For cybervictimization, boys were more likely than girls to receive cyberbullying, but this varies by types of cyberbullying. In South Korea, boys were more likely than girls to be cybervictims in cyber verbal violence, cyber defamation, and personal information drain, but in cyber sexual abuse, girls were more likely than boys to be victims at middle and high school levels (Hwang et al. 2013).

Consequences of being a victim to cyberbullying includes lowered self-esteem, low self-worth, mental health issues, increased anxiety, isolation, and in more severe cases suicide. Often, cyberbullies may feel that they are not actually hurting the victims and mitigate what effects their words and actions may have on victims. This is known as the Online Disinhibition Effect (ODE), as introduced by clinical psychologist John Suler. It is the reduction or abandonment of social restrictions and inhibitions found in normal face to face communication when using remote electronic communication. This means that individuals are more likely to say or act differently online, than they would in face to face interactions. The ODE, also explains that bullies feel that it is easier to get away with cyberbullying, than with traditional bullying.

Something worth noting is that victims of cyberbullying often feel that there is no escape. As opposed to traditional bullying, cyberbullying may be more difficult to confront, due to ease of access to the internet. This table, made by researcher Warren Dijgjo, highlights differences between cyberbullying and traditional bullying.  

 

 

On a larger context, intervention must occur early on in order to prevent the cyberbully from evolving into worse behaviors and to limit the negative effect it may have on each individual.

 

Simple steps to to combating cyberbullying, as explained by Psychologist Dewyane Scool:

1. If the Cyberbullying is school related, report it to an adult at school.
2. When you have a conflict with someone, talk to them in person. If you are concerned how that person will respond, have an adult help you talk to them.
3. Don’t open any messages from a person trying to cyberbully you. Block their access to your accounts. Report their accounts to the operators of the platforms they have bullied you on. Cyberbullying is prohibited in the Terms of Service (TOS) of most Social Media and Online Platforms, as well as on gaming systems.
4. Do not give out your phone number or passwords to anyone else. They may be used to access your accounts or to harass someone else by using your account.
5. Never forward photos, texts, or harmful words or materials to other people’s accounts. When you do, you then are an accessory and partaking in the cyberbullying even if you didn’t start it.
6. You need to keep all posts or messages sent to you that qualify as cyberbullying because they can be used for evidence in instances where legal intervention is required.