Cyber Mobs, Trolls, and Online Harassment by Kate Mikoley

Author:Kate Mikoley
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Cavendish Square Publishing, LLC
Published: 2021-06-25T00:00:00+00:00

Emotional Issues

Bullying and cyber attacks can cause serious emotional problems for victims. Some victims of cyber mobs turn to alcohol or drug abuse. Many develop depression and anxiety. Victims with depression might stay in bed and miss school or work. Some victims develop anger problems or try to go out of their way to please everyone to prevent further bullying.

Impacting Others

Even people not directly involved with online harassment can be impacted by it. Seeing so much hate online can cause post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms even in people who are not the target of a cyber mob. According to a study by the Pew Research Center, 73 percent of people said they had witnessed someone else being bullied online. Being reminded of the cruelty people are capable of can make people feel fearful without being the direct target of these words, especially if the statements could be applied to them as well. For instance, a woman who sees anti-woman messages directed at a different woman may still feel upset. Researchers and community activists who study online abuse can be affected as well. While it is a good idea to think about things before posting them online, witnessing a cyber mob attack may make people afraid to post even harmless messages.

Parents also worry that their children will be bullied online. According to another study from the Pew Research Center, 59 percent of parents surveyed said they worried at least somewhat about their teenage child being harassed or bullied online.

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