“Bullying has enormous consequences for the victim. For example, they do not feel safe for a moment.” This is what Sara Pabian, lecturer in communication sciences at Tilburg University, says. Pabian investigates the long-term consequences of cyberbullying. “Today’s young people are the first to be bullied online.” Her conclusion is that the consequences are more severe than ever before.
Bullying is probably as old as humanity. We don’t know for sure because research has only been done since the 1970s. From stories from ancient times and also from the Bible it can be concluded that bullying was already taking place then.
We now live in a period in which bullying is not limited to exclusion, ignoring, name-calling or abuse. Since the internet you can also be ignored, belittled and threatened via your computer or telephone. “I spoke to the first generation who have experienced all sides of bullying. These victims suffer from insecurity, anxiety and depression even more and for longer than previous generations.”
“The bystander plays an important role in bullying behavior.”
Cyberbullying also often takes place around the schoolyard, where many children are condemned to each other whether or not they get along well with each other. Sometimes nude photos are forwarded, someone’s head is stuck on someone else’s body and recently there are also the Gossip Girl accounts on TikTok. All kinds of gossip is spread, which is sometimes even consciously untrue. The consequences are far-reaching.
Pabian also examines the role of fellow students. “It then turns out that anyone who has witnessed bullying but does not intervene is even less likely to take action the next time. They become increasingly insensitive.” This even goes as far as students sending photos, videos or apps. This even makes them complicit in the bullying behavior.
This insensitivity of other students is dangerous because it gives the bully more and more room to bully. “The bullying problem can only be solved if it is massively disapproved. That is why it is important that as many people as possible become aware of the enormous consequences that bullying has for the target, so that it is not tolerated.”
“Bystanders often do not intervene because they are afraid of becoming a victim themselves.”
Condemning bullying is easier said than done. Sara has also done research into this. “Bystanders often do not intervene because they are afraid of becoming a victim themselves or because they do not know how to intervene.”
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