An Exploratory Study on the Consequences for Young People of Cyberbullying - The New Form of Online Violence and Aggression

Abstract

Following Thomas's (2012) observations, the early 20th century was dominated by psychological and functionalist paradigms that theorised violence as a natural inclination of human beings or as a product of social conditions; however, more recent research has moved away from both evolutionary-biological and functionalist arguments and sought to situate violence in the context of regional, state and global economic and political systems. Today, online abuse and bullying show the negative side of absence, invisibility and control, the factors that make the victim more vulnerable. It is pervasive, subtle, often uncontrollable and therefore particularly stressful violence. Bullying and cyberbullying are common in society and are caused by people who want to intentionally harm others without thinking about the consequences. In this context, parents and teachers are concerned about the effects and possible consequences of using the virtual environment on the personality, emotional and cognitive life of children. The present quantitative and exploratory research based on a questionnaire aims to identify the degree of influence of cyberbullying on the individuals surveyed, the main reasons for triggering aggressive behaviour in the virtual environment and to find solutions for how to manage the effects of cyberbullying attacks. The conclusions of the study are relevant since the online environment occupies an important place in people's routines, so that, bullying has made a transition from the real environment to the virtual one turning into cyberbullying.