Cyber bullying, also identified as online social cruelty or electronic bullying, has been defined as "an aggressive, intentional act carried out by a group or individual, using electronic forms of contact, repeatedly and over time against a victim who cannot easily defend him or herself." Cyber bullying is bullying through technological means, such as emails, text messages, cell phone communications, or social networking websites. Cyber bullying can be environmental or motivational but always leaves it victims feeling powerless and vulnerable.
Cyber bullying is a rapidly growing trend that can be more detrimental than "traditional" forms of bullying in many ways. A key difference between cyber bullying and traditional bullying is the ability to bully without a face-to-face altercation. The bully is also invisible and not knowing who is responsible can add to a victim's insecurity. It is no longer about the one big, mean bully picking on the smaller kid in the schoolyard. Any person with an Internet connection of any kind can bully almost anyone else. Cyber bullying has the same insidious consequences as any kind of bullying, causing isolation and fear in its victims.
There is no escape from cyber bullying because it can happen any time and any place. A cyberbully victim feels like there is no safe place from cyber bullying. Even being at home in their own room will lead to a sense of insecurity and trepidation. The secrecy and anonymity of cyber bullying can add to the victims feeling of being unsafe. Victims of cyber bullying often suffer from depression and low self-esteem. They often are frightened and humiliated and feel they have nowhere to turn. They often are not even sure where the cyber bullying is coming from.
Cyber bullies become bolstered by the false feeling of being unidentified. It is anonymous, without a face-to-face confrontation. A cyber bully can stalk