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Working Together
Making the
Greater Five Towns
A Drug-Free Community
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CYBERBULLYING AND
TEEN SUBSTANCE ABUSE
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Bullying and substance abuse are often connected because emotional issues are at the root of most teen substance abuse.
The widespread use of technology, such as cellphones and computers, has created a new type of bullying called “cyberbullying” which can be especially destructive to the self-esteem of the person being bullied.
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- Most people have experienced some form of bullying, and others — even if they don’t want to admit it — have participated in the bullying of others.
- Bullying is aggressive, deliberate and unwanted behavior involving a real or perceived imbalance of power. Bullying is common and easy to spot amongst school-age children but also exists to varying degrees in the adult world.
- Other problems include an increased risk of mental health problems and physical health complaints. Some consequences of bullying are permanent and last into adulthood.
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What is Cyberbullying ?
Cyberbullying refers to a type of bullying that is facilitated through modern technology. This can include social media and texting just to name two examples. The problem is a common one.
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The lack of physical proximity of a victim and their bully does not reduce the harmful effects associated with this type of bullying.
In fact, the ease of use that technology allows can make this kind of bullying more pronounced and more severe in its content.
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Being targeted by cyberbullies is crushing especially if a lot of kids are participating in the bullying. Sometimes the stress of dealing with cyberbullying can cause kids to feel like the situation is more than they can handle.
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Victims of cyberbullying often find it difficult to feel safe. They feel vulnerable and powerless. Typically, this is because the
bullying
can invade their home through a computer or cell phone at any time of day. They no longer have a place where they can escape. To a victim, it feels like bullying is everywhere.
Additionally, because the bullies can remain anonymous, this can escalate feelings of fear. Kids who are targeted have no idea who is inflicting the pain—although some cyberbullies choose people they know.
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Because cyberbullying occurs in cyberspace, online bullying feels permanent. Kids know that once something is out there, it will always be out there. They feel exposed.
When cyberbullying occurs, the nasty posts, messages or texts can be shared with multitudes of people. The sheer volume of people that know about the bullying can lead to intense feelings of humiliation.
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Cyberbullying often attacks victims where they are most vulnerable. Targets of bullying may feel intense dissatisfaction with who they are. As a result, targets of cyberbullying often begin to doubt their worth and value. They may respond to these feelings by harming themselves in some way.
For instance, if a girl is called fat, she may begin a crash diet with the belief that if she alters how she looks then the bullying will stop. Other times victims will try to change something about their appearance or attitude in order to avoid additional cyberbullying.
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Sometimes victims of cyberbullying will get angry about what is happening to them. As a result, they plot revenge and engage in retaliation.
This approach is dangerous because it keeps them locked in the
bully-victim cycle
. It is always better to forgive a bully than it is to get even.
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When cyberbullying is ongoing, victims often relate to the world around them differently than others. For many, life can feel hopeless and meaningless.
They lose interest in things they once enjoyed and spend less time interacting with family and friends. And, in some cases, depression and thoughts of suicide can set in. They may also feel disinterested in school. Cyberbullying victims often have much higher rates of absenteeism at school than non-bullied kids.2 They skip school to avoid facing the kids bullying them or because they are embarrassed and humiliated by the messages that were shared.
Their grades suffer, too, because they find it difficult to concentrate or study because of the anxiety and stress the bullying causes. And in some cases, kids will either drop out of school or lose interest in continuing their education after high school.
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Cyberbullying sometimes causes teens to be excluded and
ostracized
at school. The child may feel alone and isolated. This experience is particularly painful because friends are crucial at this age. When kids don’t have friends, this can lead to more bullying.
What's more, when cyberbullying occurs, most people recommend shutting off the computer or turning off the cell phone. But, for teens, this often means cutting off communication with their world. Their phones and their computers are one of the most important ways they communicate with others. If that option for communication is removed, they can feel secluded and cut off from their world.
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Victims of cyberbullying often succumb to anxiety, depression and other stress-related conditions. This occurs primarily because cyberbullying erodes their self-confidence and
self-esteem
.
Additionally, the added stress of coping with cyberbullying on a regular basis erodes their feelings of happiness and contentment.
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When kids are cyberbullied, they often experience headaches, stomachaches or other physical ailments. The stress of bullying also can cause stress-related conditions like stomach ulcers and skin conditions.
Additionally, kids who are cyberbullied may experience changes in eating habits like skipping meals or binge eating. And their sleep patterns may be impacted. They may suffer from insomnia, sleep more than usual or experience nightmares.
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Cyberbullying increases the risk of
suicide
. Kids that are constantly tormented by peers through text messages, instant messaging, social media, and other outlets, often begin to feel hopeless.
They may even begin to feel like the only way to escape the pain is through suicide. As a result, they may fantasize about ending their life in order to escape their tormentors.
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- If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call 911.
- If your child is being cyberbullied, do not dismiss their feelings. Be sure you communicate daily, take steps to help end the torment and keep close tabs on changes in mood and behavior.
- Get your child evaluated by a health care professional if notice any personality changes at all.
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Teens who are more
at risk
of bullying are those
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- Less popular or have fewer friends
- Are viewed as different by peers, like differences in weight, clothes, ethnicity or race
- Have a mental health issue like depression or anxiety
- Have trouble socializing with peers
- Are seen as weak, physically or emotionally
Teens with an increased risk that they will exhibit bullying behavior are those:
- Aggressive or easily frustrated
- Have friends who are bullies
- Have trouble at home, like violence and bullying by siblings or parents
- Have trouble following rules
- View violence positively
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Types of Bullying Behavior &
Teen Substance Abuse
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Bullying behavior falls into a few different broad categories. Verbal, physical and relational bullying has been recognized for years, but
cyberbullying
is an emerging category
- Verbal Bullying: Using teasing or name-calling to cause emotional damage to a victim. Bullies may taunt and threaten harm, or older bullies and adults may make inappropriate sexual comments.
- Physical Bullying: Can involve hitting, kicking or pinching. Bullies might also trip or push a victim or break or damage their possessions.
- Relational Bullying: Also called social bullying. This type of bullying revolves around making someone feel excluded or unwanted from a group. Bullies may spread embarrassing rumors or tell other children not to be friends with the victim.
- Cyberbullying: Has arisen with the emergence of technology, like computers and cell phones. The imbalance of power in cyberbullying varies from traditional forms of bullying because it involves an imbalance in knowledge, proficiency or the possession of potentially embarrassing content.
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Bullying has been linked to higher rates
of substance abuse.
Kids and teens who bully others are at a higher risk of substance abuse, as well as problems in school and violence later in life and also experience higher rates of substance abuse and mental health issues.
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Recognizing Teen Victims of Bullying
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- Recognizing the symptoms and effects of bullying is critical because kids and teens often do not report bullying.
- They may fear retaliation from the bully or that they will appear “weak” if they report it. People also feel shame about being the victim of bullying and may refuse to talk about it.
- For this reason, recognizing the signs of a bully victim are critical.
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- Lost or destroyed books, clothing, electronics or other items
- Not wanting to attend school or skipping school
- Poor eating habits or stomach aches
- Low self-esteem
- Self-harm behaviors or suicidal thoughts
- Sudden loss of friends or avoidance of social situations
- Sudden or new loneliness, depression or anxiety
- Trouble sleeping with or without nightmares
- Trouble with grades
- Unexplained injuries
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If you know or suspect your child or teen may be being bullied, misusing substances, or may be having mental health issues,
please reach out to:
Saving Lives Five Towns Drug & Alcohol Coalition
We are here to ensure you have the
information and support you need.
To Join Our Community Coalition
please contact:
Susan Blauner, Director Substance Abuse Prevention,
Awareness and Education
516.569.6733
"bringing about community awareness to address youth mental health and addiction issues and to reduce youth drug and alcohol misuse through education, media advocacy, increased enforcement and changes in policies."
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