A common concern regarding cyberbullying is that strangers can attack, but evidence shows significant risks associated with close connectionsCyberbullying is more likely to occur between current or former friends as well as dating partners than between teenagers who have never been friends or in a romantic relationship, according to a study. Cyberbullying, also known as cyber aggression, is defined as electronic or online behaviour intended to harm another person psychologically or damage his or her reputation. The findings showed that the likelihood of cyberbullying was approximately seven times higher between current or former friends and dating partners than between young people who had neither been friends nor dated each other. “Competition for status and esteem can be one reason behind peer cyberbullying,” Felmlee added. In most cases, the cyber aggression occurred over Facebook or text messages.

Source: The Hindu August 23, 2016 07:30 UTC