Abstract

GARCIA-MALDONADO, Gerardo; JOFFRE-VELAZQUEZ, Victor Manuel; MARTINEZ-SALAZAR, Gerardo Jesús  and  LLANES-CASTILLO, Arturo. Cyberbullying: A Virtual Way of Bullying. rev.colomb.psiquiatr. [online]. 2011, vol.40, n.1, pp.115-130. ISSN 0034-7450.

Introduction: With the development of new technologies interactions between people are becoming faster and more effective. Unfortunately, this means that traditional bullying has moved from the schoolyard to a virtual form giving rise to cyberbullying. Objective: To describe and define the characteristics of cyberbullying, to show some aspects inherent in traditional bullying, and to review the differences between the two phenomena. Methods: Computerized search of information using electronic databases. Results: About 40% of students have had some contact with cyberbullying and it is estimated that one in four students is involved in this problem. The risk of being cyberbullied is doubled if they have a profile on a social network. 50% of victims do not tell anybody about the problem, which means a higher risk of being cyberbullied again. The most severe consequences produced by cyberbullying are depression, suicidal ideation, and suicidal or homicidal attempts. Conclusions: The practice of cyberbullying is currently an important problem in homes and schools that must be treated in an integral manner, giving priority to prevention and early identification.

Keywords : nternet; bullying; cellular phone.

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