The Impact of Online Shaming on Young Lives

[David Baxter PhD]

The Impact of Online Shaming on Young Lives
by Dr Sue Scheff, Psychology Today
September 24, 2017

With the rise of incivility today, there?s no doubt that America?s youth are being effected by their virtual life. Whether it?s sacrificing a college placement or being cyberbullied by their peers, it?s clear that social media can have serious downside to digital communications.

A recent survey by ReportLinker questioned teens and young adults between the ages of 13 and 24 to understand more about how social media impacts their lives.

It?s often easy to hide behind a quick text, snap, post or tweet ? but the lasting effects can have a devastating effect on teens and their families.

In a 2015 survey released by Vodafone, 43 percent of teens believe that cyberbullying is a bigger problem than drug abuse.

So when we hear phrases such as,death by humiliation, it?s not a joke.

According to the survey:

• 41% of teens said cyberbullying made them feel sad, helpless and depressed
• 26% felt completely alone
• 18% experienced suicidal thoughts
• 21% stay home from school due to cyberbullying
• 38% don?t tell their parents they are being harassed online

Not telling their parents or an adult is an issue that has concerned experts and advocates for a long time. The reasons why kids don?t tell can range from the fear of having their life-line removed (being shut-down from the Internet), to being ashamed of what is happening online, to retaliation from the bully (being called a snitch by friends).

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