The National Center for Education Statistics finds that 19% of students said they experienced bullying in the 2021–22 academic year. (Nces.ed.gov 2024) Bullying prevalence is affected by cultural standards and societal expectations. The rise of digital technology and social media platforms has made cyberbullying also a worldwide issue in recent years, creating new paths for harassment. Unlike traditional forms of bullying, cyberbullying crosses physical boundaries and lets offenders target victims covertly and relentlessly. With a comparison of China's and the United States' policies, this essay investigates how cultural norms and societal expectations affect bullying behavior, especially in the domains of face-to-face and cyberbullying.
Among school-age children, bullying is unwanted aggressive conduct involving a real or imagined power imbalance. (Stopbullying.gov.) Traditional bullying comes in three flavors: verbal, social, and physical. Verbal bullying includes name-calling, unwanted sexual comments, and mocking. Physical bullying is the act of kicking and punching that can physically harm the victim. Cyberbullying carries similar actions to digital environments where anonymity and online reach can intensify the damage. The National Center for Education Statistics estimates that roughly 20% of adolescents between the ages of 12 and 18 bullied others in 2019; 15% of high school students also reported being cyberbullied in that same year (National Center for Education Statistics 2019). Cultural norms profoundly influence bullying, defined as the typical expectations and principles that direct individuals within social groups (Winston Sieck, 2021). In physical and online environments, these standards shape what actions are acceptable or unacceptable. Bullying, for example, might be more prevalent yet heavily criticized in societies that value assertiveness and aggressive behavior above other values, such as tolerance of rivalry. Conversely, bullying may be less widespread but more condemned in societies prioritizing peace and collectivism (Hofstede, 1984).
The Pew Research Center claims that 59% of American teenagers have encountered some cyberbullying, with social media platforms being the most often used venue (Pew Research Center 2018). Society's expectation for "perfection" is one central element driving cyberbullying. The media and social networks have subtly changed people's expectations of others and themselves. Internet users often offer an idealized picture of themselves, which fuels unrealistic expectations of success, beauty, and lifestyle. The criteria for "perfection" result in inevitable individual comparisons. Envy, resentment, and online abuse can be driven by this need to keep a perfect digital image. People will be biased in favor of those with ideal body forms who own the top companies worldwide, etc. For example, the comments on a picture someone posts of themselves dining in a posh restaurant and sporting expensive attire are usually positive and adoring.
Alternatively, people who differ from societal norms—thin bodies, well-educated—sometimes get derogatory comments on social media. From clothes to the person herself, netizens will be critical of everything they do. These are typical instances of cyberbullying; individuals receiving such hateful remarks could feel demoralized and thus lose confidence in themselves; some even induce depression. (Vogel et al., 2014) researched social media comparisons that revealed negative self-esteem resulting from them could show up as hostile behavior toward others via cyberbullying.
Not only online but also in real life, particularly in institutions where pupils are not yet mature enough to develop a strong sense of identity, people bring these ideals of "perfection." Teenagers who differ from the "standard" may experience bullying, given the social expectations. Like everyone else, kids strive to attract positive attention from others. Some would wonder: "Will others look less on me if I do not have the same things? Everyone has bags or shoes from luxury brands." Will I still be invited to the events they organize? Should I ask my parents to get me some luxuries to fit in the group? They are following activities they first reject but only because "that is what everyone else has." This almost causes them to lose their individuality.
Now, driven by cultural norms and societal expectations, different nations have adopted various strategies to fight cyberbullying. These steps cover regulatory frameworks, educational initiatives, and technology solutions to protect sensitive groups, especially young people and teenagers.
Reflecting its focus on social harmony and shared responsibility, China fights cyberbullying using a mix of laws, education, and technology. From a legal perspective, the Chinese government has established comprehensive regulations for controlling internet behavior. Regulations in the Cybersecurity Law of 2017 make people and internet service providers responsible for detrimental online behavior, including cyberbullying (Standing Committee of the National People's Congress 2016). Furthermore, supporting the legal framework against cyberbullying (Xinhua News Agency 2020), the Civil Code of 2021 allows victims to seek legal remedies for violations of their rights happening online. The government of China has released draft legislation on the problems of online bullying, including the protection of young people and intervention for Internet addiction. With over 700 million Chinese internet users, 160 million of whom are under 19, these actions indicate that the Chinese government is giving the problems affecting so many of their young digital citizens great attention. Cybersole.org.) Schools include courses on safe internet use and the detrimental effects of physical and cyberbullying to help pupils address offline bullying. China also boasts advanced content screening and monitoring technologies to enable fast identification and handling of cyberbullying. Regulatory bodies, including the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC, 2019), mandate that platforms employ real-name registration and promptly remove harmful content. These steps are a component of a broader endeavor to maintain social order and stop internet violence from proliferating.
On the other hand, the U.S. gives individual rights and obligations substantial attention and fights cyberbullying via laws, educational initiatives, and digital literacy programs. Educational campaigns like those pushed by StopBullying.gov focus on raising awareness of the risks of cyberbullying and arming parents, teachers, and students to thwart and handle online abuse (StopBullying.gov, n.d.).
Along with its preventive initiatives, the United States stresses the need for digital literacy and appropriate online activity. Like China, U.S. schools have included digital citizenship courses to teach children about the moral use of technology and the consequences of cyberbullying. These programs foster an online culture of respect and responsibility in keeping with society's expectations of personal responsibility and the defense of liberties.
Reflecting their cultural and legal variances, China and the United States use different approaches to fight cyberbullying. Strict government supervision and prompt content removal define China's strategy, which is successful but raises questions about censorship and personal liberties (Qiang, 2019). While excessive regulation poses risks, this is consistent with China's communal values. The U.S. depends more on federal laws, educational initiatives, and digital literacy campaigns, giving individual liberties great importance. Considering the fragmented nature of state enforcement and legislative frameworks, the total effect of U.S. efforts to lower cyberbullying could be limited. This approach has problems because of its fragmented nature, even if it promotes freedom of expression.
Bullying and cyberbullying are seen and handled differently all around, depending much on cultural standards and societal expectations. While the United States stresses individual rights and educational programs, China's strategy stresses group accountability and rigorous control. Nevertheless, both approaches have difficulties: China's strategy risks violating personal liberties, while the U.S. battles with the disjointed application of its law. Honoring cultural values and human rights can provide more sensible and sensitive solutions. Along with localized modifications that consider particular cultural contexts, global frameworks that support cross-border sharing of best practices will help close the distance between these different methods and foster digital literacy and empathy throughout educational institutions. Understanding and combining these cultural subtleties will help us create more all-encompassing plans that stop cyberbullying and foster a worldwide online society of inclusion and respect. The advancement of social justice in our ever-linked digital environment depends on this dedication to sophisticated, culturally conscious solutions.
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