Introduction

There were relatively few systematic studies of bullying before the 1970s, but some characteristics of bullying could still be identified - old sociology books and newspapers from the 18th and 19th centuries in some countries described patterns of bullying (Asia Pacific Education Review, 2007). Bullying is defined as behavior by individuals that is aggressive and causes injury or discomfort to others (APA, n.d.). 

In 2021–22, about 19 percent of students ages 12 to 18 reported being bullied at school, and 22 percent reported being bullied online (NCES, 2024). Despite the prevalence and severity of the issue, many adults still perceive bullying as “just part of being a kid,”. Although many believe that bullying only occurs during childhood, it is not true. In fact, almost a third of adult Americans report being bullied, but 43% feel that adult bullying has become a normal and acceptable part of their lives (Verywell Mind, 2023). Therefore, bullying is an issue not only in schools and online but also in the community that people spend every-day lives in. In this essay, community will be discussed as the workplace, hence workplace bullying will be considered the third type of bullying. This essay aim to explore the following questions:

I. What has led to the unprecedented spike in bullying cases?

II. How does bullying differ in schools, online, or in the general community, and what are its consequences?

III. Can bullying be eliminated? If so, how?

What has led to the unprecedented spike in bullying cases?

In general, bullying arises in various causes, mostly due to bullies’ desire to control others, to raise their social status, to feel better about themselves, and other psychological reasons. In some cases, the underlying reason behind bullying behavior is that the bullies themselves are often struggling with their well being. Bullies often have low self-esteem, lack moral compass, feel frustrated or jealous, and struggle socially. That being said, some bullies may simply want to get their way (Healthdirect, n.d.), or some may enjoy conflict and aggression (Healthdirect, n.d.). Although some bullies act thoughtlessly rather than intently, they still cause neglectable impairs on the victims.

Apart from the general causes, bullying in school, online, and community have some differences in their underlying causes. Bullying cases are on the rise, both in school and online, from 2016 to 2019 (Cyberbullying, 2019). However, most of the reason for school bullying is that the bullies usually have difficulty adjusting to school and accepting academic failures (Britannica, 2024), because of which they turn to seek happiness and a sense of achievement from causing pain to their classmates. And for online bullying, the constant connectivity to the web with constant technological advancement creates nearly limitless opportunities for cyberbullying (CONNECTIONS ACADEMY, 2022). To make matters worse, this not only creates opportunities for bullying but also teaches people how to bully while browsing the Internet. In the workplace, bullying is often caused by frustration and dissatisfaction with the work environment, such as noise, overcrowding and high work pressure (North Dakota State University, n.d.), and bullying may deteriorate due to passive bystanders and even support from senior management (Scispace, 2024). 

How does bullying differ in schools, online, or in the general community, and what are its consequences?

With the spike in bullying cases, there are more and more people suffering from depression or even suicide due to it. The severity has brought more attention to this issue. Although the harm and impact of different bullying cases are all similar, bullying under different circumstances differ in methods of bullying and population of victims.

I. Bullying in school

The term "school bullying" emerged in the mid-1970s, and is defined as aggressive behavior among school age (StopBullying, 2023). It occurs when a child or a group of children misuse their power to hurt or intimidate others. It can take various forms, including verbal bullying, physical bullying, and social or relational bullying (Western Cape Government, 2018). The impact of school bullying has become significant, and parents are beginning to pay more attention to this issue. Early research indicates that the prevalence of school bullying increases rapidly as children age, peaks during early adolescence, and then declines in later adolescence (Britannica, 2024). However, school bullying can have lifelong effects on bullies, victims, and witnesses, including psychological, physical, and academic consequences.

The results of studies on children who witness bullying vary depending on whether they have intervened in the bullying or not. Some research has found that witnesses of bullying may feel anxious and insecure due to their fear of the bullying incident (StopBullying, 2017). On the other hand, children and adolescents engaged in bullying both as bullies and victims are at the greatest risk of experiencing negative mental and physical health consequences. These individuals may suffer from academic difficulties, a range of psychological problems, negative self-perceptions, poor social skills, behavioral issues, and peer rejection (StopBullying, 2017). Compared to their peers who have not been directly involved in bullying, they face a higher risk of serious mental illness, suicidal thoughts and attempts, and increased aggression (StopBullying, 2017). Therefore, exposure to bullying—whether as the victim, bully or witness—has long-term, negative impact on children.

II. Bullying in online

The term "cyberbullying" emerged in the English language in 1998. Cyberbullying is defined as the electronic posting of mean-spirited messages about a person or a group of people, often done anonymously (Merriam-Webster, n.d.). By the mid-2000s, smartphones had become ubiquitous (Study, 2023), enabling people to be online during all hours of the day. Cyberbullying occurs for many of the similar reasons as other types of bullying, but it is even more prevalent because it can be done anonymously. There are various types of cyberbullying, which include cyberstalking, trolling, and hate raids. Moreover, cyberstalking involves using electronic means of communication to engage in harassment activities and incite fear in the victim, and trolls are individuals or bots that deliberately seek to provoke reactions from others online, often targeting both popular figures and those on the social fringes (Social Media Victims Law Center, 2023).

Many people initially regard cyberbullying as an ineffective form of bullying because it couldn't cause physical harm, but it can be detrimental to a person's mental health (Australian Human Rights Commission, n.d.). It negatively impacts both victims and perpetrators. Victims may experience severe social isolation and feel unsafe. This can lead to emotional harm, loss of self-esteem, feelings of shame and anxiety, poor concentration, and learning difficulties (Australian Human Rights Commission, n.d.). For the bullies, it can result in persistent antisocial or criminal behavior and legal consequences (Australian Human Rights Commission, n.d.). Therefore, exposure to cyberbullying, whether as a victim or perpetrator, has long-term negative effects.

III. Bullying in the community

The term "community bullying" has emerged as a crucial issue in the public sector, with some government agencies taking an active interest to safeguard against it. During the early to mid-1990s, American researchers began studying psychologically abusive behaviors at work and the harm they cause (ASIS, 2017). However, another driver of interest in the private sector was the growing concern about the costs of workplace bullying to a company’s benefit (ASIS, 2017).

Even today, community bullying occurs four times more often than sexual harassment in U.S. organizations, and the associated costs to businesses are four times higher (ASIS, 2017). Workplace bullying always occurs in the form of abuse or misuse of power in front of others, such as behavior that intimidates, demeans, offends, or humiliates employees or co-workers. It also includes the behavior that causes harm by threatening someone’s job status, self-confidence, or ability to work (UoFL, n.d.) The magnitude of the problem necessitates that employers implement reasonable care programs as a response. According to findings from 12 studies by the NIH, approximately 11 percent of workers are affected by workplace bullying. Victims are usually blue-collar and unskilled workers, though there are also gender, self causes, and management factors involved. Workplace bullying may lead to psychological, medical, and socioeconomic consequences. The psychological consequences include increased mental distress, sleep disturbances, fatigue, lack of vigor, depression and anxiety, adjustment disorders, and even work-related suicide (NIH, 2015). The medical consequences include an increase in health complaints such as neck pain, musculoskeletal issues, acute pain, fibromyalgia, and cardiovascular symptoms. The socioeconomic consequences include absenteeism due to sick days and unemployment (NIH, 2015). However, patients are reluctant to reveal workplace maltreatment due to embarrassment or fears of retribution, leading many to overlook the issue of workplace bullying. Therefore, exposure to bullying in the community has long-term negative effects.

Can bullying be eliminated? If so, how?

Given its severe consequences, bullying still remains to be a significant issue today: it can only be suppressed, but not eliminated. To prevent school bullying, teachers should emphasize on the importance of kindness and empathy, create opportunities for connections with peers, identify gateway behaviors, and minimize ‘concentric circles’ to stop the spread of bullying from the leadership level down to students (Lesley University, n.d.). Parents can communicate with and listen to their child calmly, teach appropriate coping methods, and discuss the consequences of bullying (UNICEF, n.d.). The guidance from teachers and parents are very helpful to prevent bullying in school because they are the people children trust and rely on the most.

Secondly, to prevent cyberbullying, individuals can protect their passwords, keep clear records, avoid responding or retaliating to hateful messages, block cyberbullies through user settings, report cyberbullying to site administrators, and stay safe online (UNICEF, 2024). Victims should report to law enforcement if they are threats of violence, child pornography or sending sexually explicit messages or photos, or taking a photo or video of someone in a place where he or she would expect privacy (StopBullying, 2024). Cyberbullying is one of the least costly forms of bullying, because the bully can make the victim suffer psychological harm through their own verbal attacks. Therefore, if the victim of bullying feels any discomfort, they need to communicate more with friends or family members, and contact the law enforcement. Also, to complicate issues, efforts by state and federal lawmakers to combat cyberbullying by criminalizing it may be effective. For example, a recent ruling in New York that declared a cyberbullying law unconstitutional on the grounds of freedom of speech (THE LAW DICTIONARY, n.d.). 

Thirdly, to prevent community bullying, leaders can inform employees that harassment is prohibited, identify contacts for discussing harassment questions or concerns, respond to and investigate harassment complaints promptly and effectively, and ensure that managers understand their responsibility to stop, address, and prevent harassment (Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, n.d.). If workers have been bullied or harassed at work, they can resign and seek termination of their employment relationship through an employment tribunal (Smart Pension, n.d.). When being bullied at work, people can use the law to protect themselves as much as possible. 

Therefore, although bullying cannot be completely eradicated, there are many ways to prevent it from happening and hence lowering the bullying rates, such as through education, reporting to authorities, and legal protections, especially if bullying has caused substantial harm.

Conclusion

The consequences of bullying in the three different environments—schools, online, and the community—are similar to each other, but different ways are used to harm others. Bullying in school, children against their peers through verbal and behavioral aggression. In online bullying, bullies victimize their victims through comments and verbal attacks online. In the community such as the workplace, superiors or colleagues will hurt victims through verbal attacks and malicious comments using their powers at work. Although there are many ways to prevent bullying, it is difficult for existing victims to be cured from mental illnesses caused by bullying. Therefore, more research can be done on the solutions concerning different situations of bullying.

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