Cyberbullying has become one of the most major topics among young people today, with startling figures showing how widespread it really is. Sadly, according to a recent eSafety survey, over half of all Australian children aged between 10 and 17 (53%) have experienced cyberbullying. Perhaps most shockingly of all, 46% of these pedestrian deaths are children 13 years or younger. The internet protects people with anonymity, and the fear of public judgment is removed as a consequence. Retaliators frequently use fake identities in order to commit these acts with greater anonymity.
Given the growing prevalence of cyberbullying and cybertrolling, what do we know about what works to prevent them? According to experts, knowing the psychological characteristics linked to transgressive behavior can help us learn how to further shape mitigation strategies. Educators and parents should watch out for young people who exhibit personality traits associated with cyberbullying, including narcissism, Machiavellianism, psychopathy, and sadism. This increased awareness will allow them to better chew the bone.
The Anonymity Factor
Among these elements, anonymity is one of the most prevalent factors that has led to a boom in cyberbullying. The internet offers young people a degree of anonymity where they can hide behind fictitious identities, which emboldens them to mass hurt others without thinking about the implications. This anonymity incites not only cyberbullying but also cybertrolling, the act of intentionally provoking or upsetting others on the internet.
The real rub is the ease with which dangerous actors can create false or fake accounts. Perpetrators work in a bubble of invisibility, limiting victims from easily knowing or reporting their attacker. This absence of accountability can enable a cycle of harassment, burdening victims with feelings of isolation and hopelessness.
Parents & schools are already on the defensive with screen time limits to shield kids from cyberbullying & predatory online behavior. This tactic has grown in popularity over the past few years. This does not necessarily get to the root of it, which are inherently unstable personality traits that lead to cyberbullying and cybertrolling. Rather, a deeper understanding of the protective and risk-oriented nature of these traits might help develop prevention programs that are more precise and effective.
Personality Traits Linked to Cyberbullying
Research indicates that personality traits such as narcissism, Machiavellianism, psychopathy, and sadism are often linked to cyberbullying and cybertrolling behaviors. Each of these traits adds unique factors that can impact someone’s likelihood to engage in negative online behavior.
Narcissism, at least in the psychological sense, is mainly defined by an exaggerated sense of self-importance and entitlement. People with this personality type are more likely to cyberbully others as a way of exerting power over their peers. Likewise, Machiavellianism is characterized by interpersonal manipulation with the intention of furthering one’s own agenda while undermining the welfare of others. Those people with this trait might see cyberbullying as an effective means of manipulation and control.
Psychopathy is another trait associated with cyberbullying. Traits associated with psychopathy include lack of impulse control, narcissism, and diminished empathy. This kind of behavior only emboldens them to take part in poisonous cyberbullying, without an ounce of consideration for the emotional toll on the people they bully. Third, cyberbullying is sometimes fueled by sadism — enjoyment derived from inflicting pain on others.
These personality traits are closely related to each other and can manifest in different ways, making the world of online harassment even more complex. Knowing the adequate relationships among these variables is needed in order to create specific treatment and prevention efforts.
Insights from Recent Research
Our new national survey canvassed the social media habits of 189 young Australians aged 16 – 19 years who use social media. This study advances our understanding about the complex dynamics of cyberbullying. The results show that personality traits play a direct role in shaping who becomes an online harasser. They also decide who gets killed by it.
This study offers a very important piece of good news. Interventions that narrowly focus on reducing screen time are unlikely to address root causes behind cyberbullying. Rather, it emphasizes the need to focus on personality factors that make people more likely to harm others on social media.
Educators and mental health professionals would do well to think about how we can bring measures of these traits into the school environment. By identifying students who may be at risk due to their personality profiles, schools can implement proactive measures to foster empathy, promote healthy online interactions, and ultimately reduce cyberbullying incidents.