Cyberbullying: «The harsher and meaner, the more likes»

Mrs Katzer, can cyberbullying be separated from classic bullying?

Cyberbullying and traditional bullying, for example in the school playground, usually run in parallel. Research shows that a third of perpetrators have been victims of bullying themselves. The internet enables them to «fight back».

But they seem to have no understanding for the suffering of the victims ...

That's how it is. Digital empathy is not there. You still have to overcome a psychological threshold to dip someone in the loo. That doesn't happen online. Acting online creates a distance to victims because you don't look them in the eye. You can't see them crying or writhing in pain on the floor.

Does cyberbullying cause more damage than bullying in the long term?

The degree of traumatisation is much higher with cyberbullying. There used to be a place of retreat at home. You could take a deep breath there. Today, both perpetrators and victims carry their smartphones with them at all times. What's more, cyberbullying has an extremely high level of publicity; the whole world can watch. The all-encompassing presence of the internet and the knowledge that it is impossible to delete all images, texts and videos are a burden.

What does this do to those affected?

We know from research that bullying and cyberbullying activate the same areas of pain in the brain as physical blows. We have many cases of cyberbullying where photos appear again and again. This means that the victim experiences this pain again and again.

Are young people really so brutal online? Or are these isolated cases?

Online aggression has clearly increased. It is becoming socially acceptable. But this is also the case for adults. Today, 20 per cent of adults in Germany are victims of cyberbullying. Bullying among work colleagues is no longer limited to the office. Incidentally, this is an issue that many companies do not talk about.

Bullying and cyberbullying activate the same areas of pain in the brain as physical blows.

The greater the number of cases, the smaller the moral concerns?

Absolutely. According to the motto: if the others are doing it, then it's the right thing to do. In cyberpsychology, we call this surrendering to the masses online. Opinions and accusations posted online merge into new content and develop a life of their own. This behaviour is then followed by a second step, which I consider to be dramatic: In this process, new attitudes are formed that are carried over into real life.

What can we do preventively?

We need to bring online use and everything that goes with it into education. The awareness that many things can be manipulated is not taught at school. We need intelligent learning concepts that go beyond the current concept of media literacy, which in my view falls short anyway.

What exactly do you mean by that?

Young people need answers to questions such as: What happens to my emotions online? Or: Why am I different online than I am in real life?

Is there a typical bullying profile for young people?

Cyberbullying affects all levels of education, with little difference between grammar school, secondary school or vocational school. However, there are certain risk factors: most perpetrators feel less competent at school and their relationship with their parents is often negatively affected.

You mentioned in the previous interview that the reward effect plays a major role in bullying. What do you mean by this?

This is a new development: conspicuous online behaviour, regardless of whether it is negative or positive, is rewarded with a «like». The harder and meaner the behaviour, the more «likes».

People cheer each other on: Who has the most brutal video?

Keyword sexism: girls and women are judged more harshly online. Can you confirm this?

Online judgement makes a clear distinction between boys and girls. If a picture appears of a girl in light clothing, she is immediately labelled a «bitch». And they say: «She photographed herself like that, it's her own fault.»

What do male cyberbullying victims tend to experience more frequently?

Boys are also exposed with defamatory, embarrassing nude photos or video material with sexual content on the internet. But it is also often the case that boys are beaten up, which is filmed and then posted online. Then people cheer each other on: Who has the most brutal video?

You write in your book about cyberbullying that girls offer more targets because of their online behaviour.

Girls tend to be more honest online. They open up on social networks, for example by talking on Facebook or in WhatsApp group chats about who they are in love with or that they want to lose weight. This makes them vulnerable.

What advice do you give parents if they realise that their child is being bullied online?

Parents need to make it clear to their child: You can trust us, we won't overreact, it's not your fault, we'll find a solution. It is important to develop a plan together, inform the internet provider and involve the school. Expert counselling can also be helpful.

And how should mothers and fathers of cyberbullies deal with the situation?

Parents need to find out what is behind the cyberattacks, whether it's problems, fears, peer pressure or their own victimisation. It is important to make it clear: Cyberbullying is not a trivial offence. Victims need apologies and help. Perpetrators must show responsibility. This is often difficult. Psychological counselling is therefore never a bad idea.