Bystander intervention to cyberbullying on social media

The proliferation of digital technology has influenced the growth of social media platforms and applications, transforming the way young people interact online. The global rise of social media also presents unintended consequences for young people, which can influence and impact their behavior. Cyberbullying is a serious issue among young people that use social media. This chapter will initially address the origins of cyberbullying from a definitional standpoint, leading into an overview of cyberbullying. A review on the prevalence of cyberbullying on social media will shed light on the extent of the problem and the vulnerability of young people who witness cyberbullying when they use social media. This chapter will then review the role of those that witness cyberbullying on social media platforms, bystanders. The current research findings covering the different factors that influence bystander intervention will be discussed. Finally, this chapter will formulate practical recommendations to combat the challenge of cyberbullying on social media and provide suggestions for how young people should act on social media to reduce their and others’ vulnerability.