Cyberbullying and Eating Disorders
Posted on: April 7th, 2018
Unfortunately bullying has become commonplace throughout schools, homes, communities and especially on social media platforms (cyberbullying). The Cyberbullying Research Center reports that “approximately half of young people have experienced some form of cyberbullying, and 10 to 20 percent experience it regularly.” While some dismiss the behavior as “harmless” and “character-building” research presents a different reality. Those being bullied can develop low self-esteem, anxiety, depression, PTSD symptoms, and eating disorders. While cyberbullying may not be the sole reason an individual develops an eating disorder it is a strong contributing factor, alongside other biological, psychological and social vulnerabilities.
The rise in cyberbullying incidents comes as no surprise when you consider that social media has been embraced on a massive scale. More than 80 million photos are shared on Instagram daily, 500,0000 “Likes” on Facebook every minute, 500 million Tweets per day and 9,000 photo “Snaps” on Snapchat every second. While much of this content is people connecting in a healthy way, some of it is the spreading of harmful rumors and personal attacks including body shaming.
According to the National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) “While body shaming and cyberbullying are not new concepts, with the advent of social media people have more platforms and opportunities to make harmful comments about one’s weight and appearance.” The results are alarming with NEDA reporting that “as many as 65 percent of people with eating disorders say cyberbullying contributed to their condition.”
Cyberbullying cannot be eliminated, but steps can be taken to protect yourself:
- Make sure you keep your passwords secure; don’t share them with anyone, even friends you believe to be trustworthy.
- Use the privacy-enhancing features and “blocking” features that many social networks include. You can also report users who engage in bullying behavior.
- Be careful about what you post online or send in an email, remembering that once it’s online, it’s permanent—and not necessarily private.
- Don’t respond to bullies, as your response can be repurposed and used against you.
- In extreme cases, you might consider changing your social media handles, your email address, or even your phone number in order to escape bullies.
If you’ve been bullied and have developed an eating disorder seek professional help immediately. Contact Maureen Kritzer-Lange Psychotherapy. Email: info@maureenkritzerlange.com or phone: 973-313-1691.
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