In recent decades, there have been numerous technological advances. Due to the availability of such advances, the use of this technology, particularly the use of Internet, is overwhelmingly present in our society for people of all ages. For instance, 93% of teenagers, ages 12 through 17 use the Internet, matching the 93% of young adults. Whereas, 74% of adults, ages 18 and older, use the Internet (Lenhart et al, 2010). Studies found that adult users over the age of 18 consider the Internet as a means of completing tasks such as shopping and paying bills, in comparison to those under the age of 18 who considers it a tool for social connections (Bhat, 2008).
About 73% of teenagers and young adults as well as 47% of adults use social networks, the most commonly used being Facebook (Lenhart et al., 2010). The use of the Internet is not only limited to that of computers considering cell phones now offer mobile Internet. A large number of the population have cellphones, with 58% of 12 years old, 75% of teenagers, and 93% of adults owning cell phones (Lenhart et al, 2010). With advances in technology and its increased use, we have become perpetually in contact with one another, opening ourselves up to a new form of bullying: cyber bullying. As a recently recognized form of bullying, cyber bullying also referred to as electronic or Internet bullying, is defined as “the use of information and communication technologies to support deliberate, repeated, and hostile behavior by an individual or group that is intended to harm others” (Belsey, n.
d., p. 8; Bonanno & Hymel, 2013). Cyber bullying is characterized by intimidation, harassment, victimization, and aggression toward others that occurs through email, chat rooms, instant messages, webs. .Journal of Education, 40(3).
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