The term cyberbullying refers to one person harassing another through electronic communication. Cyberbullying can occur through text messages, audio, and images using computers, cell phones, and tablets. From a developmental perspective, the increasing ease of access to electronic devices, especially for adolescents and younger children, requires a closer look at how involvement in cyberbullying differs over the lifespan. Almost everyone uses digital communication to some degree. It is important to consider how an [Page 512]aggressive act such as cyberbullying presents itself and to better understand its prevalence, who is most at risk for being a victim or perpetrator, and what can be done to reduce its negative impact.

Risks for increasing suicidal ideation, depression, drug abuse, and other threats to well-being are all very real outcomes ...