The impact of cyber bullying is similar to traditional schoolyard bullying — it causes significant physical, emotional, and psychological distress. The consequences of cyber bullying are also far reaching and affect everyone involved. Bullied kids suffer short-term (anxiety and fear) and long-term negative effects (depression, low self-esteem, and compromised educational opportunities).

And the children who bully suffer from short- (maladaptive social interactions) and long-term problems (increased criminality, dysfunctional relationships, and alcohol and substance abuse). But in addition to the customary effects of traditional bullying, cyber bullying has some unique and disturbing additional effects.

The Bullying Can Be Anonymous

When a child bullies your child at school, at least she is a known entity. Your child knows who she is, what she looks like, and can try to avoid her as much as possible. In a cyber bullying situation, your child may never learn the identity of the bully. This can add to your child's distress.

The Bullying Can Be Relentless

When your child is bullied at school, she knows that at three o'clock she can go home and the bullying will end. She knows that she is safe on weekends, holidays, and during the summer. This knowledge gives your child a few breaks from the stress and worry of being bullied. When she is being cyber bullied, there are no breaks or holidays. The cyber bully can wreak havoc all hours of the day, every day of the week.

Equal Opportunity Bullying

It doesn't take any special physical strength or social prowess to bully someone online. And it doesn't take a great deal of courage. Anyone who has a cell phone or a computer with Internet access can bully another child. The problem with this is that many kids who wouldn't normal bully a peer might be tempted to do so when it is so easy to accomplish.