The Internet has become a communication and information sharing tool that allows individuals to easily access all kinds of information and to communicate quickly with other individuals regardless of distance. Although the rapid development of the Internet makes human life easier in many ways, the ease and widespread access and the increase in the duration of Internet use have also started to bring up the negativities related to the Internet. While some individuals limit their internet use in line with their needs, it has begun to be observed that some users cannot make this limitation and face losses in their business, social and academic lives due to use that cannot be limited. Internet use allows people to conduct research in areas of interest and even improve their social relationships. However, the increase in internet usage time has revealed the problem of internet addiction. Internet addiction manifests itself with symptoms such as the inability to limit internet use, continuing to use it despite its social or academic harms, and feeling anxious when access to the internet is restricted. In addition, studies have shown that cyberbullying and cyber victimization increases with the increase in internet usage time.
When individuals engage in harmful behavior towards each other using technology, it is called "cyberbullying". Cyberbullying is defined as the malicious and repeated use of information and communication technologies by an individual or group to harm other individuals. It is seen that cyber bullying behaviors occur via SMS, taking videos and pictures via mobile phone camera, disturbing other individuals with mobile phones, in chat rooms, via e-mail, during instant messaging or through websites. It is known that cyberbullying has become widespread worldwide with the widespread use of information and communication technologies and in parallel with the negativities experienced in communication processes between individuals. When some studies conducted in different countries are examined, it is seen that cyber bullying incidents It seems to be a significant problem in schools.
Cyber bullying victims may show the following symptoms; suddenly stopping using the computer, appearing anxious when e-mails or instant messages appear on the computer screen, appearing angry or depressed after using the computer, appearing uncomfortable going to school or going out in general, avoiding talking about what you are doing on the computer
withdrawing from friends
and family like never before. Symptoms of cyber bullying aggression are; turning off the computer or program when someone
approaches, using the computer all night, being abnormally irritable when unable to use the computer, laughing excessively while using the computer, avoiding talking about what he is doing on the computer, having more than one online account or accounts that are not his
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The addicted individual, the individual's family and the society have certain duties and responsibilities in preventing internet addiction and cyberbullying. It is more important to prevent this situation before the individual becomes addicted, rather than the treatment process after the individual becomes addicted. The convenience and cheapness of internet access that society provides to individuals further increases their tendency to the internet. Therefore, controls should be provided regarding the amount of use and purpose of use in places where the individual accesses the internet, such as family, school, internet cafe. Providing opportunities such as doing sports and participating in cultural events in the individual's social circle can prevent the individual from spending too much time on the internet. It may be more difficult to prevent addiction if the individual cannot receive emotional support from his or her family and the social activities around the individual are inadequate. Alternative opportunities should be provided for the time the individual will spend on the internet, and adequate emotional support should be given, especially by the family.
In addition, when adolescents who show cyberbullying behavior are considered within the characteristics of their life period (as in Ericson's psychosocial development periods), ; It is known that they are in the period of identity formation by exhibiting behaviors such as proving themselves, asserting their independence and showing power. Parents and schools are In line with the nature of the situation, they should attach importance to studies such as providing opportunities where adolescents can prove themselves in a healthier way and creating environments where they can experience the feeling of success in real life.
All research on the subject agrees that family and school have an important place in preventing cyberbullying and internet addiction. Within the family, parents can first observe children's internet usage habits. For example, hiding what they do in the virtual environment, spending time on the internet until late at night, being angry or upset after using the internet, moving away from the immediate environment or not wanting to go to school are among the symptoms caused by cyberbullying among young people. Instead of banning computer or internet use, parents should prefer to talk to their children about proper internet use, internet safety or risky behavior in the virtual environment. It is predicted that parents who choose to act this way will seek help from their own parents instead of others in the event of a possible cyberbullying incident, and therefore will suffer less harm.
Schools also have important duties in preventing cyberbullying. Research emphasizes that cyberbullying prevention programs should include school administration, school psychological counselors and teachers, that is, the whole school. First of all, school administration should not tolerate cyberbullying. However, the school administration should underline that cyberbullying behaviors that occur inside or outside the school have legal consequences and that students are responsible for these consequences. School psychological counselors and teachers can prepare seminars, posters, videos or presentations that can be used in the classroom to raise students' awareness about risky behaviors that should not be done in virtual environments, cyberbullying and its negative effects. More importantly, these students should be encouraged to report bullying when they experience it.
To summarize, it is obvious that internet addiction and cyber bullying have become quite common both in the world and in our country. Internet use, which negatively affects one's life, damages social relationships, creates negative effects on family order, can cause many behaviors that are harmful to both oneself and others, and becomes an addiction with withdrawal symptoms, is a problem that needs to be treated. This situation seriously threatens the psychological health of children and young people. Families and schools have important duties in preventing internet addiction and cyberbullying. Families need to be trained on issues such as properly monitoring and monitoring their children's internet usage, trying to solve the problem by adopting the correct communication style with them, and not hesitating to seek professional help when they feel that their children have reached the level of addiction. It can be said that schools should carry out studies to monitor their students' internet use in and out of school within a certain system and be in constant consultation with families on this issue.
It can be said that it will be effective in preventive studies.
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