What Social Work Jobs Work Directly with Cyberbullying?

While there are few social work jobs that work directly with cyberbullying exclusively, many social workers have to deal with this complex and controversial issue on a regular basis. Cyberbullying is a broad term that covers various types of unwanted social contact and other malicious activities, including sharing personal information or spreading gossip. Harassment, threats and humiliation through digital media have become a serious public health concern in the United States, with the majority of children and adults accessing the Internet on a routine basis. Understanding the nature of these interactions and finding ways to prevent them from negatively impacting victims is a current and pressing challenge in the field of social work.

Schools and Universities

Middle and high school students are among the most likely groups to participate or fall victim to cyberbullying. Since youth activity on social media is steadily rising, these platforms can become an extension of bullying that happens on school grounds. Social workers at youth educational facilities are likely to face concerns related to cyberbullying as part of their normal duties. In many cases, social workers in these situations serve as counselors and mediators who try to help all parties involved find a healthy resolution to the conflict. Cyberbullying can also become a problem in academic settings, forcing older students to turn to the social workers at their college or university for help.

Cyberbullying in the Workplace

When it comes to private companies, human resources personnel are the ones who are likely to handle concerns about cyberbullying. However, intervention from qualified social workers may be necessary in extreme circumstances or if incidents occur within government organizations. For adults, cyberbullying can take the form of threats of sharing personal information or spreading misinformation to undermine the victim's position. Company leaders should set an example for their employees and enforce a strict policy regarding digital harassment.

Counseling and Victim Aid

Individuals who become the victim of cyberbullying sometimes turn to social workers as a source of advice and counseling. Even if they don't have the authority or resources to stop the unwanted interaction, social workers can help the victim find ways to minimize the damage and negative effect on their life. Experienced workers can also point victims towards potential solutions to the problem, like taking legal measures against the perpetrator.

Public Education

Some social work professionals dedicate their career to studying the impact that cyberbullying has on victims and educating the public about the risks involved. Many younger victims hesitate to tell their parents or school officials about digital harassment, so they often need encouragement to take action against this kind of behavior, according to Social Work Today. Traveling speakers visit schools and workplaces to present information about the real risks of cyberbullying, including the potential for suicidal behavior in victims.

Unlike normal bullying, digital harassment can follow the victims almost anywhere they go and the effects can linger on for many years. Anyone interested in social work jobs that work directly with cyberbullying can find a growing collection of studies, anecdotes and other information to fuel their professional education and development.