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Gender-based cyberbullying

  Gender-based cyberbullying: Understanding expected bystander behavior online


As we discussed in class and as other classmates shared on the blog, a bystander is someone who witnesses an event but is not directly involved in it. To learn more about this topic, I read an article that specifically explores bystanders in gender-based cyberbullying, which is also a topic we covered in class.


Cyberbullying, especially gender-based harassment, is a growing issue in online spaces. This study explores how bystanders react when witnessing such harassment and what factors influence their responses.


In a very brief summary of the key finding in this reading, they found out that: 

  • Women are more likely to support the victim and condemn cyberbullying than men. 

  • Men are more likely to accept or ignore online harassment, possibly due to social norms around masculinity.

  • Past experiences matter: Those who have suffered gender discrimination are more likely to support victims, while those who have discriminated in the past tend to side with the bully.

  • Emotional intelligence plays a role: People who can recognize and understand emotions are less likely to support bullies and more likely to help victims.


In conclusion, the study highlights the need for awareness campaigns and education to encourage online users to intervene and support victims of gender-based cyberbullying. Strengthening emotional skills and promoting empathy can make a difference in fostering safer digital environments.


This article not only confirms what most of us believe about the impact of gender on bullying, but it also raises

important questions about how deeply social norms influence our behavior, both online and offline.

The study highlights that gender-based cyberbullying is not just an issue of individual aggression but a reflection

of broader societal attitudes toward gender roles and power dynamics.


Beyond individual reactions, the article challenges us to think critically about the role of bystanders in online

spaces. If bystanders fail to intervene, they allow harmful behaviors to persist, reinforcing a culture where

gender-based cyberbullying is normalized. However, the study also points to potential solutions, such as promoting

emotional intelligence and awareness to encourage active intervention.


Ultimately, this research serves as a call to reflect on how social norms construct our perceptions of bullying and harassment.

Are we passively accepting harmful behaviors because they align with traditional gender expectations?

Or are we willing to challenge these norms and create a more inclusive, respectful digital environment?


The article leaves us with a powerful debate on whether we, as individuals and as a society, are truly willing to redefine these social constructs for the better.










Herry, E., & Mulvey, K. L. (2022). Gender‐based cyberbullying: Understanding expected bystander behavior online. Journal of Social Issues, 79(4), 1210–1230. https://doi.org/10.1111/josi.12503

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