It seems like today people have discovered bullying, but Bullying has always been around when people gather. We define bullying as repeated and intentional behavior. It occurs when one person or a group uses power to hurt another individual. They also intimidate or control this individual.

Bullying has been around since humans have lived in groups. Of course, the type of intentional hurting behavior changed as we changed. The way we deal with it is also different. In the nineties, it happened in person and was usually physical (fights) or verbal. Bullying happens in every setting. There was a break from it when we went home. The home was a “safe place.”

Today it still happens in person. What is new is “the style.” With the use and abuse of social media, the aggression moves through Instagram, Snapchat, or any social platform. Cyberbullying is huge. The distinguished part of this bullying behavior today is that it has no barrios, it goes with you. There is no” safe zone.”

We usually think about Bullying as something that affects kids or teens in middle school. Even though these are more vulnerable, they have parents to back them up. Teens find a teacher to turn up to help them out. There is more adult oversight.

Bullying in college students is a hidden problem and has a strong psychological impact on these young adults. It can take the same forms as in high school. College students are still shaping their self-esteem and identities. They are building independence. They target others who are different to feel more secure about themselves.

These young adults compete in multiple areas, academically, and socially, and peer pressure is significant. Finding your place there is hard and that makes them vulnerable to engaging in bullying just to fit in.

At college young people are more on their own, allowing harmful behaviors to escalate unnoticed. Cyberbullying is the way bullies use to harm their victims in college. When underlined, the victimizer will excuse themselves by minimizing the situation, calling it a joke. Reporting bullying is difficult and not frequent due to fear of retaliation. There is no safe place. I can’t escape nor hide from it.

Psychological effects of Bullying in college

At this stage of their lives being a victim of bullying can be very harmful to these young adults. Even though the psychological effects still need to be investigated, we now notice that being bullied generates anxiety. It also causes feelings of isolation and inadequacy. As a result, a decrease in academic performance occurs. This failure reinforces feelings of guilt and devastation. It can lead to depression or even suicidal behavior.

Counseling services can help.

Understanding the roots of bullying and its effects is extremely important. It impacts young adults significantly during this stage of their lives.

Colleges should raise awareness and create reporting mechanisms. These mechanisms should allow the person to speak up without fear of retaliation or shame. They should promote the fact that they can and should report these behaviors. All these tools help. Yet, the victim must walk through the process. Colleges should create support systems that allow the victims to feel they are not alone. Encouraging asking for counseling services is necessary.