Description

INTRODUCTION "Cyber bullies can hide behind a mask of Anonymity online, and do not need direct physical access to their victims to do unimaginable harm." Anna Maria Chavez (gsblog, 2013) In the global world, drastic changes have taken place in the way young people choose to communicate with each other. Technology has undergone rapid changes in this era which has promoted advances in communication process and has made availability and accessibility in every corner of the globe (Jaishankar & Sankary 2005; McFarlane & Bocij 2005). Technology has made it easy for people to compete, meet a acompanion or communicate with people with the click of a button through social networking sites (Mishna et al, 2009). It has transformed the lives of many teenagers and has become an integral part of their lives, especially with the way they communicate with others (Rivers and Noret, 2010). Adolescents use internet for many reasons to play games, listen to music, or gather information for school work but overall socializing is one of the primary reasons for working online (Lenhart, Rainie, & Lewis, 2001), they communicate with known and unknown individuals who are acquainted in electronic spaces of activity- interactive games, social networking sites and chat rooms. According to Erik Erikson, it is during this stage of development, adolescents attempt to figure out who they are, what they are about, and where they are going in their life. It is a time period where identity formation takes place centrally (Peterson, 1988). Early adolescence brings about social challenges such as searching and exploring a new and larger peer system, adapting to the changing criteria for popularity (Shin & Ryan, 2012). Today's youth proceeds through these social challenges with varying degrees of difficulty (Petersen, 1988). Adolescents report that they are more able to express their "true selves" online than in face-to-face settings (Lenhart, Rainie, & Lewis, 2001; Bargh, McKenna, & Fitzsimons, 2002). Adolescence is a period in which social relationships expand outside the family and social interaction with peers provide a base for learning and refining one's socio-emotional skills. Through interaction with peers, adolescents learn how.