Cyber-bullying taxonomies: Definition, forms, consequences and mitigation strategies

Having a black e-day seems to be experienced by every individual. With the advent of social networks and electronic tools, the online antisocial behaviors have increased, introduced a prevalent problem known as Cyber-Bullying. However, attention to the development of taxonomies with clear definition and boundaries of this problem, and to identifying preventive practices against cyber-bullying is very minimal. This paper aims to develop taxonomies of cyber-bullying definition, forms and consequences, and then crucial mitigation strategies to prevent and avoid such problem. Cyber-bullying definition can be identified in terms of child cyber-bullying, cyber-grooming, adult cyber-stalking and workplace cyber-bullying. The paper found that cyber-bullying forms taxonomy can be identified in terms of Internet-bullying and mobile-bullying. Cyber-bullying consequences taxonomy can be identified in terms of social and cultural, psychological and health, financial and unemployment, and technical consequences. Finally, cyber-bullying mitigation strategies taxonomy identified technology-, psychology-, and administrative-oriented approaches. The paper also found that no studies have been cited by the literature on cyber-bullying in most of Middle-east countries. This paper contributes by introducing those taxonomies to further understand cyber-bullying, to improve scientific awareness of this problem, and to highlight potential solution.