Political Cyberbullying: Perpetrators and Targets of a New Digital Aggression

by Sheri Bauman

Politically motivated attacks are the newest type of aggression to erupt in the cyberworld, making Political Cyberbullying's analysis of the psychology of cyberbullying adult perpetrators, the effects on their victims, and ways we can reduce the damage an essential read.

Although cyber-aggression is not a new phenomenon, the presidential campaign and election in 2016 appeared to embolden some adults who exploited the principle of free speech to attack others for their personal characteristics or views, bringing cyberbullying into the political realm. The political climate remained toxic through 2017 and 2018, and 2019 has both enflamed the vitriolic and venomous potential of public discourse and encouraged the appropriation of personal disclosure for political ends, something likely to continue through the 2020 election and after.

In this work, psychologist Sheri Bauman, an expert on cyberbullying who has addressed audiences across the nation and internationally, summarizes the world of political cyber-aggression, its perpetrators and their psyche, and its targets and how they are chosen. She then explains steps we can take to defuse the effectiveness and the harms of these online assaults. Case studies bring primary points to life, and the clarity of the text will appeal to students, researchers, and others interested in aggression, communication, and politics online.

184 pages, Hardcover

Published November 30, 2019

Reviews

[Margo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a cybersecurity major as well as someone who talks politics frequently. I remember seeing this book in my college's library and immediately deciding to give it a read. I read a a good chunk of it the day that I checked it out. I believe that I finished it in under three weeks since that is how long I had until it was due.

Bauman, despite using very formal diction, occasionally has a humorous jab within the information she presents, which I loved every time. I loved how easy is was to read and how relevant the information was despite being outdated by 5 years. I can't imagine how the different the book would be if it was published in 2021.

I gave this a read because I am trying to become a professional in cybersecurity, that being said, the psychology aspect is something that everyone should consider. I recommend this book to anyone who is looking to understand why some people can be jerks on the internet as well as the importance of online groups in politics. I actually ended up talking about these concepts with my friends in real life months after reading.
I give 5 stars because it was a great book, however I recognize that it is not perfect.