Anonymity

• Technology allows people to remain anonymous. While someone might feel uncomfortable bullying someone in person, bullying someone online -- when the recipient doesn't know him and the bully might not even personally know the recipient -- can seem easy and like it's less harmful, because it's not face-to-face. The anonymity makes the bully feel safer, because the threat of violence or retaliation is greatly reduced because the recipient doesn't know who the bully is.
  
  

Accidental

• Cyber bullying can happen accidentally. An email, comment or other form of electronic communication can get sent to the wrong person or be posted publicly by accident, revealing a hateful message about another person. Even though the intent was not to harm, this still causes embarrassment and anxiety for the target of the harmful message. The message could include personal information that the cyber bullying recipient didn't want exposed to the public, and saying it was just an accident can't stop its exposure.
  
  

Power

• Bullies want to feel powerful and dominant over other people. The same can be true for cyber bullies. Sending intimidating messages exerts power over the recipients and others who may see it. It's also a way to exert power and dominance at any time of the day, due to the ongoing availability of technology, rather than just when the bully and the recipient are in the same room or building.
  
  

Entertainment

• Cyber bullying provides entertainment for the bully. Thinking of creative and, supposedly, humorous ways to insult someone or embarrass someone provides fun for the bully. It makes the bully feel smart, edgy and clever. Due to technology's ability to connect users to anyone around the world, a large audience can view the bully's harmful words, with some enjoying the bully's humor and attitude. This further motivates the bully to continue bullying and providing entertainment for herself and others.