Cyberbullying

Cyberbullying is becoming more popular among students as the advancement of technology keeps improving. The video defines it as the “posting of hateful information on the Internet concerning another individual.” As an individual who uses the Internet, I do not want to worry about seeing information posted on the Internet that is misleading or hurtful. Technology has become a part of the way we live; the World Wide Web is an abundance of information. In today’s society, everything is at the click of the mouse and for some individuals that can cause problems which will lead to major dilemmas.
These individuals who choose to make these derogatory comments about other people are happening on a daily basis. They log on to the Internet as someone else and they feel superior to everybody. The bully feels like an anonymous person who will not get caught. Most of the time their motive is to get a reaction from those individuals that the negative information was written about. Nobody likes to have a nasty rumor spread or other students’ gossip about them or the choices they choose to make. Cyberbullies will say more about someone else because they are not face to face with that person. The bad thing about these incidents is that some of this information is learned in their computer class on how to cut and paste images. As a result, they are using the knowledge they have learned at school. What is wrong this concept?
The video also talked about the different ways of bullying by flaming, online harassment, cyberstalking, denigration, masquerading, outing/trickery, and exclusion. If these individuals get a reaction from the student body or administration, they are more likely to do it again. If there is not a big concern made about the situation, the bully might be more likely to refrain from making phony or offensive statements. Most of the time they are trying to impress other kids or their friends; the feeling of being in charge and having the power to get away with it. Many of these individuals like to stir up trouble and cause controversy.
Cyberbullies will continue to do this if there is no punishment or consequences. Students also need avoid becoming a victim of this growing trend among students. I am not really sure what we can do to stop this, but there needs to be rules that are set in place for when there are occurrences. Action must be taken to stop this verbal harassment. Schools need to put in place the warning signs of Cyberbullying and sites that students should stay away from on the Internet. If the site seems uncertain, then the user should use caution and not give out any personal information. Tell a responsible adult if you feel uncomfortable; police have ways of finding out who is behind the bullying.

For research, case studies, fact sheets, and real life stories about Cyberbullying, check out www.cyberbullying.us/