Cyberbullying can take many forms but most often rears its ugly head in the form of mean messages via text or email. It can also present in the form of inappropriate or offensive pictures or videos to either make fun of a targeted person or a member of their family. It’s a fact that most kids who are cyberbullied online are also bullied in the real world as well. The technological platform simply makes it easier for bully’s to continue tormenting their specific targets. Because the digital world never closes cyberbullying can happen 24 hours a day.
For children in particular cyberbullying can have devastating effects causing children to abuse alcohol and drugs, skip school entirely or begin to perform poorly academically. The National Center for Education Statistics and Bureau of Justice Statistics states that at least 9% of kids in middle and/or high school had experienced cyberbullying during the 2010-2011 academic year. The numbers are rising too.
Any child can be at risk for being cyber-bullied, but if there are children who are unpopular or who may be dealing with depression or low self esteem they are potentially at a higher risk. Of course, please bear in mind that any person can potentially be a target for cyber-bullying for any reason or no reason. This kind of bitter, hateful behavior has no specific rules or guidelines it is inclined to abide by. The reasons people are cyber-bullied can defy logic or reason. Everyone or anyone could be a potential target.
The most effective method to deal with bullying is to make people aware of what is going on. If you are someone who observes someone being bullied in real life or online, intervene and let the offending party know that what they’re doing is not OK. If you are a person who is being bullied, the best course of action is to tell someone about what is going on. It can be a parent, guardian, teacher or friend. It’s important for bullied individuals to know that they are not alone and that they have someone who supports them.
If a crime has been committed while cyberbullying do not hesitate to notify law enforcement. There are laws on the books which speak directly to cyberbullying as a crime which has jail time attached to it. If you are someone or know of someone who is considering harming themselves because of cyberbullying it might be helpful to know the National Suicide Prevention Hotline has staff especially trained in dealing with people experiencing this kind of online trauma. (800-23-TALK)
Bibliography
ASPA, U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. “Get Help Now.” stopbullying.gov. Department of Health and Human Services, 29 Feb. 2012. 23 Oct. 2015. <http://www.stopbullying.gov/get-help-now/index.html>.
Citations, Quotes & Annotations
(ASPA)
For children in particular cyberbullying can have devastating effects causing children to abuse alcohol and drugs, skip school entirely or begin to perform poorly academically. The National Center for Education Statistics and Bureau of Justice Statistics states that at least 9% of kids in middle and/or high school had experienced cyberbullying during the 2010-2011 academic year. The numbers are rising too.
Any child can be at risk for being cyber-bullied, but if there are children who are unpopular or who may be dealing with depression or low self esteem they are potentially at a higher risk. Of course, please bear in mind that any person can potentially be a target for cyber-bullying for any reason or no reason. This kind of bitter, hateful behavior has no specific rules or guidelines it is inclined to abide by. The reasons people are cyber-bullied can defy logic or reason. Everyone or anyone could be a potential target.
The most effective method to deal with bullying is to make people aware of what is going on. If you are someone who observes someone being bullied in real life or online, intervene and let the offending party know that what they’re doing is not OK. If you are a person who is being bullied, the best course of action is to tell someone about what is going on. It can be a parent, guardian, teacher or friend. It’s important for bullied individuals to know that they are not alone and that they have someone who supports them.
If a crime has been committed while cyberbullying do not hesitate to notify law enforcement. There are laws on the books which speak directly to cyberbullying as a crime which has jail time attached to it. If you are someone or know of someone who is considering harming themselves because of cyberbullying it might be helpful to know the National Suicide Prevention Hotline has staff especially trained in dealing with people experiencing this kind of online trauma. (800-23-TALK)
Bibliography
ASPA, U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. “Get Help Now.” stopbullying.gov. Department of Health and Human Services, 29 Feb. 2012. 23 Oct. 2015. <http://www.stopbullying.gov/get-help-now/index.html>.
Citations, Quotes & Annotations
(ASPA)