Cyber-bullies are jerks.
Cyber-bullying is any harm (physical and emotional) inflicted on another individual by use of electronic communication. This includes intimidation and threatening another individual. Cyber-bullying may take place by phones, computers, or any electronic devices. It includes teasing or coercive actions. Overall, cyber-bullying is one or more individuals harassing another via technology, regardless of if there is intentional hostility.
When I was in High School, we had an assembly in which Tina Meier came in to discuss cyber bullying. Meier’s daughter, Megan was from O’Fallon, Missouri and had committed suicide after having been bullied on the social media site MySpace. Megan was less than three months younger than me and took her own life at the age of 13. She is far from the only one.
Ryan Patrick Halligan, New York, committed suicide in 2003 after being bullied in real life and online. Tyler Clemanti, New Jersey, committed suicide in 2010 after his roommate shared a video from a webcam capturing Clemanti kissing another man. Jaimey Rodemeyer, New York, committed suicide in 2011. His death spurred a movement within the state to create new cyber-bullying legislation. This is not only in the United States. In 2012, Amanda Todd, Canada, committed suicide after being blackmailed online. Also in 2012, Ciara Puglsey, Ireland, committed suicide cyber-bullies called her “slut” and “ugly.”
Cyber-bullying is a constant, international issue and despite the creation of laws against it, it will continue to be a problem. According to the National Crime Victimization Survey, 72% of students have reported being cyber-bullied at least once or twice in a school year. Typically cyber-bullying affects teenagers, but it does still occur in college.
When one is being bullied in school, they are informed to tell an adult who can help. Technology has even been introduced to send a notification if an individual is being bullied to a reliable contact. Bullying in school still occurs. Bullying over cellphones can be handled similarly with informing an adult who can act. Online media outlets have the option to report a user for harassment. All fifty states have laws pertaining to cyber-stalking or cyber-harassment.
Despite these ways out, cyber-bullying still affects individuals. A large issue is the individual being bullied does not tell another individual so that someone can take action against the cyber-bullying. The National Crime Victimization Survey says that only 56% of those bullied ever tell an adult that they are being bullied (though in the past year, there has been an 87% rise in cyber-bullying reports). Cyber-bullying is even more difficult to monitor as it often occurs in the private of an individual’s room or in a location where others cannot see that bullying is occurring.
Parents are advised to look for signs of bullying or harassment and to take action against possible instances of cyber-bullying. These precautions not only apply to the parent of the individual being cyber-bullied, but also to the individual committing cyber-bullying. Discussions between parents and children need to occur and there needs to be an understanding of what acceptable online or electronic behavior is and what is not. Along with being advised to tell someone, students are being told to not engage in conversations with individuals who are harassing them or let information that can be used against them be released to the public. As cyber-bullying is still occurring, these methods are not foolproof.
Bullying will continue to occur and in cases where it is made known, actions will be taken. But students will continue to want to fit in, continue to want to be liked. Unless you lock them inside a box with no electronics, they are going to continue down paths that may lead them to be cyber-bullied.
Cyber-bullying is a weapon. Just like bullets, it can cause harm and death. Legislation will be made to take it away and people will be educated about it, but it will find a way to cause destruction.
This leads to my solution, which is also not a guarantee to end cyber-bullying. In addition to the precautionary methods, individuals need to be lifted up. Negative comments stick more than positive ones, but reassuring individuals that they belong, that they have value can help them understand that they have a place in this world and are loved. There are still going to be individuals who fall through this net, but short of monitoring all electronic communication they send, there is little else one can do if all other means fail. Showing compassion to individuals who feel lost and alone can do a great deal for their well-being.