Cyber Bullying

Cyber Bullying

Robin Kowalski, the author of the best selling novel Psychology, once said, "If you bully somebody face to face, and they get upset, you see them cry and be hurt. When it's over the Internet, you can't see the emotional reaction and go along thinking it's no big deal" (quotesea.com. 13 December 2011). This is a quote explains the pain caused by cyber bullying. Cyber bullying is an important issue facing young people today. With the increase in the use of technology, there has been an increase in the number of incidences of cyber bullying. "Nearly 42% of children have been bullied online. Cyber bullying is becoming a national epidemic with serious and sometimes deadly consequences" (cyberbullying.com 15 December 2011). It is important to understand what cyber bullying is, understand its effects, how to prevent it, and how to stop it when it has begun.

Cyber bullying occurs when a child, preteen or teen is: tormented, threatened, harassed, humiliated, embarrassed or otherwise targeted by another child, preteen or teen using the Internet, or interactive technologies or digital technologies (cyberbullyingalert.com 20 December 2011). Cyber bullying involves minors attacking other minors. Once an adult becomes involved in the situation, then it is called adult cyber-harassment or cyber stalking. Cyber bullying is not when adults try to lure children to meet at offline places for offline meetings. Cyber bullying includes name-calling, harassment, or trying to embarrass or threaten someone. Some examples of cyber bullying include: sending threatening emails, threatening text messages; tricking someone into revealing private or embarrassing information and sending it to others; breaking into someone's email or social media account and sending false messages to others while posing as this person; and creating web pages to make fun of another person.

Cyber bullying has many negative effects. One negative side effect of these harsh actions is undermining one's confidence, self-esteem and sense of security. If a person is told something about himself or herself all the time, he or she is going to eventually begin to believe it. If a person is treated cruelly, it could bring down someone's self-confidence tremendously. Cyber bullying causes children to hate school, experience depression, anxiety, and have other emotional issues. These issues can sometimes lead to suicide.

The news has reported many incidences of suicides caused by cyber bullying. The story of Ryan Patrick Halligan is one that made the news. Ryan Halligan was a victim of cyber bullying. The bully spread rumors that Ryan was gay. Ryan received many Instant Messages from schoolmates taunting him, claiming he was gay. Ryan then began messaging a popular girl in his class, whom he had a crush on. He shared his feelings with her. She copied these messages