001+Cyberbullying

Frostburg State University Image by: jvhslibrarian = Cyber Bullying =

Bullying is a common problem amongst individuals. There are many different ways for an individual to be bullied. One of the most common types of bullying is cyberbullying. A cyberbully is an individual that bullies others with various technology. The technology most commonly used for cyberbullying are cell phones and computers. Some individuals may consider cyberbullying to be more harmful then regular bullying. This is because cyberbullying never stops. The bully can contact victims at anytime through technological means. Text messages, e-mails, social networks, and multimedia eliminates the need of direct contact to bully (“Cyberbullying,” 2009). Cyberbullying can be classified into two categories, direct and indirect cyberbullying. When a bully uses direct cyberbullying, they will personally cyberbully their victim. This type of bullying usually occurs through “text messages, e-mails, pictures, blogs, and spam” (“How to stop,” 2009). Indirect cyberbullying, also known as “cyberbullying by proxy,” the cyberbully has someone else do the bullying (“How to stop,” 2009). This type of bullying usually involves password theft and deceit, it is also considered to be more serious because more people are involved (“How to stop, 2009). Some individuals may consider cyberbullying to be more harmful then regular bullying. This is because cyberbullying never stops. The bully can contact victims at anytime through technological means (“Cyberbullying,” 2009). A 2004 survey given to 1,500 students ranging from fourth grade to eighth grade states that, “42% of kids have been bullied while online,” and “35% of kids have been threatened online” (“How to stop,” 2009). The survey results also displayed that, “53% of kids admit having said something mean or hurtful to another person online” (“How to stop,” 2009). “Between 21-30% of youth have harassed others online in the last year” (Who Cyberbullies?). Bullying affects a vast amount of people of all ages every day, and can lead to things such as anxiety and depression (Bullying Statistics). Most people wonder who the typical cyberbully is and who would want to spread rumors and send threatening messages to others? Well the answer is anyone could be a cyberbully weather it be someone you know or a total stranger (Cobb). And the simplest thing could set them off, like them not liking something about you or that you have posted online. Cyberbullies bully by means of spreading rumors, sending threatening or mean messages or comments to a person, whether it is by Facebook, MySpace, and Twitter, email or cell phone; phone or text message. A cyberbully is usually the bully that causes problems in schools (Cobb). A cyberbully likes to be in charge and control the person they are making fun of and bullying, they tend to choose people who appear weak and/or have a low self-esteem (Cobb). Often bullies think what they are doing is amusing (Bullying Statistics) and not a big deal, but they are wrong. With the constant advances in technology almost anything online the public can see and it could affect the persons schooling choices and even future jobs. The main victims of cyberbullying are teens and preteens. They range in age from 12 to 18. One out of every four preteens and teens are cyberbullied (“Bullying statistics/cyberbullying statistics/school bullying statistics, 2009”). At this age students are going through many changes so it is an easy target for bullies. However, anyone can be cyberbullied. It can start as early as elementary school. It all depends on how much exposure the child has to technology and how much the parents regulate what the child is doing on the Internet or phone. Effects of cyberbullying can be drastic. Cyberbully victims take different routes as to how to deal with being bullied. Some talk to parents or teachers about it. However, only 41% of students who are cyberbullied tell someone about it (“Cyberbullying suicides-cyber-bullyscides”, 2010). Others want to take revenge against their bully. 87% of school shootings are those students who are victims of bullying(“Bullying statistics/cyberbullying statistics/school bullying statistics, 2009”). Some do neither of these things. They do not take revenge and the do not tell anyone about it. These students are the most serious cases where they take their own life. Bullycide means that a child was so badly bullied that they committed suicide(“Cyberbullying suicides-cyber-bullyscides”, 2010). In the past few years the number of deaths related to bullying has drastically increased. Cyberbully victims become depressed, their grades drop in school, and they do not want to talk to anyone. They will shut out the world. It does not matter if a child has been cyberbullied once or a million times it still has the same effect. Cyberbullying can be hard to prevent, but not impossible. Government agencies, parents, and the school system can be very powerful in the elimination of cyberbullying. Parents can begin the process of prevention by informing their children of the consequences a child can face if they are bullying another child. Teaching your child to respect other children is also important to teach children (WiredKids, Inc., 2011). Parents need to be aware of what their children are doing online so that they can help to see the warning signs of cyberbullying (WiredKids, Inc., 2011). Parents can also take actions to keep cyberbullying from occurring. There is monitoring software available for parents to buy and install on the home computer. Parents are also able to set controls on web browsers and limit access. Programs such as Net Nanny are available to parents who want to keep an eye on children while they surf the net (DuMelle, 2011). The best way for parents to prevent cyberbullying is to educate your children on web safety. Another tip for parents is to keep the computer in a public place where adults can monitor children while they are online (DuMelle, 2011). Teachers and school systems canalso do prevention of cyberbullying. The best way for schools to be active in cyberbullying prevention is to educate the students and be proactive. There are many options for bullying prevention programs that a school can implement. A start to prevention in schools is for teachers/administrators to monitor Internet use by students. Just like in homes, schools can set boundaries for Internet use. Schools can also educate teachers on how to reports bullying incidences and how to spot when children are victims of cyberbullying (StopBullying.gov, 2011). One of the most important things for a school to create is policies and rules for bullies. By having a code of conduct and punishment in place when students cyberbully one another, students will understand that there are consequences for what they do online (StopBullying.gov, 2011). Another way to prevent bullying is to have every student participate in bullying awareness weeks and activities. By having the schoolwork together, the awareness of the effects of cyberbullying will increase for students and teachers (StopBullying.gov, 2011). A third way to help with cyberbullying prevention is for states to pass strict laws against cyberbullying. Maryland is one of the states that has cyberbullying laws in place. Regulation [|__13A.01.04.03__] (2003) states that children have the right to "educational environments that are safe, appropriate for academic achievement, and free from any form of harassment” (Olweus, 2010). Code [|__§7-424__] (2008) also defines bullying to include cyberbullying (electronic bullying) and requires the board of education to submit annual reports of bullying incidents (Olweus, 2010). Other parts of the Maryland bullying law state “each County Board shall establish a policy prohibiting bullying, harassment, or intimidation at school based on the model policy” (Olweus, 2010). Code [|__§7-424__]  (2008) of the bullying/harassment law is more geared toward cyberbullying. This helps to define cyberbullying as “a communication transmitted by means of an electronic device, including a telephone, cellular phone, computer, or pager” (Olweus, 2010). These laws are in place to help with the prevention of cyberbullying.

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How to stop bullying. (2009). Retrieved from [|http][|://www.how-to-stop-bullying.com/bullyingstatistics.html] =====

WiredKids, Inc. (2011). Stop cyberbullying. Retrieved from []
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