Cyber Bullying
Cyber Bullying is worse than Physical Bullying
Many people believe that bullying is just a phase that everyone goes through in life. Before the internet, cell phones, and other modern day technology came around, bullying was just a comment made by someone in the hallway, a prank towards someone, or even a big punch in the face. Now with Facebook, MySpace, emails, and cell phones, bullying has taken an even bigger toll and threat to people’s lives. Although cyber bullying is less physical than traditional forms of bullying, it can have more devastating and longer-lasting effects on a person and their feelings. In the year 2000 a University of New Hampshire study found that one out of every 17, or six percent of kids in the United States, had been threatened or harassed online. But in March of 2006, statistics showed that 75 to 80 percent of 12 to 14 year olds had been cyber bullied (Meech). It is clear that cyber bullying is on the rise and is becoming more and more of a problem each day. Both male and females are victims of cyber bullying, but studies have shown that women are more likely to use cyber bullying over men.
Today’s youth and the population between 16-25 year olds have grown up with technology. It has become a part of their everyday lives. The fact that most adolescents (83%) connect to the Internet from home indicates that online bullying can be an invasive phenomenon that can hound a person even when not at or around school (Technology). Taking technology away from someone just to protect them from cyber bullying would not help. People have relied on technology to such an extent that it would start to isolate them within their family and friends. It is not the technology that is causing problems; it’s the people who are using it in negative ways.
Almost 30% of the adolescent respondents reported that they had been victims of online bullying (Technology). Many people have experienced being disrespected and called names, threatened, picked on, or
Many people believe that bullying is just a phase that everyone goes through in life. Before the internet, cell phones, and other modern day technology came around, bullying was just a comment made by someone in the hallway, a prank towards someone, or even a big punch in the face. Now with Facebook, MySpace, emails, and cell phones, bullying has taken an even bigger toll and threat to people’s lives. Although cyber bullying is less physical than traditional forms of bullying, it can have more devastating and longer-lasting effects on a person and their feelings. In the year 2000 a University of New Hampshire study found that one out of every 17, or six percent of kids in the United States, had been threatened or harassed online. But in March of 2006, statistics showed that 75 to 80 percent of 12 to 14 year olds had been cyber bullied (Meech). It is clear that cyber bullying is on the rise and is becoming more and more of a problem each day. Both male and females are victims of cyber bullying, but studies have shown that women are more likely to use cyber bullying over men.
Today’s youth and the population between 16-25 year olds have grown up with technology. It has become a part of their everyday lives. The fact that most adolescents (83%) connect to the Internet from home indicates that online bullying can be an invasive phenomenon that can hound a person even when not at or around school (Technology). Taking technology away from someone just to protect them from cyber bullying would not help. People have relied on technology to such an extent that it would start to isolate them within their family and friends. It is not the technology that is causing problems; it’s the people who are using it in negative ways.
Almost 30% of the adolescent respondents reported that they had been victims of online bullying (Technology). Many people have experienced being disrespected and called names, threatened, picked on, or
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