Cyberbullying expository
Cyberbullying: The Hard Read Truth Cyberbullying is a type of bullying that is defined as attacking someone using text messages, social media, web comments, or over the internet anonymously. Cyberbullying is a crime in some states. (nobullying.com) Cyberbullying happens mostly in middle school and high school. Cyberbullying uses all forms technology, including, “(...) mean text messages or emails, rumors sent by email or posted on social networking sites, and embarrassing pictures, videos, websites, or fake profiles.” (stopbullying.gov) A study conducted in 2008-2009 showed that 6% of students in middle and high school had experienced cyberbullying. Furthermore, a survey in 2011 found that 16% of high school students had been bullied in the past year. (stopbullying.gov) Cyberbullying is a growing problem in today’s society where technology is easily available and can be used to cause more harm than good.
Cyberbullying comes in two specific forms, direct attacks and by proxy. Direct attack methods include: harassment through instant messaging or text messaging, sending pictures through e-mail and cell phones, impersonation, stealing passwords, sending pornography and other junk mail, blogs, sending malware, web sites, interactive gaming, and internet polling.
Harassment through instant or text messaging is when someone sends threatening or hurtful messages directly to the receiver, often a past friend or even a stranger. Teens may not realize that their unkind or threatening messages are causing serious harm, and are decreasing the morale in victims of cyberbullying. Even though some websites have a way of reporting users for inappropriate content or actions as a way to reduce chances of someone getting hurt, cyberbullies abuse this tool and prank their victims. They may also create screen names that are very similar to their victim’s, with one letter more or less. This often goes unnoticed and people begin to assume that the true victim is being a bully
Cyberbullying comes in two specific forms, direct attacks and by proxy. Direct attack methods include: harassment through instant messaging or text messaging, sending pictures through e-mail and cell phones, impersonation, stealing passwords, sending pornography and other junk mail, blogs, sending malware, web sites, interactive gaming, and internet polling.
Harassment through instant or text messaging is when someone sends threatening or hurtful messages directly to the receiver, often a past friend or even a stranger. Teens may not realize that their unkind or threatening messages are causing serious harm, and are decreasing the morale in victims of cyberbullying. Even though some websites have a way of reporting users for inappropriate content or actions as a way to reduce chances of someone getting hurt, cyberbullies abuse this tool and prank their victims. They may also create screen names that are very similar to their victim’s, with one letter more or less. This often goes unnoticed and people begin to assume that the true victim is being a bully
Cited: ConnectSafely. Tips to Help Stop Cyberbullying connectsafely.org 6 December 2013. Web. 19 October 2014 Hinduja, Sameer and Patchin, Justin W. Preventing Cyberbullying Top Ten Tips for Teens cyberbullying.us January 2012. Web. 19 October 2014 NoBullying.com The Movement Against Bullying. Six Unforgettable Cyberbullying Cases nobullying.com 2012. Web. 19 October 2014 Robinson, Lawrence and Segal, Jeanne. Dealing With Cyberbullying helpguide.org October 2014. Web. 19 October 2014 Sawer, Patrick. Cyberbullying Victims Speak Out: ‘They Were Anonymous so They Thought They Could Get Away With It’ telegraph.co.uk 13 Nov 2011. Web. 19 October 2014 U.S. Department of Health & Human Services What is Cyberbullying stopbullying.gov n.d. Web. 19 October 2014 WiredSafety.org stopcyberbullying.org n.d. Web. 19 October 2014