Bullying is an age-old thing where someone
decides to find a victim and torment them for no
underlying reasons. In today's society, a new form
of bully has emerged, called cyberbullying or
cyberstalking. The internet has allowed access to
people's lives that you may have never encountered,
but what causes a person to bully another online?
Many believe that since you cannot see a
person, it's not bullying, so maybe a lack of
empathy and some feel that people deserve it.
It may seem that the internet is a boring place
that can cause this behavior, giving the bully a
type of thrill or kick out of targeting a person.
Like a dull, grey, endless hallway, victims of
cyberbullying may not know where to turn
when they are being tormented by online
stalkers. An adult or child may develop
feelings of anxiety, being overwhelmed or
powerless. a sense of humiliation and
feeling a lack of self-worth and ultimately
like the victims picturedhere, victims may
choose to end their lives.
The effects of cyberbullying, which are
something that can take a toll on not only the
victim and there family but also if the bully is
charged with a crime, it can cause pain to their
own family for which this the act could have
been avoided.
The consequences of cyberbullying are vast. When
a person is bullied face to face, only a small
amount of people witness it. Online, the audience
is infinite, and the bully knows this. Theultimate
goal for the bully is to get attention, and via
the internet, attention can be gainedanywhere.
The issue with cyberbullying is that people can
spread a rumor with the touch of a button. The
victim has nowhere to turn, and as their self-
esteem is lowered, they sometimes will,
unfortunately, commit suicide because they
are blocked at every corner online and feel
that there is no way out.
Although each of the States in our country confronts
bullying in different ways, many states are
now looking at different types of laws to try
and combat cyberbullying and cyberstalking. Although
there currently are no laws at the federal level it
may seem in the future that because of the severity
of issues, both mentally and physically, such as
anxiety disorders and suicide, the government may
step in and pass harsh punishments on the grounds
of harassment or hate crimes, towards individuals
who partake in cyberbullying. It comes down to
thinking before you act; someone's life may be
impacted negatively just for you participating.Be
kind to one another. We only have one life, so
let's make the best of it.
- Cybersmile.org - 1-800-273-8255
- Cyberbullying help - StopBullying.gov
- Contact the National Suicide Prevention
Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK
Together we can HELP save a life by
spreading kind words instead of online
hate.
