Cyberbullying has become an increasingly common trend but individual interpretation has made understanding its definition sometimes confusing and unclear. Cyberbullying is defined as torment, harassment, intimidation or pressure that is applied to an individual that takes place by using new media. “We use the term new media to describe a media ecology where more traditional media, such as books, television, and radio are converging with digital media, specifically interactive media and media for social communication” (Ito et al., 2009). Common equipment used by offenders can be devices such as computers, cell phones, tablets; any technology that allows for communication. New Media has influenced cyberbullying to become an increasing and dangerous problem. Prevention and education are necessary in order to effectively respond and address the issue. Stopbullying.gov (n.d.) explains cyberbullying further: “Examples of cyberbullying include mean text messages or emails, rumors sent by email or posted on social networking sites, and embarrassing pictures, videos, websites, or fake profiles”. The occurrence of cyberbullying is at an all-time high because of the increased use of new media. The constant connected nature of technology allows cyberbullying acts to happen at any time. These new medias make it easy to take on the cyberbullying role. The convenience itself enables any curious individual to participate because of the effortless ability. “What makes cyberbullying so dangerous…is that anyone can practice it without having to confront the victim. You don’t have to be strong or fast, simply equipped with a cell phone or computer and a willingness to terrorize” (Kowalski, Limber & Agatston, 2006). An additional element to defining a... ... middle of paper ... ...ty: What Educators and other Professionals Need to Know. London: Jessica Kingsley Publishers. Kowalski, R., Limber, S., & Agatston, P. (2006). Cyberbullying: Bullying in the Digital Age (2nd ed.). Malden, MA: Wiley-Blackwell. Offline Consequences of Online Victimization: School Violence and Delinquency. (2013). Cyberbullying Research Center. Retrieved November 27, 2013, from http://cyberbullying.us/offline-consequences-of-online-victimization-school-violence-and-delinquency/ Patchin, J. (2012). School Climate and Cyberbullying: An Empirical Link. Cyberbullying Research Center. Retrieved November 27, 2013, from http://cyberbullying.us/school-climate-and-cyberbullying-an-empirical-link/ STOP Cyberbullying. (n.d.). STOP Cyberbullying. Retrieved November 27, 2013, from http://stopcyberbullying.org/index2.html Varnelis, K. (2008). Networked Publics. Cambridge: MIT Press.
"Cyberbullying Is Not Worse than Physical Bullying" by Amanda Lenhart. Media Violence. David M. Haugen, Ed. Opposing Viewpoints® Series. Greenhaven Press, 2009. Amanda Lenhart, "Cyberbullying and Online Teens," Pew Internet & American Life Project, June 27, 2007. www.pewinternet.org. Reproduced by permission. September 20, 2011.
Bullying has always been a worldwide issue faced in many schools, neighborhoods and public places. In the past, bullies targeted their victims by acting tough and intimidating in person. As our society advanced in technology, the types of bullying advanced as well. The creation of the internet and social media sites now allows bullies to now hide behind their computer screens to torment their victims. Social media negatively affects our society more than it benefits us because it has created cyberbullying. Cyberbullying has become a worsening issue in our society that is difficult to prevent. We need to reduce our usage of social media networks in order to decrease cyberbullying on the internet.
In her article “How the Internet Has Changed Bullying”, Maria Konnikova explained how bullying has reached technology, and in the workplaces of many adults. The Internet has made it harder to escape from bullying, and easier for bullies to escape from confronting their victims. Furthermore, the author stresses that cyberbullying not only targets high schoolers, but it’s affecting the lives of college students as well (Konnikova 1). Cyberbullying takes place in the Internet world where is easier for a bully to gossip and humiliate multiple of victims in a faster pace. The studies have shown that cyberbullying is making a greater impact in the victims’ and the bullies’ lives more than the traditional bullying and many people are not aware of it; therefore the schools, witnesses, and employers should work together to fight against cyberbullying and provide help to the victims and bullies.
There are many methods that can cause shame or hurt to another person through cyberbullying. Some of the less noticeable, which are becoming more apparent over time, are things such as impersonating a victim on line, posting personal information, photos, or videos which were designed to break down someone’s personal character or physical traits (New, 2012). The more noticeable forms of cyber bullying are being implemented through the form of text messages, Facebook, twitter, Instagram, and other forms of social media websites. Although there are ways for children to block certain content, it is almost impossible to get rid of all cyberbullying on the internet. There are pages that have specifically been created to harass, bully, and hurt the people using these websites (New, 2012).
This sort of phenomenon makes major headlines regularly in recent times and effects a clear majority of today’s youth. State and local lawmakers have taken steps to prevent this type of bullying by making illegal under several criminal law codes. Michele Hamm, a researcher in pediatrics explained, “There were consistent associations between exposure to cyberbullying and increased likelihood of depression.” Cyberbullying became widespread among students with the rapid growth in use of cellular devices and the Internet. With this kind of technology bullies have the ability to send harmful messages to their recipients at any given time. This type of bullying is the hardest to control because it involves students but often happens off school grounds. However, because the evidence is material, students and parents could bring this evidence to the school and local police departments if a situation were to happen. Parents should be mindful of their child’s use of the internet and electronic messaging, cyberbullying usually takes place in a medium in which adults are seldom present (Mason, 2008). Also, instead of sending direct messages to other students, bullies use platforms such as social media and anonymous blogs to post harmful things for others to see. Educators must understand the significance of social media use to their students, especially
Uhls, Yalda T. "Cyberbullying Has a Broader Impact than Traditional Bullying."Cyberbullying. Ed. Louise I. Gerdes. Detroit: Greenhaven Press, 2012. At Issue. Rpt. from "Is Bullying Going Digital? Cyber Bullying Facts." PsychologyinAction.org. 2010.Opposing Viewpoints in Context. GALILEO. Web. 14 Apr. 2014.
As we are living in the age of technology, we are seeing our youth being victimized by a new phenomenon of bullying, called cyberbullying. Cyberbullying is defined as the use of information and communication technologies such as email, cell phones and pager text messages, instant messaging, defamatory personal Web sites, and defamatory online personal polling Web sites, to support deliberate repeated and hostile behavior by an individual or group, which is intended to harm others. Cyberbullying can also employ media such as PDAs, blogs, and social networks (Beckstrom, 2008). This form of bullying is progressive because it can happen instantly due to the technology involved, whereas traditional bullying tends to take longer to evolve and happens
With this in mind, cyberbullying is a major concern to secondary school teachers, due to students being at a developmental stage whereby their academic and personal development is crucial for moulding their characters and future career ambitions. With the release of new model smartphones allowing accessibility anywhere and anytime, the increase in cyberbullying becomes more frequent. Cyberbullying is not just confined to ‘screens’, it can reach out and spread into the non-virtual world. As stated by Allen, (2010), before teachers, families or the community can prevent or intervene in cyberbullying situations, they have to firstly be able to recognise and understand cyberbullying
‘Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me’ (The Christian Recorder). This is the infamous saying that many have heard since they were young. With vastly growing technology today, face to face bullying is being replaced with what is known as ‘cyberbullying’. Cyberbullying is defined as, “an aggressive intentional act carried out by a group or individual using electronic forms of contact repeatedly and over against a victim who cannot easily defend him or herself” (WebMD). It can take place using cell phones, computers, tablets, social media sites, text messaging, and/or chat rooms. Cyberbullying has become a growing awareness nationwide, prompting lawmakers to act and propose new laws making cyberbullying a criminal offense. Several tragedies nationwide have been a result of cyberbullying, making state lawmakers more increasingly willing to criminalize such behavior. With new modern day technology, recent laws being legislated, and worldwide tragedies; cyberbullying has led to a growing awareness of the issue and prompting cyberbullying to become a criminal offense.
At a national and international level, cyberbullying is growing substantially due to the evolution of communication through technology. Menesini, E., Nocentini, A., & Calussi, P. (2011) state that at a less severe level of cyberbullying, adolescent victims are experiencing silent/prank calls and insults on instant messaging. However, at a severe level of cyberbullying, unpleasant photos or videos are being shared online through social media websites with the intent of harming and harassing the victim. Cyberbully provides an insight on these different levels of cyberbullying by sharing the story of a teenage girl named Taylor Hillridge. For Taylor’s birthda...
[4] D. L. Hoff and S. N. Mitchell, "Cyberbullying: causes, effects, and remedies," Journal of Educational Administration, vol. 47, no. 5, pp. 652-665, 2009.
We use technology in almost every aspect of our daily lives; it is how we stay connected in this fast-paced world. Technology provides many benefits, but it has the potential to destroy many people. With technology use on the rise, bullying has taken a new, more destructive form. Cyberbullying, as defined by the Cyberbullying Research Center, is the willful and repeated harm inflicted through the medium of electronic text (qtd. in Chait). Cyberbullying is a serious problem and has serious consequences.
Internet usage in children and adolescents has been increasing in a steadily fashion in the past number of years and with the increase in internet usage, a new form of bullying has developed – Cyber bullying. Cyber bullying can be defined as “the electronic posting of mean-spirited messages about a person,” (Merriam-Webster, 2012). This form of bullying can come through various mediums including but not limited to text messages, emails, videos, and social networking sites. There is an overwhelming amount of information that defines cyber bullying, identifies the demographics of bullies and victims of cyber bullying, and identifies the outcomes of cyber bullying on victims. More focus needs to be placed on who the perpetrators of this form of violence are and how this form of violence is linked to traditional bullying. This will allow researchers and practitioners to move forward with research and implementation preventative methods and intervention once the problem has already occurred.
Wong-Lo, Mickie. and Bullock, Lyndal M. “Digital Aggression: Cyberworld Meets School Bullies.” Preventing School Failure: Alternative Education for Children and Youth 55.2 (2011): 64-70. Print.
Vandebosch, Heidi, and Katrien Van Cleemput. "Cyber Bullying Among oungsters." Conference Papers -- International Communication Association (2007): 1.Communication & Mass Media Complete. Web. 29 Nov. 2013.