Bullying: The Pros And Cons Of Cyberbullying

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The internet has enabled our society to accomplish great things that would not have been achieved without the advanced technology available to us today. Everyone knows that there are both pros and cons to the advanced technology available practically worldwide. However, everyday youth are finding new ways to engage in inappropriate behaviors such as cyberbullying and sexual misconduct (sexting) with technology, and most adults are practically blind to this rising problem until it is too late. There are however, many solutions that schools, adults, and parents can do to put a stop to these cyberbullying and sexual misconduct activities occurring online. Cyberbullying is the electronic posting of mean-spirited messages about a person (as a student) often done anonymously (merriam-webster). These messages can occur through social media, email, and even online gaming communities. Statistics say bullying victims are anywhere from two to nine times more likely to consider committing suicide (DoSomething). Cyberbullying is a completely new form of bullying it does not end when the school day ends like normal bullying would. Cyberbullying is an experience one can never get away from, there is no escaping, and it only gets worse. As many as twenty five percent of teenagers have reported experiencing cyberbullying (CNN News). Twelve percent of teenagers around the ages of twelve to seventeen years old report frequently seeing their peers being mean or cruel online, while twenty nine percent of teenagers report only sometimes seeing their peers being mean or cruel (CNN News, 2013). Eighteen-year-old Brandon Turley, who experienced cyberbullying in middle school designed the website westophate.org and created the BullyButton.org page on Fac... ... middle of paper ... ...ts can do random searches on their cell phones, laptops, tablets, and gadgets that can be used to communicate. If the child has deleted text messages, Facebook messages, and web history take their cellphones, laptops and tablets away and explain to the child that what they are doing is mean, and hurts people. Make sure to tell the child that what they post online and send to others is no longer private, and anybody can see it. Good rules of thumb to keep in mind are think before you post or send. Is what you are posting and or sending true? Is it kind? Is it necessary? Another this that is extremely important is educating today’s youth about these topics, and telling stories of people who have been victims and people who try to stop both cyber bullying and sexting. By doing this, one may not completely stop cyber bullying or sexting, but it will help slow the trend.

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