Argumentative Essay On Cyber Bullying

Growing up, there are numerous challenges that one encounters: puberty, older siblings, algebra, and science. However, there is one disturbing phenomenon that is still prevalent among adolescents – bullying. In 2016, bullying is comprised of different forms compared to face-to-face bullying. There is physical, verbal, emotional, and sexual bullying. As technology advances, so do the bullies. Cyber bullying encapsulates anything that has to do with aggressive behavior via the internet. Low and Espelage quote David-Ferdon and Hertz defining cyber-bullying as “any type of harassment or bullying that occurs through e-mail, a chat room, instant messaging, a website (including blogs), text messaging, or videos or pictures posted on websites

The biggest reason why one would cyberbully is because there is anonymity attached. “It differs from traditional bullying in that the perpetrator could maintain anonymity, not abide to see the emotional reactions of the victims” (Kupferman-Meik, Burns-Warmoth, Rapaport, Roychoudhury, & Javier, 2013, p. 96). Perpetrators are able to hide behind their computer screen without any immediate repercussions. Due to the anonymous nature of cyber bullying, the victims are silenced with fear because they do not know who is sending them malicious messages. “[Victims] are afraid that if Internet or phone bullying is reported, the chances of being bullied will increase” (Kupferman-Meik et al., 2013, p. 99). Keipi and Oksanen (2014) affirm, “Internet anonymity is, it seems, for some a passive magnifier and for other an aggressive megaphone, the implications of which are as destructive or beneficial as is the fulfillment of its users’ needs” (p. 1110). Without doubt, there is no human compassion shown in the act of bullying especially if the anonymity is used as “an aggressive megaphone” to hurt

The victims of bullying endure external and internal struggles that leave them in a state of desolation. With that being said, it is urgent that action is taken. If you have a voice, you have the power to make a tangible difference. Speaking words of kindness is not hard. Pope Francis said, “the level of aggressiveness in our world needs to be dialed down. (The world) needs tenderness, meekness, (people) listening and walking together” (Glatz, 2016). In short, compassion can change the world, and I believe that individuals have free will to make those transformative choices, when it comes to the treatment of others. Finally, Glatz quotes Pope Francis saying, “sometimes we like to talk, talk [and] we risk paying lip service and this doesn’t work [instead we need to give] a smile that gives hope, looking in someone’s eyes, gestures of approval, patience, [and] tolerance” (2016, p. 2). A smile exemplifies true compassion to others, and that smile is leading society one step closer towards a loving and bully free