Thursday, May 19, 2011

Cyber Bullying

Cyber bullying is so scary because as long as you have your phone or computer, it can follow you anywhere. Cyber bullying is anytime someone is threatened, humiliated, harassed or tormented through the internet, phone, or any other digital communication. Teens are the main target of cyber bullying, and sites such as Formspring and Tumblr where it's an option to send messages anonymously, make it easy for the bullies.         Alex Flood, 15 of New York is a popular teen blogger on Tumblr. Although he gets hundreds of nice messages, he's also been a victim of cyber bullying as well. "Feelings don't go away over the internet" he explains, "with the click of a button, you can make someone feel bad about themselves".

According to ncpc.org, 43% of teens have been cyber bullied. Although some sites provide the anonymous button option, most don't and in those situations the bullies keep their identity which in some ways is worse because it becomes personal. The internet provides a shield for bullies, so that they can say to someone what they don't have the nerve to say in person. This isn't something that just exists in big cities, it can happen anywhere and to anyone.

Cyber bullying has even occurred right here in Oxford Hills. A few months ago a smut list formed through Facebook. A smut is a nasty word used for someone who has low self respect form themselves and is known for "getting around". Although the school did what they could and eventually had the site taken down, it was still embarrassing for those who made the list.

Once something has been uploaded to the internet, it will always exist even when deleted. Unlike in-school bullies, you can't escape a cyber bully unless you're willing to delete the account you're being victimized on and disconnect your phone. However, there are steps you can take to avoid being a victim of a cyber bully. Before creating an account on any social networking site, be sure turn on all privacy settings and only accept friend requests from people you know. Try to avoid accepting requests from profiles that seem sketchy or fake. Turn off the anonymous button on websites where they're available. Although it's tempting to read them, immediately delete an email the moment you sense any cruel intentions. Block the person who send you the message, and report them to the website's staff which can usually be found at the bottom of the website's homepage. Don't give your phone number to anybody you don't trust, and tell someone who cares about you if you still need help.

Parents, if you feel like your teen may be a victim of cyber bullying, have a talk with them. Most teens who are cyber bullied are too ashamed to ask for help, which can lead to life threatening consequences such as depression and suicide. Cyber bullying can happen to anyone, and can stay with you forever. A mean or hateful message can be saved, which can torture someone for the rest of their life.

The internet can be a fun way to meet people and socialize, but remember to be aware of privacy settings, who you accept into your networking site, and who you exchange contact information with.

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