Cyberbullying: The Power To End A Life With One Keystroke

Taken from http://ow.ly/qhIKg

It’s common knowledge that the use of technology is extremely popular in today’s society, especially with young adults and teenagers. However, here’s a startling fact: Over 80 percent of teens use a cell phone regularly, making it the most popular form of technology and a common medium for cyber bullying. Are you thinking what I’m thinking? If so, you’re correct. Cyberbullying has sadly become a strong characteristic of social media. The use of Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and other sites to harass or bully others has become so common in the United States among teenagers that it is sickening, and it needs to come to an end.

Words Can Kill

Remember how your Mom and Dad always said  “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me”? Sadly, this childhood saying is untrue, especially with the rise of social media usage among adolescents. Teens aren’t always aware of the damages that their words can inflict; no matter how innocent they think their teasing may be, these seemingly harmless jokes or comments can create a world of hurt for others. Twelve year old Rebecca Sedwick committed suicide after being bullied online by two of her classmates for over a year. One of the bullies even indicated an alarming lack of remorse regarding her actions, by posting a Facebook status, stating “Yes, I bullied Rebecca and she killed herself, but I don’t give a (sic).” This behavior from a preteen is not only chilling, but disturbing as well. 

 The Numbers Don't Lie...

Rebecca was only twelve years old when she decided to take her life. Unfortunately, she isn’t the only teenager who’s gone through this sort of hell. About half of young people have experienced some form of cyberbullying, and 10 to 20 percent experience it on a regular basis.   Twenty percent of kids that are cyberbullied have considered suicide, and one in ten of these victims attempt to take their lives. It’s a painful, but brutally honest fact: Cyberbullying holds the potential to be deadly. Families have been torn apart by these vicious cyber attacks, with teens becoming emotionally damaged and attempting suicide.

What’s A Parent To Do?

Cyberbullying is starting to be recognized as a serious offense in many states. Legal action can be taken against online bullies and tormentors; jail time and steep fines are some of the punishments that can be imposed. But it doesn’t always have to come down to legal action. Prevention of cyberbullying can start with a simple conversation. Parents can take the time to sit their teens down, and talk about proper behavior and online decorum. Here are a few tips that can aid parents in conferring with their children.

• Explain to teens the dangers of cyberbullying, and set guidelines for what they can and cannot do on the Internet.
• Encourage them to confide in a trusted adult if someone online harasses them and tries to make them feel uncomfortable.
• Instruct teens to block harassers and not respond to any messages that may make them feel uncomfortable or scared.
• Make sure that teens keep their passwords to social media sites private. Also, encourage them to not exchange or post personal information online.

So let’s all stop for a few minutes, and think about what we say online. Is the feeling of revenge really worth it? Is it worth going to jail? Is it worth terrorizing someone, and hurting them to the point where they take their own life? If you ask me, it’s not. Let’s all take a stand against cyberbullying, watch what we say on the Internet, and put a stop to cyber-bullies all over the web.