What is Cyberbullying?

At some point in ones life they probably encountered a troubled person, Usually known as a “bully”, the one who tears down one's self, mentally and physically. Online, bullies have access to many platforms to find their victims and harass them. A study showed that about 10 to 20 percent that youths experience the most bullying and victims are more likely to have a low self esteem and turn to substance abuse. Because of the tremendous effect on cyberbullying, young children and teenagers are harming themselves and even turning to suicide; by telling a trusted adult or reporting the bully, we can out a stop to cyberbullying.

A leading cause of to cyberbullying is the advancement of technology which gives bullies a wider reach of people to prey on. Having an account on an online platform can make you anonymous, meaning not being able to be traced. A study showed that 17% of fake accounts have been used to “act mean to people and not get into trouble” a source showed. It is very easy to tear a person's self esteem. There are thousands of cases of young kids and teenagers turning to substance abuse and other things to harm their bodies. That one person hurting another for the joy of it makes the other person feel like they are nothing and a nobody. With the new source of technology, David Zhao says, “Cyberbullying is a new issue, it's no longer about horseplay and physical punches inside the school.” “Its abuse 24/7”. While there is easy access to the internet, numbers have been climbing dramatically.

Addressing a person online as a bully is one thing but putting a end to it, is another thing. Schools across the country have been trying to find soe way to punish a kid who is caught in the act of bullying. A research has shown the students who fear punishment “Are less likely to torment their classmates” than those who don't fear punishment. When witnessing another person being harassed and being slammed for something , you should report it and tell a trusted adult. Also reporting the account that is doing the harm. Letting one keep taking advantage of another is wrong and should be stopped. “One who is caught in this act should be looked into by the platform which was used” according to Allison Denisso. Witnessing someone get bullied online and reporting it is key to stopping a bully from finding more victims.

While reporting someone getting bullied is one thing, the punishment to the bully is more important, and should be pushed more. Schools are now trying to pass rules on how to punish these bullies. Edwin states that “courts have already determined that schools have the right to punish students for off campus behavior.” It is key that the bully gets punished so they quit doing such things. Also I think both school and law get involved when this problem occurs. Parents should also be disciplining their kids, such as taking away their device they were using.

Cyberbullying is a big problem throughout the country. Catching onto it and putting a stop to it will help out thousands of kids from being hurt. No parent wants to see their own child suffering. Cyberbullying has led to people to turn to substance abuse and even suicide. Because of the tremendous effect on cyberbullying, young children and teenagers are harming themselves and even turning to suicide; by telling a trusted adult or reporting the bully, we can out a stop to cyberbullying.

Works Cited

DeNisso, Alison. ""Addressing cyberbullying in and out of school."" District Administration, Dec. 2013, p. 18. Opposing Viewpoints in Context, https://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A353319530/OVIC?u=j226903001&sid=OVIC&xid=5166353a. Accessed 27 Nov. 2018.

Yohnka, Edwin C., and Justin W. Patchin. ""Should Your School Punish Cyberbullies?"" Junior Scholastic/Current Events, 9 Oct. 2017, p. 22+. Global Issues in Context, https://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A511109293/OVIC?u=j226903001&sid=OVIC&xid=3e1afe69. Accessed 27 Nov. 2018.

Yohnka, Edwin C., and Justin W. Patchin. ""Should Your School Punish Cyberbullies?"" Junior Scholastic/Current Events, 9 Oct. 2017, p. 22+. Global Issues in Context, https://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A511109293/OVIC?u=j226903001&sid=OVIC&xid=3e1afe69. Accessed 27 Nov. 2018.

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