What is cyber bullying?

What happens when our right to free speech and all the freedoms and functions of the Internet combine to form a trend that’s sweeping the youth of our nation? Something that is emotionally and physically harming students and teenagers across the country. Something that needs to be stopped NOW. I’m assuming the words “cyber bullying” aren’t flashing in your mind right now. Whether we choose to believe it or not, adolescents are being bullied over the Internet and social networking sites everyday, creating an epidemic that’s spreading fast.

Although bullying has taken on a less physical form, the emotional injuries suffered by cyber bullied victims are becoming much more severe. Instead of being pushed around or picked on during recess, children and teenagers are becoming susceptible to online abuse that can happen 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. According to Bill Belsey from bullying.org, cyber bullying is defined as: The use of information and communication technologies to support deliberate, repeated, and hostile behavior by an individual or group, that is intended to harm others. You may think that because kids who are being bullied electronically aren’t usually physically harmed that this issue isn’t worth discussing or taking action. Just because there are no physical signs of abuse, doesn’t make this form of bulling any less real or important. In fact, because there are no physical indicators, parents, teachers, and peers are less likely to notice when a child is being bullied, which can make the bullying even more painful. Even more shocking, are the statistics:

• Over 50% of adolescents have been bullied online. Approximately the same number has been the bully.
• 1 in 3 youths have been threatened online.
• Only 1 in 10 victims of cyber bullying tell a parent.
• Less than 20% of cyber bulling incidents are report to local Law Enforcement.
• Cell phones are the most popular form of cyber bulling, as 80% of teens use them on a regular basis.
• Cyber bullying affects people of all genders, races, and ages.
• Cyber bullied victims are more likely to have low self esteem and consider or commit suicide.

Although the primary reason for creating this blog was for a communications technology class project, I’m hoping that my blog can result in more than just a good grade. Cyber bulling is affecting someone right now. The first step to stopping cyber bullying is spreading awareness. I’ll be updating my blog hopefully once or twice a week with information and stories that will hopefully help bring attention to this destructive subject.

For more statistics on cyber bullying, visit websites like:
• www.cyberbullying.us
• www.bullyingstatistics.org
• www.cyberbullying.org