Cyberbullying: The Facts and Effects

Did you know that in the early months on 2011, a survey was conducted that proved 1 million children were cyberbulled on FB in the year of 2010? If 1 million children were Cyber-bullied on facebook alone, What does that say for the rest of the web and cellphone use??

After a lot of research and a lot of thinking about the topic of cyberbullying, I have decided to take a stand and not only educate you all but become an activist for cyberbullying.

Growing up, I have been two things: The victim or the one helping the victim. I have been the target of not only bullying itself, but cyberbullying as well. If you have not been in my position, then I can tell you that it is not a fun place to be in and I would never wish that on anyone. 

CYBERBULLYING

What is it?
-When the internet, cell-phones, or other devices are used to send or post texts/images intended to hurt or embarress others.

Types:
- Physical threats
- Sexual remarks
- Ganging up on victims by making subject of ridicule
- Posting false statements as facts aimed at humiliation
- Gossip/rumors
- Name calling

Harmful Effects:
- Lower self-esteem
- Emotional response (frustration, retaliation, fearfulness, depression)
- Suicidal ideation

 Suicide Laws:
- 46 State Laws Passed
- 44 States: Required school policies
- 32 States: Electronic harrasment
- Six States: Cyberbullying

Statistics:
Sept. '06: 4-8th grade:
- 42 percent Bulled online (cyberbullied)...1 in 4 more than once.
- 35 percent Threatened online...1 in 5 more than once
- 21 percent received mean/threatening emails
- 58 percent admit someone cyberbullied them
- 43 percent teens in the U.S. have experienced Cyberbullying in the last year Early

2011 Survey
- 1 million children cyberbullied on Facebook in the year 2010
- 20 percent students cyberbullied in lifetime
- Sept. '09: Survey of 1,247 people; 50 percent experienced cyberbulling, 45 percent witnessed cyberbulling

General:
- Over 1/2 adolescents/teens have been cyberbullied
- Over 1/2 have engaged in cyberbullying
- More than 1 in 3 have experianced Cyber Threats
- More than 25 percent cyberbullied over and over again
- More than 1/2 don't tell their parents
-80 percent use phones making it a common medium for cyberbullying
- 1/2 experience cyberbullying; 10-20 percent on regular basis

Now that you've seen the stats, learned the effects and what cyberbullying is, let me talk to you about it all.

I really want this post to make an impact on you because I think this subject really needs to be addressed and taken seriously. There are (at least) four examples in the U.S. of suicide due to cyberbullying. Three kids between the ages of 12-15 have been victims.

Here is a short list of examples and victims due to bullying and cyberbullying:
- Megan Meier (13): Suicide
- Ryan Halligan (14): Suicide
- Phoebe Prince (15): Suicide
- Alexis Pilkingon (17): Suicide
- Eric Harris & Dylan Klebold (18): Columbine High Shooting/Suicide
- Charles Andrew Williams (17): Santana High Shooting/Suicide

I don't think society realizes the effect cyberbullying really has on people. I don't think teens understand that the words they say to people hurt and can really have affect on them. When someone gets cyberbullied, they are stuck in a hard place and most kids don't turn to anyone for help or comfort.

It's really sad to know that teens don't think they have a way out of being cyberbullied so they retaliate in a violent way or they do the worse and commit suicide because they believe nobody cares and they think so low of themselves.

Children and teens 12-18 year-olds shouldn't be thinking of suicide or shooting up a school. They shouldn't have to be afraid to walk through halls at school, or left crying when they get off the computer from wanting to check their email or Facebook.

I have always believed in watching what you say, but I have a stronger belief in watching what you say on the internet because you don't know how it will affect the person on the other side of the screen. You can't see their reactions, so when you IM someone and tell them they are ugly/fat/stupid or make fun of them because they don't have much money, they are gay, they go to church, they are "artsy"....you never know how they are going to react to your message/text/phone call.

WATCH WHAT YOU SAY!

Bullies: You think you are being funny or clever, you think you are being cool but you aren't. You are being mean and hurtful. You never think your words affect people and you laugh when you realize they do. Nobody wants to hear your hurtful words so don't say them.

I don't know how I would feel to be you, to hold the weight of someone's retaliation or suicide on my shoulders... How does it feel to know that your words caused someone to hang themselves? Shoot themselves? Or pop a few pills? I would think that wouldn't feel too nicely.

How would you feel if you were being bullied? A lot of bullies are known to have been bullied themsevles to they decide to bully others to make themselves feel superior. In all honesty, you probably said to yourself, "If I was ever bullied I wouldn't care"... but you know you would, if it got bad enough, you know you would. Maybe you should do your research about teen suicides before you cyberbully someone.

Victims: I promise you, with all my heart, that it truly does get better. Don't let the harmful words tear you down so badly that you feel like you have no other choice then to commit suicide, harm yourself, or bring harm to others. You don't know how precious your life is, you have so much to look forward to and so many things to acheive in your life...a few mean words and mean people aren't worth it. Make your teen years matter, for you and only you; if you aren't in high school yet, you have a great four years to look foward to; and if you are in high school already, you have so much to accomplish after high school. It's just high school and they are just bullies. Nobody cares about who you were in high school, they only care about the person you learn to grow into. You are a wonderful person and don't ever let anyone make you feel like you aren't.

If you are being cyberbullied...Don't be afraid to tell you parents, that is what they are there for and if you can't talk to them talk to a older sibiling or someone you look up to. And if you are thinking about suicide, please, please, please don't do it.

There are ways out, there are always ways out, you can get help. You can call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255). You can ask for help, so don't be afraid to.

I think more laws need to be passed, schools need to educate students more, parents need to be more affective in their childrens actions, and suicide prevention/ cyberbullying prevention need to be more aware to teens all across the world. I don't think this subject is being taken as seriously as it should be.

Educate yourselves and the people around you. If you know someone who is being cyberbullied, talk to them and let them know they aren't as low as they are feeling and if you know someone who is cyberbullying another, let them know what they are doing is wrong and it could end badly if they don't stop.

Our generation is very influencing and we impact the lives of each other; if you stand up against cyberbullying, then more people will see that and it will come to a stop.

No other life will end.

If you want to know more you can also go to www.meganmeierfoundation.org to learn more about cyberbullying and the tragic death of Megan Meier. You can also learn about her amazing and inspiring mother, Tina Meier, who is now speaking out against cyberbullying.

Stand up against cyberbullying–together, we can make a change. Together, we can save a life.

-Ashlee