Cyber bullying on school grounds is an increasing educational issue that affects teens. It can occur through various methods using technology like computers and cell phones. Cyber bullying involves the use of the internet to cause harm or embarrass someone in an unwanted act. Victims can feel psychologically hurt and unsafe at school. Administrators are trying different solutions like seminars and working with police to create a safer environment and end cyber bullying.
13. Shariff, Shaheen. “Cyber-Dilemmas in the New Millennium School Obligations to Provide Student Safety in a Virtual School Environment.” McGill Journal of Education 2005. 17 Feb. 2010. <http://0-newfirstsearch.oclc.org.catalog.lib.cmich.edu/WebZ/FSQUERY?sessionid=fsapp6-45423-g77r5qbe-h6mxrr:entitypagenum=3:0:numrecs=1:searchtype=locateFT:tdbname=WilsonSelectPlus_FT:query0=sc%3d%220024-9033+2005%3F+40+3+467+CITNMS+%3F%22:format=BI:entityfttoprecno=1:next=NEXTCMD%7FFTFETCH:rule=2:tdbname=WilsonSelectPlus_FT:issuesici=0024-9033+2005+40+3:fetchtype=fulltext:tdisplaydbname=WilsonSelectPlus_FT:thirdpartydbid=4:isbillable=TRUE:isdirectarticle=FALSE:numrecs=1:format=BI:ftformat=HTML:entityemailfullrecno=1:entityrecno=1:entityemailfullresultset=1:entityemailftfrom=WilsonSelectPlus_FT:%7F> Beale, Andrew, and Kimberly Hall. “Cyberbullying: What School Administrators (and Parents) Can Do.” Clearing House Sept./Oct. 2007. 17 Feb. 2010. <http://0-newfirstsearch.oclc.org.catalog.lib.cmich.edu/WebZ/FSFETCH?fetchtype=fullrecord:sessionid=fsapp3-45298-g5t6d4dj-msn32y:entitypagenum=3:0:recno=6:resultset=1:format=FI:next=html/record.html:bad=error/badfetch.html:entitytoprecno=6:entitycurrecno=6:numrecs=1> “Cyberbullying.” National Crime Prevention Council. 2010. 17 Feb. 2010 <www.ncpc.org/cyberbullying >
Notas del editor
Cyber bullying is an issue that is increasing due to the wide usage of technology and the internet. According to the National Crime Prevention Council, “it is now a growing problem that affects almost half of all American teens”(1). Teenager are being greatly affected due to the increase use of the internet. Cyber bullying doesn’t just occur at home, it is now being done at school.
According to Andrew Beale and Kimberly Hall, “cyber bullying is bullying that involved the use of email, instant messaging, web sites, and chat rooms to deliberately pick on and torment others” (Beale1). Cyber bullying is becoming more popular, since most teens have a cell phone or use a computer. “Bullying I always unwanted, deliberate, persistent, and relentless, creating a power imbalance between perpetrator(s) and victims” (Shariff 2) declared by ShaheenShariff.
Cyber bullying can occur from a cell phone or the internet such as Facebook. There are multiple ways in which someone can become cyber bullied. According to National Crime Prevention Council “if a person was to cyber bully they could pretend they are other people online to trick others, spread lies and rumors, trick people into revealing personal information, sending mean text messages, or post pictures about a person without their consent”(3,4)
When a person is cyber bullying they remain anonymous because it is harder to track down who was the perpetrator. The person can still victimize someone without worrying about being caught and receiving the consequences for their actions. It is also harder for the victim to defend themselves when the harassment is coming from an unknown person and from the internet or text message.
There are two different types of bullying. ShaheenShariff declared that “overt and covert are the two forms. Overt bullying involves physical aggression, such as beating, kicking, shoving, and sexual touching. While covert bullying is when victims are excluded from peer groups, stalked, stared at, gossiped about, verbally threatened, and harassed” (Shariff 2). Cyber bullying falls under covert bullying.
ShaheenShariff claims “the bullying can be socially detrimental for all students. Fear of unknown cyber-perpetrators among classmates and bullying that continues at school distracts all students from schoolwork. It creates a hostile physical school environment where students feel unwelcome and safe” (Shariff 3). If students don’t feel safe then they won’t be able to concentrate and they won’t want to go to school.
Teenagers will all react in a different manner if they ever become the victim of cyber bullying. National Crime Prevention Council declares that “teens will feel angry, hurt, embarrassed, or scared” (2). Experiencing these emotions can cause “victims to seek revenge, avoid friends and activities, or cyber bully back” (2). According to ShaheenShariff “the consequences can be psychologically devastating for victims” (Shariff 3).
According to Andrew Beale and Kimberly Hall “Researchers and administrators have developed programs, written articles, delivered workshops, and given speeches focusing on the goal and importance of eliminating bullying behavior in schools” (Beale1). “Provide student education on internet bullying. School counselors can also visit classrooms and teach internet etiquette. Creating an anti bullying policy that includes harassment through the internet and cell phones is another option” (Beale 3).
“Establish a relationship with the local police department. Conduct professional department seminars so that all faculty and staff are alerted to the issue” (Beale 4). Another important thing is the “create a school climate in which students feel encouraged and comfortable. Sponsoring workshops designed to enlighten parents is another reasonable option” (Beale 4).
Cyber bullying is affecting teenagers lives along with their peers at school. Steps need to be taken to help prevent cyber bullying especially on school grounds. Bullying can have a huge impact on the victim and it is best to find a way to cut down on the amount of bullying going on in schools.
