Bullying: A Case Study
Sending a text through a mobile phone or sending an email through the internet used to be a harmless way to communicate with friends and family when weekends became clogged with assignments and work. As technology advanced so did bullying. Bullies began to send threatening text messages, send harassing emails, and use the likes of social networking sites to torment, humiliate, embarrass or target other students. Cyber bullying uses e–technology as a means of victimising others by e–mail, chat room discussion groups, instant messaging, webpages or SMS (text messaging) ,with the intention of harming another person (Cyber Safety Glossary ,16 Jun, 2010). "There's no safe place anymore. You can be bullied 24/7...even in the privacy of your own...show more content...
The surveys conducted by Health Education Students show many Year 9's use behaviours which Health Education Students determined to be associated with popularity. These behaviours include using offensive language, uploading suggestive photos of themselves, and uploading inappropriate photos of others. The second was for students to follow their peers. Grace Miller (2011) whilst in a class discussion stated she believed all students just wanted to fit in, thus they followed their peers to make friends. Behaviours found of the Year 9's believed to support this were defending their friend if they were being bullied (found in the pre survey, but not in the post) which according to the Health education survey, 67% of students would do. Spreading rumours online was another behaviour believed to be linked. They third hypothesised reason for the stakeholders to cyber bully, was the possibility they have been bullied. Many reported harassment and threating messages, and as cyber bullying can be anonymous, targeting others over the internet can help make them feel 'strong'.
Socio–cultural factors can influence cyber bullying in many ways. Ken Rigby (2004) believes one reason for male stakeholders to bully is because boys 'construct' masculinity about themselves, thus are commonly aggressive against others. James Cook University (2010) also proposes bullying occurs to enhance self–concept. Well balanced people gain this through their achievements, friends and Get
Cyberbullying is defined as the repeated use of technology to harass, humiliate, and threaten others. Cyberbullying has become the new way to bully others because teenagers have access to their social media, cell phones, and internet anywhere and at any time. Even though traditional bullying has occurred for years, researchers and school officials are still searching for solutions to solve the new form of bullying known as cyberbullying. Since cyberbullying is anonymous a solution to the problem is harder to find and the bullies do not have to pay for their actions because they never get caught. In many ways, cyberbullying is worse than traditional bullying because cyberbullying infiltrates every part of a victim's life and can cause...show more content...
In contrast, twelve percent said that they have experienced or taken part in traditional bullying; however, of those at least ninety–five percent said it was meant to be a joke (Duverge). Cyberbullying is affecting more people each day and is becoming even more vicious the longer researchers are trying to find a solution. One–third to one–half of teenagers have been targeted or been a victim of cyberbullying. Teenagers involved have experienced everything from a decline in academic performance all the way to committing suicide (Holladay, pg. 5). Although traditional bullying is slowing down because of the increase in cyberbullying, some teenagers still resort to bullying each other face–to–face. Studies show that boys are more likely to bully in person; however, girls are more likely to bully online. Girls use labels such as slut, whore, etc. during their cyberbullying attacks while boys mostly make fun of each other's appearances and accuse one another of being gay or too fashionable (Holladay, pg.6). A majority of cyberbullying begins when one person's desire for confidence and/or power becomes too strong. Not only can cyberbullying be done 24/7 and can be done anywhere but everything a teen does is now done online. The content an individual shares online– including personal, negative, mean or hurtful content–creates a permanent record of their views, activities, and behaviors ( "What is Cyberbullying"). Social media is Get more content
Social Networking has taken bullying to the extreme. Before advanced technology, children and teenagers were troubled by school bullies. Today, they are targeted by bullies via internet. Most people undergo some form of bullying in life. Growing up, I experienced the typical name calling and spiteful comments. I also dealt with minor cases of virtual bullies. These bullies are known as cyber bullies. I find this topic compelling because it's a matter that has spiraled out of control. "Cyber bullying is defined as using the computer or other electronic devices to intimidate, threaten or humiliate another individual," Admin October 13th, 2008. As the Hartman 2 internet continues growing more popular with the youth, so do potential...show more content...
This makes the bully feel more powerful.
Hartman 3
There's not a legitimate reason for cyber bullying. Many perpetrators bully just to get a reaction. It's common for them to bully another just to boost their ego. It makes the tormentor feel in charge. Some may think it's humorous to tease and make fun of others and that it's not harmful in any way. The reality is being bullied can cause many problems for children and teenagers. Many negative effects are outcomes of cyber bullies. The impact cyber bullying has on kids is detrimental. Victims can develop psychological problems. For example, victims begin having anxiety, lower self–esteem, and frustration. They may also be diagnosed with depression. It's tough to ignore cyber bullying. Compared to school bullies, internet bullies cause their victim more emotional pain. Children and teenagers are able to escape school bullies when they return home. However targets of cyber bullying don't have that advantage. There is no argument as to if cyber bullying is good or bad. However is social networking to blame? Or is lack of parent monitoring the problem? It's true that adolescents are often given too much technology independence. I believe parents should fully acknowledge what websites their children are visiting and what they are posting. On the contrary, I feel there is no excuse for child or teenager to feel the urge to emotionally attack
We've all heard the saying "stick and stones can break my bones, but words can never hurt me." Sure words don't hurt physically, but to those who have been or are currently victims of cyber bullying words can be the difference between life and death. "Words hurt, and they hurt much more when repeated in the echo chamber of the Internet." (Rep. Linda Sanchez via FoxNews.com) There are at least 4 examples in the United States where cyber–bullying has been linked to the suicide of a teenager [1].
What is Cyber Bullying?
Cyber bullying is defined as "bullying through information and communication technologies, mediums such as mobile phone text messages, emails, phone calls, internet chat rooms, instant messaging, and social...show more content...
Many students may not inform their friend or parents that they are being cyber bullied for fear of increased bullying or embarrassment. No longer can parents rely on the usual signs of bullying (I.e. black eye, bloody lip, torn clothes) but the damage done by cyber bullies is no less real, and can be more painful (iSafe.org).
Surveys and Statistics
According to the National Crime Prevention Council, cyber bullying is a problem that affects almost half of all American teens.
In a September 2004 survey of 1,500 students between grades 4–8 by iSafe.org it was reported that 42 percent of kids said they have been bullied while online. One in four have had it happen more than once. 35% of kids have been threatened online. Nearly one in five have had it happen more than once. 21% of kids have received mean or threatening e–mails or other messages. 58 percent of kids admit that someone has said mean or hurtful things to them online. More than four out of ten say it happened more once. Fifty–three percent of kids admit having said something meant or hurtful to another person online. More than one in three have done it more than once. 58% of kids have not told their parents or an adult about something mean or hurtful that happened to them online.
The following statistics are from BullyingStatistics.org:
The Cyberbullying Research Center reported that over 80% of teens use a cell phone regularly, making it the most popular form of
Bullying has increased over the past few years. Every bully has their own motive and reason behind their actions. Bullying could either be a short term or long term event. There are different ways a person can be bullied. Through social media, texting/phone, in person, blackmail, in and out of the classroom. The victim can be hurt physically, emotionally, and mentally. The pain someone faces from being bullied often stays with them their whole life. Closing the Racial Discipline Gap in Classrooms by Changing Teacher Practice and Cyberbullying and its consequences: How cyberbullying is contorting the minds of the victims and bullies are two articles that display different but similar views on bullying and how it can affect a classroom....show more content...
The government has cracked down because so many cases have been brought to their attention.
Both articles explained clearly the topic about bullying and how it affects not only the victim but as well as others too. It was very interesting that the two articles used real life examples to show how bullies affect the classroom as well as the family life. Each article spoke about the same topic but looked into bullying deeper. The two types of bullying that the articles spoke about are not the only way children can be affected by bullying. Being a witness can take a toll on someone. There mind doesn't know what to do in that moment. Do I stand up to the bully? Or Do I just watch and walk away like nothing happened? This could really mess with someone's head. A specific grade level that you would see situations like these at would be middle school/high school. One of the articles used a graph to show the outcome on a study conducted about teacher engagement with the students. Being able to look at this chart gave me a visual aspect and better understanding about how important teacher involvement is.
Teachers can benefit from reading these articles because they may gain knowledge on handling a bullying situation in the classroom. I believe that teachers can definitely advance their strategies from reading these articles. A teacher's job is to create a safe and friendly environment. If a classroom has students that bully each other, the teacher may not be able to Get more content
Cyberbullying is bullying that uses technology such as the internet or mobile phones. Cyberbullying does not necessarily take place on school grounds, but harmful effects are experienced by victims of cyber bullying in schools. There a number of technological tools that cyber bullies use such as internet, email, social networking sites, and mobile phones. There are also a number of prevention strategies that school counselors, school personnel, students, and parents can adopt to help prevent cyber bullying.
Bullying is an aggressive behavior that involves repeated unwanted negative actions toward an individual by one or more individuals and involves an imbalance of power or strength. Cyber bullying is a type of bullying that uses...show more content...
Exclusion is when a person intentionally and cruelly excludes someone from an online group and the last form of cyber bullying is cyberstalking which is repeated and intense harassment or denigration that includes threats and creates significant fear (Willard, n.d.).
Bullying is now easier then before with technology like email, social networks, cell phones and chat rooms. Cyber bullying is becoming more common as individuals are using technology more in their daily lives (Bullying, n.d.). Traditional bullying and cyber bullying involves behaviors that are aggressive and repetitive. Traditional bullying can involve physical harm to an individual while cyber bullying does not include any harmful physical actions toward an individual.
The use of technology allows bullying to be viewed over and over again and can be viewed all over the world. Traditional bullying power imbalance usually involves an older, bigger, stronger, or more popular student that picks on a weaker, younger, smaller, or less popular student while cyber bullying power imbalance usually involves the ability to reach an audience from all over the world and humiliate, cause fear, and destroy the reputation of another individual from a computer or a cell phone. The bully in
