Cyberbullying has been a big problem for a long time and
giving it the attention it deserves could really make the world a better place.
Cyberbullying is defined in the law as bullying through technology or
electronic communication, creating a Web page or otherwise imitating a student,
or distributing something that qualifies as bullying through electronic means
(Perry). Schools have already had the ability to address cyberbullying via text
messages, email or social media that occurs in school, but when cyberbullying
occurs at home, there’s nothing the school can do about it. It is a fact that girls from ages 11-17 are 3
times more likely to be cyberbullied than boys. Teen suicides are 40% more
likely when cyberbullying occurs. If cyberbullying were banned in the U.S., the
internet would be safer because it would reduce teen suicides and depression.
So far, 11 states are reviewing proposals to update or
implement cyberbullying laws. One of the laws that comes into effect this
school year, requires schools to have policies for dealing with cyberbullying
that occur on school property or at school events. ‘When it starts to disrupt
the operation of the classroom, then it can still be considered. It doesn’t
have to be someone in the back of the room with a phone”, said Chuck Smith, the
deputy executive director at Equality, Texas. This is a huge step towards
protecting kids from any harm. In addition, 45 states now have laws that bar
electronic harassment even though many of them don’t refer to it specifically
as cyberbullying. Another positive step towards helping with cyberbullying is a
help line in which teachers, victims, and parents can talk anonymously with
trained professionals (Komolafe).
“Online bullying is not only driving youth to suicide,
but anonymous trolls are celebrating those death to what can only be equated to
the chat-room equivalent of snuff videos”, said writer Isabeau Doucet. People
are bullied more over the internet than verbally and physically which is
causing higher suicide rates among teens. The suicide of a young girl in 2010
has brought attention to this growing problem. Many journalists began writing
about cyberbullying, causing more people to take notice and action toward
helping prevent future problems. A study completed in 2005 showed that 13% of
children reported being cyberbullied more than 4-6 times in the past year. This
number has increased greatly in more recent studies (“Cyberbullying has a
broader impact than Traditional Bullying”).
Bullying used to be confrontations, starting rumors, and
making snide comments in person. Now it’s as easy as posting a comment on
Facebook or tweeting anonymously about a classmate (Komolafe). “In one instant,
they can send out thousands, if not hundreds of thousands of messages”, said
Professor Catherine Bradshaw at Johns Hopkins. Most schools have policies in
place to deal with these situations that occur in school. Teachers and
administrators are being trained on cyberbullying and ways to stop it. More
organizations are being formed to offer educational program to ensure child
safety.
Unfortunately, not all districts support the new law
proposals. “The limited amount of negative response has been from some
administrators who didn’t feel it was necessary”, said Chuck Smith. One reason
that it is been more difficult to combat cyberbullying is the decreasing
education budgets across the states. Because of the budget cuts, schools have
been forced to eliminate mandatory training on cyberbullying. These budget cuts
should definitely be taken out of other programs, not ones to help prevent
cyberbullying. These programs are necessary to help save lives and prevent
teenage depression. The telecommunications revolution has created the
capability of causing far greater harm to children than the bullying many of us
remember from when we were young (Meyerson). This is the main reason we must
have these programs in place.
Since all of this is happening with one cause, why can’t
we stop it? A solution to it would be to make cyberbullying illegal and making
cyberbullying something to discuss more. Both houses of the Maryland
legislature have passed, and sent to Gov. Martin O'Malley, a bill crafted to
respect First Amendment principles while making sure that parents will finally
be able to protect their children, but cyberbullying is still legal. The
Supreme Court has repeatedly held that threats of violence, which are outside
the protection of the First Amendment (Meyerson). It may not be that easy to just make this a
law, but it has been a long time since this discussion first started and this
needs to be ended immediately.
People all over the world know that cyberbullying is
cruel and wrong to do, but these people never take action to it and do
something about it. Even though eleven states are reviewing proposals to improve
cyberbullying laws, there’s another thirty nine states that can be suffering.
My main point is that there needs to be something done about this horrible way
to torture people and be done now. “It seems like an evolution of the social
bullying that’s been going on for years”, said Mikaela Carson, a cyberbullying
victim”. As you can see, there are
plenty of reasons cyberbullying should be stopped. Adults see it happen with
their own eyes online and never address it to anyone if it’s not their child.
If you see someone getting emotionally hurt, then you should message them or
tell a parent. Parents, teachers, and other adults can work together to stop
this terrible thing that’s taking away the fun of children’s lives and have it
permanently gone forever.
Works Cited
Picture links: http://www.jwrc.org/Portals/0/cyberbullying%20graph.gif
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