Cyberbullying is a growing problem, with harmful material sent via digital devices. It can lead to serious consequences, including suicide and violence. Victims should report it and save any evidence, while everyone can play a role in fighting it. There are legal penalties for cyberbullies, and organizations are working to educate people on how to stop it.
Cyberbullies are people who send mean images and texts to others. In general, most people consider harmful material sent from one minor to another minor to be cyberbullying; the same behavior when adults are involved is called cyberharassment. Cyberbullies are a big problem for children, especially with the growing use of the internet and digital devices such as camera phones and texting capabilities. As a result, many school districts and youth advocates are working to fight cyberbullying and to educate people about the behavior so they can stop it.
Malicious material can take a variety of forms. A cyberbully could, for example, send cruel instant messages or emails. Cyberbullies also post harmful material on websites, often in very public places so that other young people can find the material. In essence, cyberbullying is backyard bullying, taken to a whole new level; instead of involving only a small group of bullies, for example, cyberbullies could lure millions of readers with malicious websites and these readers could in turn start harassing the victim as well. Cybervictims can be popular and well-liked one day and pariahs the next.
If cyberbullying doesn’t sound serious to you, it should be. Victims of cyberbullying have been forced to change schools or miss large amounts of school to avoid name calling and humiliation. Children have even committed suicide as a result of cyberbullying, and several cases of serious school violence, such as shootings, have been linked to cyberbullies. Because victims often feel alone and singled out, they are sometimes extremely shy to speak up and ask for help, especially if they are young children.
Cyberbullies can be subject to serious legal penalties, although cyber harassment law is still being finalized. Harmful material could be considered libel, for example, and cyber victims can sue people who post such material. If someone receives repeated unwanted emails and messages, this can be considered harassment and you can get a restraining order to stop the behavior. Many school districts are working directly with law enforcement agencies to address cyberbullying, and there may be penalties outside of school and for those who are cyberbullies.
Many teachers and law enforcement agencies are training together to learn more about the behavior and how to stop it. Several organizations offer services such as presentations to parents, school officials, law enforcement agencies, and schools. These organizations hope to eradicate cyberbullying by clearly defining it and showing people how to stop it.
Everyone can play a role in fighting cyberbullies. If you are a victim, you should save any harmful material you receive and hand it over to your parents or the police. It’s also important to remember that you shouldn’t talk back to a cyberbully, as bullies want to get you to talk back. You may also want to change your account passwords to make sure that no one can access any website with your login information. Always report cyberbullying and any other type of harassment to a teacher or member of law enforcement, and don’t hesitate to involve your parents as well.
If you see one of your co-workers being harassed on the internet, speak up. The victim could easily be you, and even if that means going against your friends, you have an obligation to stand up for people who can’t stand up for themselves. If you can’t stop a cyberbully, report them. Parents can also get involved in the fight against cyberbullying by raising concerns with the bully’s teachers or parents, or by working with law enforcement to stop the behavior.
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