When It Comes to Cyberbullying, Just Say NO

Cyber bullying - the use of technology to harm people in a deliberate, repeated, and hostile manner.

     As many of us know, bullying has changed from the “give me your lunch money” way to cyber bullying. Even though cyber bullying involves no physical contact it is still as harmful or even more harmful then the general idea of bullying. Cyber bullying may not hurt a person on the outside, but it hits hard on the inside. To many people, getting hit on the inside hurts way more. The phrase “sticks and stones may break my bones, but words may never hurt me” is not proven true by cyber bullying. Truth be told, “Sticks and stones will break my bones, but words can also hurt me” is a more accurate saying, especially in this day and age.

     Many middle school and high school students have been a victim or a witness to cyber bullying. It comes in many different shapes and forms; texts, emails, instant messages, and on social networking sites like twitter or facebook. Via these forms of technology, many teens throughout the nation have been attacked with a wide array of hurtful names and slurs. Although many of these victims have alerted adults or any other form of higher authorities, the bullying has not ceased. In some instances, because the victims “snitched” the bullying and harassment increased. This increase may be due to the fact that the bullies feel that because the bullying is done electronically that no one can actually force them to stop.

     I believe that cyber bullying is definitely wrong and needs to be stopped. Most of the things that cyber bullies say via technology, they would not say to someone’s face. It is just an instance of cowardice and unruly behavior. Because of the way things are today, we are forced to take a stand. Sitting back and watching is not going to help anyone, not even ourselves. Only you can prevent cyber bullying.  

                                

Stop Cyberbullying
 - http://www.stopcyberbullying.org/index2.html 
 - http://www.cyberbullying.us/