Cyber Bullying has been on the rise since the beginning of Instant Messenger, and social networks. Over the past 10 years pre-teens and high school students have been affected by the teasing and slander caused by internet bullies. Consequences may be as mundane as crying alone in bed, or as severe as suicide; “cyber bullying” has become a growing epidemic with the ability to change people’s lives.
One of the most publicized cases of cyber-bullying was sparked by the recent death of victim Tyler Clementi, who according to Wall Street Journal, committed suicide after a video of his homosexual encounter with another man was posted on the Internet. Last year a South Hadley student, Pheobe Prince also ended her own life after being relentlessly harassed not only around the hallways of her high school, but also through degrading posts on four different online forums, according to NY Daily News. These two victims of cyber-bullying received national attention, but imagine how many more suffer behind closed doors.
Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, and YouTube are only some of the multiple social networks that can serve as forums for embarrassment and torment. With these public sites, it is as easy to stay connected with friends as it is to exclude outcasts. Internet users are often given newfound confidence behind their online identities, and they can use their social networks to promote themselves while demoting others.
Although cyber bullies are devastating their peers, the tormenters are putting not only their victims at risk, but also themselves. On the Web, what is written is permanent and can be traced easily back to a specific person, regardless of the use of a faux username or identity. Both Clementi’s roommate and Prince’s schoolmates are facing with criminal charges for their online behavior.
The Internet and public media are revolutionizing the way that humans interact and communicate. A new website, Formspring.com, has expanded the presence of cyber bullying. Though it was intended to simply post questions on people’s profiles, the young users have turned it into a new hot spot for cyber bullying.
When freshman, Freddy Loeb, was asked why he thought students participated in cyber bullying he said “When you use facebook or formspring you hide behind your computers and don’t face consequences.”
The consequences of cyber bullying range from personal confrontation to being charged with manslaughter. Young teenagers and adults think that cyber bullying avoids personal confrontation though it may lead to so much more. What is published on the internet is exposed to the world whether it is said to be “private” or not.
Although the technological generation is embracing new social networks, people need to remember that all actions have consequences, and they can sometimes be deadly. So before posting something online, think about if your grandparents would approve. If not, then do not publicize it for the world to see.