Cyber Bullying, Essay Example

Bullying is an act in a written, verbal, and/or physical aggression form that is intended to cause distress upon one or more fellow individuals. The issue of bullying has further deteriorated since the rise of internet because not only internet enables round-the-clock bullying but it also allows the perpetrators to mask their identity. Thus, not only the problem has gotten worse but finding a potential solution has also become an equally monumental challenge. The use of internet technologies to engage in bullying is known as cyber bullying.

Unlike face to face bullying, cyber bullying impacts the victims even inside the supposedly safe boundaries of home. The earliest incidents of cyber bullying happened with the adopting of desktop computers but the rate has significantly improved due to the overhwleming presence of portable internet devices in the society. Cyber bullying involves more bullies because it is easy to remain anonymous on the internet and thus, the fear of being caught and punishment is lower. Because cyber bullying is less apparent to those other than the victims, it presents a greater challenge to the society to monitor bullying activities and recognize signs of depression in the potential victims of cyber bullying. Cyber bullying is also more permanent in nature because it leaves a permanent damage on the internet which can emotionally very disturbing for the victims. This may be why we have heard stories of numerous suicide incidents in the media in the last few years.

Technology may present problems but it also places social and moral responsibility on our shoulders to understand problem and come up with effective solutions. The cyber bulling legislations have been introduced in some states like New York, Missouri, and Maryland etc. but legislations alone won’t be enough to address the problems (Safety Web, 2010). The threat of cyber bullying further justifies the importance of closing parental monitoring of children’ online activities since the victims of cyber bullying may fear personal embarrassment in disclosing the problem themselves.

Reference

Safety Web. (2010, February). Stop Cyberbullying – Guide for Parents. Retrieved August 22, 2011, from http://www.safetyweb.com/stop-cyber-bullying