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Cyber Bullying High schools Assignment Help

As advancement of technology increases with digital items such as tablets, smart phones
and laptops for the use of social media sites, so has the incidence of bullying and
harassment with teens. New technologies offer both beneficial and consequential
opportunities for social communications and connections in a given community across
the world. According to stopbullying.gov, cyber bullying can be defined as
bullying that takes place using electronic technology). Whilst cyber bullying in high
school is a simple way for bullies to attack their victims without having to be seen, it
continues to be a serious problem among teenagers and should be strongly combated.
Cyber bullying takes place in many different forms such as harsh messages via texts and
emails, posting vicious pictures on social media sites, making negative and unwanted
statements in chat rooms, and even hacking into someone elses personal accounts to
send messages to hurt them.(Cyber bullying Research Center, 2004)
Culprits of Cyber bullying
According to the 2011 survey on Youth Risk Behavior, approximately 16.2 % of high
school students have reported to have been digitally bullied within the past one year.
Girls were twice as likely to have been the culprits as compared to boys. (American
Academy of Pediatrics, 2013).
Effects of Cyber bullying
Teens being bullied are more likely to experience psychological issues such as anxiety
depression, loneliness, unhappiness and poor sleep patterns as described by Jennifer N.
Caudle, DO and AOA board-certified family physician and director of Family Medicine
at Sinai Hospital, Internal Medicine Division, in Baltimore. Many teens try to hide their
emotions of being bullied due to embarrassment and fear of more oppressive behavior.

As a result, many appear to be more anxious and less confident which may lead to the
use of drug and alcohol, skipping school, or unwillingness to attend school, and poorer
test grades, which may ultimately lead to severe decline in their academic success.
(American Osteopathic Association, 2012). Other researchers have shown students to
have suicidal thoughts, and in extreme cases have attempted suicide.
Victims often feel overwhelmed, as though they are in situations where they have no
control. They find difficulty feeling safe since the bullying can take place through
technology at any given time of the day. Since making friends are a big part of life at this
age, teens tend to feel isolated during these occurrences, as it leads to being blacklisted
from social events and activities. Other dispositions that are consistent with victims of
cyber bullying may include feeling ill, such as headaches, stomachaches, or other
physical illness influenced by the increased stresses that are inflicted. Over time these
have been seen to lead to hopelessness, in which the only outlet of such pain is through
ending their lives for relief. (Gordon).
Signs of Cyber Bullying
Most teens who are involved in cyber bullying are unwilling to report and/or involve a
parent, teacher or authorities due to fear of computer privileges being revoked or feeling
shameful of others who will find out. Signs that parents and teachers should look for
may include emotional affliction after being online or on the phone, alienation from
friends and activities including group activities, hiding online activities from others,
decrease in academic achievements with increased behaviors toward others and changes
in sleep, appetite and mood patterns. (New, 2012). As Cyber Bullying continues to be
under reported, statistics show that Fewer than 1 in 5 cyber bullying incidents are
reported to law enforcement. The Cyber bullying Research Center reported that, About
half of young people have experienced some form of cyber bullying, and 10 to 20 percent
experience it regularly. (Cyber bullying Research Center, 2004)
Preventing Cyber Bullying
There is no full proof method to prevent the occurrence of cyber bulling, but there are a
few helpful methods that can help decrease the risk factors such as observing online
activities that are conducted either on the home computer or on a cell phone and or
tablet. Inform teens that while privacy should be respected, checking of cell phones, text
messages, emails and social networking sites may occur if suspicion arises. Setting clear

expectations for the child, such as proper etiquette of the usage of mobile devices
and social media as well as the consequences involved for misuse. Encourage children to
inform parents if there is any type of cyber bullying occurring in their surroundings
while explaining that their cell phones or computer will not be taken away if they
confide in you. Engage in open conversations regarding cyber bullying, and explain that
nothing should be shared online that would be embarrassing to anyone. Inform kids to
keep their passwords safe, and not to share them with friends which may compromise
their security. (Cyber bullying Research Center, 2004)
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Recommendations
The impact of cruel, repeated verbal attacks can cause severe consequences. Many
people have started to push for punishment against cyber bullies, or in juvenile cases the
parents to be responsible. The subject is very controversial as it can impose a threat to
lawmakers as the very subject itself is hard to prove, especially who is involved with the
internet being so enormous.
Many parents need to be concerned with what their children are doing online, sites their
children are visiting, who they are talking or writing to, and look for signs of any
changed behavior. Since most of Americas teens are online and are able to readily
access the community with ease, it is hard for parents to protect and watch their
children. Children may become bullied victims in a second just from entering into a chat
room, game room, or message board. Parents should notify the authorities when
suspicious of any type of electronic media where they feel their child is being attacked,
as this could prevent the problem from escalating from petty bullying, to criminal levels,
or worse death.
When a parent finds their child is already involved, or is about to be involved with cyber
bullying they need to take action. Many methods to prevent and escalate cyber bullying
can be used in the same way one would use with direct bullying. Parents should tell their
children to not reply back to the harassing user, and ignore the attacks by blocking the
bullys screen name or email address. Always keep some type of proof from the attacks
when possible in case the situation transforms into threatening messages (Wireless
News). A huge advantage to shutting down cyber bullying is to find out the real identity

of the bully. If the bully is a classmate, contact the bullys parents directly and inform
them of the situation.
Cyber bullying is not limited to verbal threats and name calling, but sexual predators
also flourish within the online community. Many young adults have been targets of
sexual predators, and while it internet is huge it only takes a determined predator to
find their targets home address. A study of 28 million of children who browse the
internet found 19% of children and young adults in the age range of 10-17 year olds have
received unwanted sexual advances (Hansen).
The justice system may not get involved unless a direct attack is made to threaten
someones life; many schools are getting involved with protecting their students and
faculty, just like a school in Chicago, IL. Teachers found hateful blog postings stating
certain students wanted to, slit the teachers neck like a chicken (Gillis). Upon
notification to the schools administrators, the school suspended the students involved.
The United States Supreme Court is involved with limiting the students right to free
expression in favor for school safety (Gillis). Schools should have the right to help
protect their instructors if the instructors feel in danger for their life. Most instructors
usually have some type of syllabus at the beginning of the class that gives a brief
summary of class objective and rules. Students should be made aware of cyber threats
against the instructor will lead to punishment. Either students or their guardians are
required to sign to prove they agree to this rule, so the school will have proof of the
possible consequences if the contract is broken.
Schools need to have a system for protecting the students. When children are afraid of
the classroom because of rumors or threatening electronic messages, this does not
create an effective learning environment. An 11 year old girl received an email saying,
You dont know me. But I know you. Ive been watching you at school. If I were you, Id
be very scared. Sleep with one eye open. Down on your knees bitch! (Shariff). The girls
students parents contacted the school, and eventually a few boys confessed of sending
the threatening email. The boys did not receive any form of punishment, while the
bullying continued online and during school hours.
Students should be allowed to post criticizing topics about instructors, classmates,
homework, and whatever they feel like. If the criticizing topics do not include any type of
threatening remarks, then the students First Amendment right has not been violated.

The First Amendment consists of, Freedom of Speech, which has allowed the Supreme
Court to waive many cases. In New Jersey, a young adult won a case at the Supreme
Court against his school district for violating his First Amendment right. The school
suspended the student for a website the youth made criticizing the school. The school
had to pay out a total of $117,500 to the youth (Baldas).
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After the bullying event has occurred, what steps are needed to help get over the
attacks? Many victims develop anxiety, depression, paranoia, and can become isolated
from social events. If parents notice their child is not recovering from the attacks on
their own, professional help is required. Children seeking treatment from effects of
cyber bullies attacks have a higher chance of a full recovery. Some attacks may never
completely stop if the trouble originates on school ground. If a child is seeking
professional help with someone they can trust, it will help them tremendously. Quick
enough action will result in the child not allowing emotional damage from entering into
adulthood.
Cyber bullying has become a large problem in the world. Threatening attacks from the
internet can cause severe emotional damage to the victim. Schools need to step in and
protect their faculty and students when threatening attacks are reported, or when any
type of cyber bullying occurs on campus. While Freedom of Speech is a hard topic to
define, students have the right to criticize who and what they want on cyberspace within
reason. Parents need to monitor their children better while browsing online and need to
pay close attention and look for any signs of distress. Parents cant protect their child all
the time, but they need to understand the damaging effects cyber bullying can have on a
young mind. Bullies should be punished for their hurtful and cold attacks and if the
child is a minor, then their parents or guardians should receive from type of
punishment. This would help parents to get involved with their childrens actions
towards other human beings.
Conclusion
Cyber bullying continues to be an extreme concern in our communities as it causes
damage to emotions, self-confidence and psychological stability of the victims involved.
As teen bullies feel fearless while attempting to be anonymous, more victims should
report such crimes to the respective authorities to avoid further complications. To help

with the fight against cyber bullying parents and teachers should continue to monitor
teens for possible signs and symptoms, and engage in open conversations and
encourage positive reinforcement. As technology continues to evolve the status of cyber
bulling has potential to develop as well, if nothing is done to prevent it. While cyber
bullying in high school is an easy way for bullies to attack their victims without having to
be seen, it continues to be a serious problem among teenagers, which should be strongly
dealt with.