Cyber Bullying

A – Cyberbullying:

Cyberbullying is a form of bullying or harassment using electronic forms of contact. Cyberbullying has become increasingly common. Especially among teenagers. Bullying or harassment can be identified by repeated behavior and an intent to harm. Only 1 in 10 victims will inform a parent or trusted adult of their abuse. Bullying victims are 2 to 9 times more likely to consider committing suicide. Girls are twice as likely as boys to be victims and perpetrators of cyber bullying. Nina Lakhani’s article “One in five children is victim of cyber-bullying” and Aleks Krotoski’s article “Hate and the internet” both focus on cyberbullying and the issue of it. The texts have two different starting points. Text one deals with children as victims of cyberbullying, and what consequences cyberbullying can result in. “The ARU survey of nearly 500 10- to 19-year-olds found that half of those bullied said their mental health had suffered as a result” (Page 2, line 13). There is mentioned two main problems in connection to cyberbullying: It is more difficult to avoid than traditional bullying. It is harder to avoid someone on the internet and phone rather than in real-life. “Because avoiding the internet and mobile phones just isn’t an option; these are as much part of a young person’s life as brushing their teeth” (P.2, l.20). As well as it is harder to spot for both parents and care givers. “It infiltrates the home, taking away children’s safe spaces. It’s just as serious as physical bullying, but it may be harder for parents and cares to spot” (P. 2, l. 32) The second text has a more general focus is on the internet. It raises the question in its headline:” Does the internet encourage insidious and bullying behavior”. The text lays the foundation for an answer with a “yes” through the description of the author’s first experience with chat rooms in 1996 and through the opinions of Dr. Karen Douglas. “Unfortunately, such actions can have real-life consequences depending on who the hatred is directed at, how often it happens and whether there’s support in place if the victim needs it” (P.4, l. 20). To sum up, the two articles both deals with how people behave when communicating on the modern technology.