Cyber Bullying

Cyberbullying has become an epidemic around the world. This can be attributed to the influx of technology and the greater access to the internet. As a result of the increase of technology, numerous social media communities have been created. They are now a part of everything we do and can be linked to every television show, restaurant, store and food product we consume. Although these networks were designed to connect people from all over the world and began with benign intents, they have grown into a playground for online bullies. As the newest generation comes of age will become the first generation to have had access to the internet their entire lives. The problem is that many of them have become addicted to these networks and base their social relationships off of them. These new technological addictions bring a number of issues to the table. The first is that users are uploading all of their lives into the internet. People are now able to see everything you have done, every place you have been, every friend or relationship you have had, and even all of your moods on certain days. This flood of personal information leads to vulnerability. If one can see every aspect of your life, it allows them to ridicule and critique it as well. And since users are connected to these networks at all hours of the day, they are able to be harassed at all hours of the day.

Before the internet, victims of bullies usually suffered only during school hours. With the spread of technology, bullies can assault on holidays, weekends and at any hour of the night. As users upload their information on the web, they become emotionally attached and can be deeply affected by what others express about them via comments, blogs, or pictures. The social networks allow everyone to participate or spectate in this online bullying. This becomes entertainment to others who are not participating (such as a fight is entertainment for the viewers) and can carry over to school relationships. This problem needs to be handled now before it becomes too out of control.