Staff Editorial
Cyber-bullying has become a recurring issue among adolescents in today’s society. Children are being harassed, threatened, and embarrassed by their peers through popular Internet sites, e-mails, and text messages. These attacks have caused some children to go so far as to commit suicide. Even though not all cyber-bullying crimes result in such extreme consequences, those involved all suffer in some way.
Virginia law now makes cyber-bullying a crime. Cyber-bullying applies to all bullying between one child under the age of 18 and another. Cyber-bullying becomes cyber-harassment or cyber-stalking once someone over the age of 18 becomes involved. Creating laws that show that cyber-based harassment is unacceptable while individuals are young sets a precedent that works to prevent it from continuing throughout their lives.
Cyber-bullying should never be tolerated, as it hurts not only the person being bullied, but also the person guilty of harassment. Those being bullied must deal with issues of poor self-esteem because of damaging comments, and even threats on their lives in extreme cases. Those who are guilty of cyber-bullying also suffer because it creates bad habits and hinders the creation of good social skills, not to mention the penalties law enforcement can enact against them. No one should ever have to feel violated, harassed, or endangered by their peers in person, or through an Internet based resource.
Preventing cyber-bullying helps to ensure that adolescents will have a more safe experience while using Internet resources. The Internet can be a very rewarding medium for learning and socializing, if used correctly.
Becca Soon • Mar 29, 2012 at 9:00 pm
I agree with the article when it says that cyber bullying should not be tolerated. Cyber-bullying gives bullies an advantage of being able to sit behind a computer screen and say whatever they want and think they will not get caught. So many things can be posted and said where so many people can see it and that can lead to harming another person mentally and emotionally. I think if some one sees this, they should report and the school or parents should get involved. Cyber bullying is also very resourceful though, because if a bully was just to say something in person, he or she could just say that they did not say it. On the other hand, the internet never forgets! So, whatever the bully might have put on a Facebook post or tweet can be retrieved and used against them. Cyber bulling is a problem and should not be ignored.
Bradley Cooper • Jan 1, 2012 at 11:19 am
All forms of cyber bullying can be avoided. Social networking cites allow people to block others (prevent them from seeing or commenting on your updates/pictures/etc.). Also, if something offends you, you can report it. Eventually, if the person gets reported enough times, they will be removed from the site.
Matt Schneck • Dec 30, 2011 at 10:33 am
Cyber-bullying is a problem sweeping the nation that is negatively affecting teenagers everywhere. I agree with the article when it states that cyber bullying should never be tolerated. Cyber bulling provides a safe haven for they less confident bullies as they have a computer screen or a cell phone keyboard to hide behind. Problems like this need to be addressed by school organizations. I would like to see the newspaper get involved with creating a solution rather than just stating the problem.
Cara Lucy • Mar 4, 2011 at 9:00 am
People who cyber bully are people who are too scared to confront people in public. While all bullying is bad, it is very immature to do it while hiding behind a computer screen. If you have problems with someone, it should be handled in a mature adult way.
Josh Kent • Mar 3, 2011 at 7:33 pm
I totally agree with this article. Cyber bullying shows a lack of confidence and maturity in the bullier because they are unable to confront someone in a purposeful, controlled maner and act very immature by typing something mean about someone and making it available for the world to see.
Diana O. • Jan 14, 2011 at 8:58 am
Bullying has no excuse. There is no point in cyber bullying because it shows weakness to hide behind a computer and hurt others feelings. Bullies should just grow up and admit to their wrong doings. Our society is being changed with technology but we shall not forget the golden rule to do others as they you would want done to you.
Carrie Young • Jan 13, 2011 at 9:31 pm
Obviously, the person who is doing the bullying is a coward, insecure, jealous, etc. Cyberbullying doesn’t make sense at all to me. Everyone knows that you may be mean over the screen, but if the same situation were to happen face-to-face, it would never escalate as much as it does online.
Unique Larry • Jan 2, 2011 at 5:06 pm
I believe that there really is no point to cyberbullying just like physical bullying it hurts. Cyberbullies eventually get caught because of how advanced our technnology has become, it can always be traced back to that person whomever they may be.
shelby reynolds • Jan 2, 2011 at 10:59 am
I think that with the advance of technology it has allowed ppl the opportunity to be lazy and not do the more sincere things.. such as writing a letter rather than texting or emailing. or saying the things ur supposed to say in person over the phone or on txt or internet such as, “i love you” “lets break up”. People are also to cowardly to express their personal problems with a person to their face and then put it on the internet making matter worse.These things have become a big problem in todays society. If people would just grow up and realize the right channel to get across a message..things would be much easier and less painful for both parties involved.
Madison Guidry • Dec 17, 2010 at 9:36 pm
I think cyberbullying is ridiculous. People who do it are pathetic and do not have the courage to say it to people’s face. Like Rachel said, if you have nothing nice to say, don’t say anything at all. If we have to resort to Facebook to bully someone, our society needs a reality check.
Rachel Arnold • Dec 15, 2010 at 4:04 pm
Everyone has heard the saying, “If you can’t say something nice then don’t say it at all.” The same thing goes for typing. When a person says something over the Internet about someone else it only proves that they know how to type, not that they are better than anyone else. I really wish these people could see how immature what they’re doing is.
Raya Girard • Dec 7, 2010 at 4:44 pm
I think people who cyber bully are bigger cowards than the type of bully that says nasty stuff to your face. People who bully by text or face book seem to say nastier stuff because they can hid their face. It takes courage to say things to someones face. Also, I think bullies have a certain degree of mental illness because the stuff I have seen sent to people doesn’t make a lot of sense. Sometimes it is just a bunch of cuss words strung together. Bullying is frightening because you wonder if the bully will actually act violently toward the person they are harassing and what if I am standing next to the person when the bully crosses the line and hurts someone? I think that it is important to support someone when they are being bullied because they feel like it is somehow their fault and they are embarrassed and don’t want to talk about it. A person has to have a lot of courage and perseverance when living with someone who bullies. Also, like any other traumatic thing it helps to have a family that supports you.
Haseena Abdur-Rahman • Dec 4, 2010 at 3:22 pm
I don’t understand why people cyber bully in the first place. It has no benificial value. Parents really need to educate their children on the harm and effects on cyberbullying. Education can help considerably in preventing and dealing with the consequences of cyberbullying. I think the first place to begin an education campaign is with the kids and teens themselves. We need to address ways they can become inadvertent cyberbullies, how to be accountable for their actions and not to stand by and allow bullying in any form to be acceptable.