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Cyberbullying: Think Before you Click
Thursday, December 16, 2010 By Mandisa Shields, Staff Reporter
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What are you doing right now? Texting a friend? Updating your Facebook page? Sending a tweet? You probably answered yes to one or more of those questions and it isn’t surprising; technology has become a vital part of modern life. But what happens when technology is used to express feelings of anger or frustration towards another person? That’s when technology goes bad and cyberbullying occurs.

According to the National Crime Prevention Council, cyberbullying is "when the Internet, cell phones or other devices are used to send or post text or images intended to hurt or embarrass another person." This may sound like some harmless right of passage that all teens have to go through but recent reports of suicides due to cyberbullying say otherwise.

One of these incidents was the suicide of Tyler Clementi, the Rutgers freshman who jumped off the George Washington Bridge this past Sept. 22. After being humiliated by two classmates who streamed a live video of his gay encounter, Clementi jumped to his death.

Although this problem seems distant, it may be closer to home than we think. According to the United States Department of Justice, one in four children between ages 11 and 19 have experienced cyberbullying; that same research says that girls are twice as likely to be victims or perpetrators of cyberbullying than boys.

When asked if she’s ever experienced cyberbullying, Sophomore Zaleeyah Wilcher said, "On Twitter, people comment negatively to everything, but that’s why there’s security and unfollowing, I really appreciate that." In contrast, an anonymous SJHS student said, "It’s not that big of a problem because nobody can make you kill yourself. People are gonna talk about you all the time."

Junior Romie Petit-Homme disagreed, saying, "It is a big deal because it leads to suicidal thoughts."

When asked if there have been any instances of cyberbullying on a school computer, Mr. Nagel said, "Not that I know of because we have a good website filter that blocks Facebook and other social networking sites where cyberbullying usually occurs."

Even if a teenager manages to withstand cyberbullying, there will always be a part of it she carries with her. Besides the toll on a person’s mental health, cyberbullying may affect her future aspirations as well. "When you apply for jobs and businesses look you up, you might be negatively affected by the things people say," says Romie.

In conclusion, some think that cyberbullying is a big problem, even at St. Joseph. Some think that it’s a problem but well-managed, and others think that it isn’t a problem at all. No matter what you think, it’s smart for everyone to consider the effects of what they’re typing or texting before hitting send.

For more information about cyberbullying, go to www.stopcyberbullying.org.

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28 COMMENTS - Add your comment below

1/10/2011 1:26:14 AM by Amanda Andrew    
i agree with the article. Cyberbullying is something that has been occuring for years and it's time for cyber bullying to stop. Many children,teens even adults have commited suicide due to this horrible act of violence and hatred. Think before you speak, and make sure you re-read what you are about to send. Many think a joke is just a joke but what may be a joke to you is a very serious insult to someone else. Instead of sending something negative a positive comment can bright up someone's day. Have a wonderful week :-)
1/5/2011 1:24:27 PM by Stephanie Octavius    
It is true that cyberbullying on facebook,Twitter,BBN,Aim or anyother form of socialnetwork are a threat to teen with low confidences because of the mental health of teens. I believe that people who do cyberbully online or text are chicken scared low scums who need to stop prying on innocent people.I believe as a SJHS woman we should rise up from immature thing such as this.
1/5/2011 9:42:54 AM by Dominique Bostic    
I agree, i think cyberbullying is a big problem in today's world. Cyberbullying is an easier way to bully somebody than in person. It's easier to send a text message or converse over the internet than in person. This type of bullying should be taken very seriously and more people need to be aware of Cyberbullying especially parents. More kids are committing suicide due to Cyberbullying
1/5/2011 8:31:00 AM by Chanel Taveras    
I agree that cyber bullying should not be tollerated. It is a big cause for suicide know-a-days. Many teenagers have killed themselves over humiliations of this sort. I believe tha it also affects a persons proffessional life. When you apply for a job, they look for your accounts and when they see that you write down dirty things or are a cruel person, this affects the outcome, of you either getting the job or not getting it atall.Its happening everywhere and if you dont like it, i would suggest you make a law against it or dont make accounts for these websites. Its one thing for people to talk about you, but its another for it to be known worldwide by just a click of a mouse. People dont think about their actions and how it can affect a person.
1/5/2011 8:21:17 AM by Skye Ward    
Cyberbullying is very common in today's world. Cyberbullying happens most with the younger generation. It's easier for people to send a mean or rude message then to say it face to face. Cyberbullying is the easiest way to bully these days. I think Cyberbullying should really be taken more seriously!
1/5/2011 6:11:31 AM by Kia Robinson    
1. For years Cyberbullying has been a problem, teens have been a major result of this. The social websites we apper on have many bad qualities as well as good. Sometimes people do not say very nice and respectful things to others which cause people to act out maybe in a positive way or negative way. 2. As teens, we do many things to other people and think its funny. Sometimes we dont realize how hard other people take it and how sad it makes them. Going online and making fun of people especially when you know is wrong is a horriable thing to do and deserves punishment. 3. Many times parents do not know what is going on with their child especially online activites. Teens often hide what they are doing from there parents knowing thier wrong. Some people feel like people will always say somethng you dont like and that you should just move on but other take it more personal. 4. In the cyber world we need to pay more attention to the things we do and say also the things we post. It can sometimes affect us in the future for school or a job. Re Reading and Re Wording things can get us a long way if we just think before we act. 5. No one should EVER be abused weather it is in person or online. We should all be postive and be their for others for you may never know what goes on in their life. It just may be that one thing you said that causes a person to take there life.
1/5/2011 4:12:29 AM by Elizabeth M.    
Cyberbullying is wrong and I'm glad SJHS blocked sites that allow cyberbullying to occur. Its true that most people that get cyberbullied are teens and those teens result to suicide when getting targeted. I also think its wrong that other teens pick on other teens through the internet, like if you can't sat it in person, you might as well not as it at all because it shows that your scared to say how you feel in person and might as well bully over the internet. Those who bully cyberly are cowards , in my opinion, and it only shows that your weak and heartless, to say such things, cause it can hurt the one you targeted and can cause great danger.
1/4/2011 11:51:05 PM by Astrid Alonzo    
I love and definitely agree with this article because the internet and social networks can cause a problem when used in a negative way. As we well know, there are many teens in this day and age that suffer from self-esteem issues. Some tend to look to social networks to make some friends but end up being bullied online. These negative remarks or harmful words cause a teen' s self-esteem to sink even lower,leading to depressing or suicidal thoughts. We all should be careful of who we talk to or become friends with online because it could lead to cyberbullying. We should also be careful of what we say to others to prevent ourselves from becoming the bullies.
1/4/2011 11:48:10 PM by Astrid Alonzo    
I love and definitely agree with this article because the internet and social networks can cause a problem when used in a negative way. As we well know, there are many teens in this day and age that suffer from self-esteem issues. Some tend to look to social networks to make some friends but end up being bullied online. These negative remarks or harmful words cause a teen' s self-esteem to sink even lower,leading to depressing or suicidal thoughts. We all should be careful of who we talk to or become friends with online because it could lead to cyberbullying. We should also be careful of what we say to others to prevent ourselves from becoming the bullies.
1/4/2011 10:57:21 PM by Briana    
I feel strongly when it comes to the topic of cyber buylling. It hurts me to hear about teenagers dying because of the ignorance people have toward one another. I had it happen to me, but I don't pay no mind to it, but not everyone can think the way I do. The way I look at it is, that teenager that killed themselves could've been a friend of mine. Something needs to be done. Sometimes a joke is taken to far. I think those who do it should think before they post.
1/4/2011 10:56:54 PM by Gekeira Taylor    
I feel cyberbulling is a serious issue that needs to stop. Many people have lost their lives dued to bullying. Its sad to say it but girls in our school has been cyberbulled or has done the bullying. Especially on social networks such as Twitter and Facebook. I feel cyberbulling should be stooped because how many innocent lives will be losted before something changes.
1/4/2011 10:42:14 PM by rolondra Davis    
I honestly agree with this article. Most teen is this generation do not think before they click. Which can and have high risk of danger? Many teens have verbal or physical dispute which can cause danger also, but not knowing thats saying things over the internet is more dangerous cause you don't know what others are doing on the other end of the computer. Cyberbulling can lead to a lot of things such as low self-esteem, sucside, homicide, and physiological problems. As of this past year as stated in this news article cyberbullying lead to many deaths. I believe and would like to get the word out to this future generation that if u have a dispute HANDLING IT OVER THE INTERNET IS NOT THE WAY!!! You honestly never know what other are going through and cyberbully and just make things worse.
1/4/2011 10:14:01 PM by Janiela Vargas    
I believe that cyber bullying is a complete ridiculous thread going around. People should think twice before posting things about others. I don't believe there is an excuse for bullying. Regardless of whether you are being treated bad at home and you feel its the only way to take your frustration out its just unacceptable. I think laws need to be enforced about this or maybe even just some regulations that would put in some structure and order. Sadly though the internet and cyber bullying can't be regulated because it's a vast and complex world in the media.
1/4/2011 9:26:39 PM by Zari Havercome    
I do believe that cyberbulling is a big problem. Sometimes people do not realize how their actions may affect another person especially when it is words said in anger. It makes you think why is it that people lash out virtualy when they can be annonymous. Noth that you would rather it in person but it does say something about the bully's character of being a big whimp. I like this article alot because cyberbullying is not something that only happens in the movies but in real life as well.
1/4/2011 8:54:13 PM by Barbara    
I think that cyberbullying shows the weakness of the victimizer. Even though i see were people are coming from, the written word can sometimes hurt more than actions itself. I believe that most of the times teenagers think that they big and hard when they cyberbully but half of the times if you walk up to the person doing the bullying they are not going to do anything. The victimizer is also type *sorry for the word* Stupid, because everything is written and everyone can see it. so its very very easy to get that person in serious trouble.
1/4/2011 8:48:01 PM by Tyler P.    
I enjoyed reading this article and think it captured the facts and p.o.v. about cyberbulling. I do agree if a person doesn't have the audacity to say it personally face-to-face to another, it would make no sense to cyberbully. However, I do think that not only should others try to stop it but the person who is facing cyberbulling should be confident or strong enough to defend themself, be above it and not let it affect them. Most likely those who cyberbully have something to hide about themselves therefore they hurt others because they don't feel secure and sense a weakness in others; "the weak preys on those who are weaker to feel and appear stronger".. However, most teens don't recognize the "power" of words majority of times.
1/4/2011 7:33:39 PM by Christina Ogbotiti    
I think that cyberbullying is one of the worst forms of bullying today because so many teenagers today has cell phones and are involved with websites, so some people use that for negative purpose. Some teens are able to ignore the terrible comments but others can't because they have low self-esteem, so they can easily be put down and have suicidal thoughts. I feel that cyberbullying should stop because people have no right to hurt other people in anyway. I also believe that people who do cyberbullying are just awful and that they should not be hurting others because of their own issues. I hope that crybullying stops and that everyone find a better way to understand each other in a peaceful way.
1/4/2011 4:19:25 PM by Alia Basley    
I agree with this article and feel that using your computer for cyberbullying is a horrific act teens participate in, but unfortunately it occurs on a regular basis. Even though technology has become an important part of modern life people use it for good as well as evil such as through cyberbullying. I've witnessed cyberbullying toward a friend over several social networking sites and it just makes the bully look like a coward and an idiot for bullying someone over their computer. Cyberbullying just proves how low people will go in order to feel better about themselves, I also feel that cyberbulliers have the lowest self-esteem out of most harassers. Cyberbullying just causes teen depression,suicide, suicidal thoughts, isolation, hatred and many other troubles for the teen being bullied. Who would truly want a person to feel that bad about themselves?
1/4/2011 3:34:14 PM by Hillary    
personally i think cyberbullying is wrong because most people be messes a around with people life and hackers alway trys to hack someone facebook, twitter or other site. people online awlway cyberbully and i alway being afriad what they might do. so young teens should be careful who you talk to on chat site.
1/4/2011 3:33:50 PM by Ashley Roa    
this article is very true. many of the teenagers do mean things and say mean things which are the causes of why many young adults are commiting suicide . i think if many of these bulling on the internet would stop teens and young kids wouldnt take there life away . well also what you do to others you wouldnt want done to you . it also causes depression and having kids on drugs .
1/4/2011 3:28:08 PM by sherden sampson    
Cyberbulling to me is a next form of abuse. It may not be physical but can definately lead to it. I think people who are cyberbullys are a bunch of cold hearted self absorbed low lives who have or show no compassion. Cyberbulling is a very dangerous threat to mostly teengers. I think this needs to be stopped because it can normally lead to a persons death.
1/4/2011 10:28:38 AM by Estrella G.    
I agree with this article ! ! ! I really don't understand why people do this , this is very unnessasary violence. I think that if you got something to say , say up to face not behind the computer ! ! ! People Should be careful who they talk to on the chat websits because you will never know who behind the computer ! ! !
12/21/2010 4:42:05 PM by victoria    
Cyberbulling is unacceptable. It think dat if you can't say it in real life then definatley don't say it in the cyber world. Cyberbulling is dangerous and can lead to unnessasary violence.
12/21/2010 10:19:47 AM by Torriece Wilburn    
I think this is a good article because it is true that most people are causing harm to others when they chose to violate people over internet .....
12/20/2010 6:46:02 PM by Destinee Thomas    
Cyber bullying is sad and is the LAMEST thing a person can ever do! Peace to the world and keep it like that ☮ ♥ ( :
12/20/2010 6:23:46 PM by Markise    
I hope cyberbullying stop, it isn't right, and doesn't make sense.
12/20/2010 2:40:00 PM by SARAH    
This was my favorite article in the newspaper. Great Job!
12/20/2010 2:19:21 PM by Magnolia Cagle    
This is true most teens dont know what they are causing another teen to do when sending threats through text twitter facebook, etc. Sometimes teens know you can when they see you do something that will make you regret threating them or sometimes kill themselves.
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