RD Reflection: May issue, Cyber Bullying

The article mainly talks about the popular issue among teenagers now, or even children and adults. They are all facing the same problem -- cyber bullying. Besides, this issue has been really popular over the internet, which becomes a major problem faced by people now.

Cyber bullying involves the use of information and communication technologies to support deliberate, repeated, and hostile behaviour by an individual or group, that is intended to harm others. Cyberbullying can be as simple as continuing to send e-mail to someone who has said they want no further contact with the sender, but it may also include threats, sexual remarks, pejorative labels .Though the use of sexual remarks and threats are sometimes present in cyber-bullying, it is not the same as sexual harassment and does not involve sexual predators.

Recently, as seen in Straits Times, there's been a case about a teenage being a victim of cyber bullying by her school mates. And the news came to a climax, that due to this consistent bullying, she commited sucide.

I don't think cyber bullying is a joke, as it can be leading to serious cases, such as attempting suicide.

As seen in BBC, cyber-bullying may be influenced by videos that are uploaded to video sharing websites online which contain offensive content or examples of acts of bullying. Websites that currently do not filter such videos, such as Youtube and Metacafe or other websites, have been asked to take legal action against videos of people being attacked, harassed or ridiculed, in order to reduce cyber-bullying as a result of the influence. Some jurisdictions are currently using the videos posted on YouTube as evidence in later convictions and as a way of monitoring youth.

I think that it is extremely important to stop cyber bullying from gradually happening around us, and essential incentives must be taken to stop cyber bullying. Adults or parents should be more alert to their children's behavious. Some children may not only be victim of cyber bullying, they may also be a cyber bully themselves. I think that kids nowadays attempt cyber bullying to their friends, often because they are motivated by anger, revenge or frustration. Sometimes they do it for entertainment or because they are bored and have too much time on their hands and too many toys available to them. Many do it for laughs or to get a reaction. Some do it by accident, and either send a message to the wrong recipient or didn't think before they did something.

So how should we take measures to stop cyber bullying? Many cyber bullies do not seen themselves as bad, as they often see themselves as righting wrongs, or protecting or defencing themselves. Cyber bullying may be done in a group, or even alone by themselves, and parents should not neglect their children. Instead, they should show and give them more care and concern. Some can bring them to visit a psycologist to cure this problem as soon as possible.

Victims of cyber bullying should not keep all these to themselves, as they might be depressed, and commit suicide at the spur of a moment. Instead, they should talk to someone, either a school cousillor, or a teacher or even your best friends.

I think that peace should be maintained in all kind of situations. Cyber bullies should also think about this issue, are they happy and contented bullying someone? I guess the answer would be a "no". It isn't happy or something to be worth feeling merry about, when someone is being bullied. So stop cyber bullying!

Written by:

Givon Lim
3F ( 7)