The Rise of Cyber Bullying

Modern technology is now part of our daily lives and is very important to us. However, as records as shown, more and more people are misusing the technology provided for us and turning it into a dangerous tool of hurting others.

Most the cyber bullying cases involve teenagers where their schoolmates, classmates or even friends tend to target on them and start harassing the victim like sending repeated emails. Cyber bullies would use crude words on the victim, make up new nicknames and start mocking at the victim which makes things even worse. The victim of cyber bullying would normally start to do badly for their school work, not able to concentrate well and in some even worse cases, the victim might even choose to end their life to end all the stress he or she is taking from cyber bullying. For example, Ryan Halligan who was taunted for months by people that pretended to be nice to him and back stab him at he back. He could not cope with all the pressure he received and commit suicide.

A study shows that one-third of the American teenager Internet users have been targets of cyber bullying and this is not just a laughing matter. If more and more people are victims of cyber bullying, then cases of teenagers committing suicide might increase and causing family members, relatives or even some of their friends to get upset and unable to get over the sadness of losing a loved one.

I think that we should really stop cyber bullying from happening around our society and definitely to cure the root of the problem. Firstly, parents should take more notice of their children to make sure nothing is bothering them and that if they have a problem, inform or tell them immediately so the parents could help them with it. Parents should also warn the children of the consequences of cyber bullying and let the children be sure they would not be bullies in the future.

Secondly, teachers should also take a part in teaching the students of the right and wrongs. Teachers should inform students of all the cases of cyber bullying and how dangerous it could get if the problem is too serious. Letting the students learn of the cases of cyber bullying would allow them to learn not to be a bully and cause trouble to the others. Last but not least, computer or Internet users should also take notice of their own language while posting something online and not to use crude languages. Or else, even though they themselves might not notice it but these are signs of cyber bullying.

If everyone comes together to solve the problem of cyber bullying, I believe cases of cyber bullying would definitely decrease greatly to every one's anticipation.

Teo Wan Lin (27)