How Does Cyber Bulling Affect Teenagers - Research Paper Example

Effects of Cyber Bulling On Teenagers With the development and accessibility of computers and cell phones, cyber bullyinghas rapidly become more prevailing form of bullying among online teenagers (Wang, Iannotti and Nansel 369). More so, in this globalized and digitalized world, teenagers are not safe from online or cyber bullying because most of them are digitally connected. Arguably, teens’ lives exist in many places including part-time jobs and friends’ houses among others, and today, they also have their lives on the internet, and bullying has followed them online. Bhat posits that cyber bullying refer to the use of information and communication technology to intimidate, harass, victimize and harm others (54), and this term is used synonymously with electronic bullying or online social cruelty (Eden, Heiman and Olenik-Shemesh 1036). Cyber bullying incorporates a wide range of behaviors such as sending hate, mean or threatening messages to others through emails or text messages; sharing photo-shopped or embarrassing photos of other people through a cell phone or web; spreading rumors about a certain individual and many others. In addition, this form of harassment is commonly practiced in the absence of parents, teachers or even other responsible adults. This paper provides a thoughtful discussion on the how cyberbullying affects the teenagers. Studies confirm that cyber bullying is a common problem that affects more than 40 percent of American teenagers (Bhat 57). Cyberbullying affects about a half of all American teenagers (Morley 177). Cyber bullying has emerged to be a serious issue that affects many children and teenagers as it significantly contribute to suicide rates among teens in many countries. Suicide has been ranked as the third leading cause of death among American teenagers (Litwiller and Brausch 675). Arguably, cyberbullying is a form of online violence that can cause a lasting harm to young people. Cyber bullying has been associated with the imbalance of power, negative action and aggression (Eden, Heiman and Olenik-Shemesh 1037). Cyber bullying is equally disruptive and threatening just as other acts of violence, but cyber bullying can be worse than other forms of bullying because the bully can remain anonymous and post attacks on the online social network sites. Much of the cyber bullying occurs in social networking sites such as MySpace, Facebook, blogs, and so when a teenager harass others via the internet, that is cyberbullying (Morley 177), and through these sites, hate messages are spread, private emails forwarded and embarrassing photos captured with cell phones posted. Studies reveal that most online teens have experienced some form of online harassment such as cyber bullying and a total stranger has contacted some. Notably, most teens have been bullied but aging, most of them engage in the cyber bullying act. The victims of cyber bullying are literally humiliated in that, the bully may spread information on the internet to be accessed or seen by anyone, and this can affect someone’s life especially how teenagers view themselves. Moreover, this can interfere with the teenagers academically especially because of lack of confidence. Researches show that most online teenagers that were bullied online were most likely to be bullied also at school. Additionally, due to cyber bullying, quite a number of teens especially girls, do commit suicide. Actually, being a victim of cyber bullying can be a common and a painful experience as some teenagers who cyber bully pretend to be other people online so as to trick others, post pictures of the victims without their consent, trick individuals into revealing some personal information, and spread lies or rumors about the victims among others. Sadly, when teenagers were asked why some of them participate in bullying others online, they responded that most cyber bullies think that it is funny to treat others that way. Accordingly, other teens are convinced that teenagers who cyber bully do not always think of the possible consequences of this act, they cannot be caught and according to them, cyber bullying is not a big deal to them. Notably, most teenagers who experience cyberbullying exhibit a variety of emotions, for instance, most of them feel angry, embarrassed, hurt and scared, and this may force them to try seeking revenge on the bully or avoiding friends and their daily activities. Some teenagers who have been the victims of cyberbullying do feel threatened because they are now aware who exactly are bullying them online, and even though most cyberbullies may think that they are anonymous, they can easily be found. Studies reveal that cyber victimization can be linked with psychosocial behaviors like emotional distress (Wang, Iannotti and Nansel 369). Arguably, the major impacts of cyberbullying on teenagers include loneliness, depression and suicide. Mostly, those teenagers who are the victims of online bullying feel isolated in their struggle with their peers, and as a result, they develop a low self-esteem. Victims of cyber bullying always feel dissatisfied with their selves and due to the bullying, they start doubting their worth and value as individuals, and they are also likely to isolate themselves from school groups and activities. Cyber bullying lowers individuals’ self-esteem, eating disorders and the most common effect is suicidal thoughts and actions. Teens who are victims of cyber bullying have the feeling of fear especially from their colleges whom they think might gang up and instill fear or threat on them. Teenagers who have experienced cyber bullying feel that they are vulnerable and powerless. They do not feel safe and the fact that the bullies are anonymous makes them to feel more insecure and afraid. Moreover, those teenagers who are bullied may also experience in-person bullying due to reduced self-esteem, and also when a person experiences any form of online bullying, they feel that they have been trapped somewhere. Cyber bullying causes loneliness and panic attacks, and in some cases, victims of cyber bullying do run away from home, and also some of them may have serious health problems such as poor mental health and persistent feelings of being physically ill. More so, victims of cyber bullying feel exposed and humiliated as the online bullying often feels permanent since the nasty messages or photos shared online, are viewed by many people and being that multitudes of people know the bullying, there will be increased feelings of humiliation. Furthermore, some online-bullied teenagers may use alcohol and drugs as a way of managing their stressful situation, and other truancy behaviors by the teenagers to avoid the bullying behavior. Unfortunately, in some cases, bullied teenagers may decide to commit suicide and take away their own lives. Accordingly, cyberbullying may leads to anxiety and depression among the bullied teenagers. Report shows that victims of cyber bullying are more depressed as compared to face-to-face bullying, and depression leads to the feeling of hopelessness, changes in eating habits, crying among others. Moreover, a teenager suffering from depression is likely to become irritable, begin using alcohol and illegal drugs, and perform poorly in school, and so cyber bullying impacts negatively on teenagers’ lives, for instance, it contributes to inability to concentrate and participate in class fully. It leads to lack of confidence, which in turn leads to drop in their grades at school. Studies reveal that cyber bullying victims have increased rates of absenteeism, as opposed to non-bullied teens. They feel humiliated and embarrassed, and they always try to avoid facing their colleagues who are bullying them. Teenagers who are bullied online are likely to skip school and be unwilling to attend school especially if they suspect those who bully them to be their colleagues at school, and that those who manage to continue schooling are likely to receive poor grades. Reduced academic achievement particularly by the teens that experience cyberbullying is as a result of the difficulties that they have in concentrating in class or being active in a classroom with their bullies. Depression causes suicidal thoughts and suicide attempts among teenagers. Any form of bullying increases the chances of a victimized teenager to experience suicidal thoughts and behaviors (Litwiller and Brausch 676). Cyber bullying victims are persistently tormented by their peers through text messages or emails, and this may rekindle the feeling of worthiness and hopeless and may therefore decide to commit suicide to escape all the pain. More so, online bullying triggers the feelings of sadness, anger and most commonly, embarrassment. In addition, cyber bullying has a negative impact on the quality of the relationship that the teenagers have with their families, peers or even teachers because they often feel disinterested in life and they start perceiving life as hopeless and meaningless, and in some cases, the victims may feel angry and vengeful, to revenge on the bullies. Overall, cyberbullying can have devastating impacts on teenagers’ lives such as depression, isolation or even suicide. Various studies show that cyber bullying is common and is some cases can be severe and adversely affect teenagers’ lives. Cell phones and computers cannot be entirely be blamed for cyber bullying because the social networking sites are supposed to be used positively such as connecting with other people, using them for learning activities, and entertainment among others. Therefore, it is recommended that parents or guardians should try to understand what their children are doing in cyberspace as a way of dealing with cyber bullying. More so, they need to talk to their children about cyber bullying and how to tackle and overcome it in a more reasonable manner. Moreover, they are other actions that have been suggested to enable teenagers stay cyber safe especially when they are online. Some of the reactions of the victims of cyber bullying include deleting messages instantly without even reading them, blocking communication with the cyberbully, report the issue to the internet service provider or website moderator, or even talk to a friend about it among others. This way, most teenagers are able to prevent cyber bullying and be safe when online. Moreover, in order to stay safe online, it is advisable not to post or even share personal information online including internet passwords, inform parents or any other responsible adult about what they are doing online, and never meet anyone that they have only met online among others. Works Cited Bhat, Christine S. Cyber Bullying: Overview and Strategies for School Counsellors, Guidance Officers, and All School Personnel. Australian Journal of Guidance & Counselling, 2008. Vol. 18, No.1, pp. 53–66. Eden, Sigal, Heiman Tali, and Olenik-Shemesh Dorit. Teachers’ perceptions, beliefs and concerns about cyberbullying. British Journal of Educational Technology. 2013. Vol. 44, No. 6, pp. 1036–1052. Litwiller, Brett J., and Brausch Amy M. Cyber Bullying and Physical Bullying in Adolescent Suicide: The Role of Violent Behavior and Substance Use. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 2013. Vol. 42, Iss.5, pp. 675–684. Morley, Deborah. Understanding Computers in a Changing Society, 5th ed. Stamford, CT: Cengage Learning. Wang, Jing, Iannotti Ronald J., and Nansel Tonja R. School Bullying Among Adolescents in the United States: Physical, Verbal, Relational, and Cyber. Journal of Adolescent Health. 2009. Vol. 45, Iss.4, pp.368-375. Read More