Physical Bullying is Worse than Cyberbullying - Essay Example

Physical Bullying is Worse than Cyberbullying Cyberbullying is a very complex form of harassment to avoid and monitor. The important dissimilarity between cyberbullying and physical bullying makes the effect of cyberbullying more serious. Cyberbullying is also the ability to harass an individual without physical contact. Even though victims of physical bullying might be safe while at home, targets of cyberbullying can be confronted from any place (Menza). Some authors have constantly argued that cyberbullying is worse than physical bullying. Conversely, physical bullying is worse than cyberbullying because they always lead to serious physical fights that can cause harm or might lead to the death of the victims. Susan Swearer in her article titled "Traditional Forms of Bullying Remain a More Prevalent and Serious Problem," believes that physical bullying is more serious than cyberbullying (Swearer). The author stated that a huge percentage of learners in various schools in United States are still facing different forms of traditional bullying like extortion, being knocked, and exclusion from the rest of their colleagues. This increases their chances of getting physical injuries or even sometimes death. Swearer also asserts that physical bullying was more rampant in the work environments. In the two scenarios discussed, it is clear that the author is trying to validate her claim because internet is not highly used in such areas. People physically interact in schools and work environments thereby increasing the chances of physical bullying. When the author stated that, “Cyber-bullying has received enormous attention since the 2006 suicide of Megan Meier,” it is evidently clear that physical bullying has been in existence for many years (Swearer). There are high chances that it might still exist for the rest of the years. However, with cyberbullying, it is likely to last for few years, as it can be easily regulated through the control of internet application. Even though there are some high-profile reported cases of cyberbullying like teenagers committing suicide, people should not be diverted from the consequences of more common forms of physical bullying. Regardless of the various forms of physical bullying like teenagers fighting rumors concerning their sexual orientation, withstanding disapproval of their clothes or getting assault within the school environment, there are high chances of teenagers being bullied offline. Even though it is not easy to categorize bullying character among teenagers, it is agreeable that many students experience physical bullying including being hit, pushed, beaten up, gossiped about, frightened or excluded from participating in social groups. The author authenticates this assumption by associating it with the results of a study carried out in the United States. Based on the research, it was established that more than 25 percent of the learners in America experiences physical bullying. The other research carried out by the Josephson Instituted had indicated that more than 47 percent of teenagers in schools had experienced physical bullying while less than 10 percent where cyber bullied (Swearer). Considering the nature of physical bullying, it is evidently clear that teenagers are likely to get more injuries from physical bullying; hence, it will remain to be worse than cyberbullying. These assumptions made by Swearer are more valid because the author has used research evidences to clearly explain why physical bullying is worse than cyberbullying. Based on the assertions made by Susan Swearer one of the underlying reasons why physical bullying is worse is that it can involve suicide. There are a number of factors that can contribute to an individual committing suicide after being bullied including family record of suicide, hopelessness, substance abuse, and isolation. Other factors that might lead to suicide include easy access to weapons, medication, and mental illness. The above-mentioned factors have serious consequences when compared to that of cyberbullying. The in the article titled "Cyberbullying Is Not Worse than Physical Bullying," the main claim of Amanda Lenhart is that teenagers have always accepted that they are bullied when they are not using the internet (Lenhart). Based on the results of the study, conducted to establish the prevalence of physical bullying, the author indicated that majority of the boys and girls had accepted that they are likely to experience physical bullying while at home. This means that they are also likely to get physical injuries, commit suicide or perform harmful acts while they are at home. Arguably, this is a clear indication that physical bullying is worse than cyberbullying. In most cases, physical bullying involved hitting an individual, neglect, and harassment. These factors can have extreme mental effects on the victims as compared to sending pictures through the internet. For instance, the level of irritation will be high in an individual who has been hit than someone who has received irritating messages online. This clearly states why physical bullying is worse than cyberbullying. The author further stated that there is a better chance of teenager being physically bullied in school than in the internet. For cyber bullying, the teenager must have access to a computer with internet or must be online. This means that there are high chances of the teenagers getting involved in physical fights that might eventually cause injuries. In addition, physical is not only found in schools, and job environments, but also at home; hence it is something that is more common than cyberbullying. This implies that there are high chances of an individual getting physical injuries or dying caused by the confrontations. Based on the results of the research carried out to establish the impact of cyberbullying, 15 percent of the learners agreed that they had sent private information while 13 percent agreed that their colleagues had spread gossips about them. However, when questioned about their feelings concerning the most frequent form of bullying they had experienced, more than 67 percent of the learners accepted that bullying regularly occurs when the teenagers are not online. From this perspective, it is evidently clear that physical bullying is not only a common form of bullying, but also worse than cyberbullying. Unlike cyberbullying, physical bullying can involve racial discrimination where some teenagers from a certain ethnic background might not be permitted to interact with teenagers from another race. For instance, research carried out indicated that African American students, in certain schools, are not allowed to study or interact with other White students. This increases the level of hatred between the two groups; hence, they are likely to involve in fights when they meet, especially in the neighborhoods. According to the article “Opposing Viewpoints Online Collection,” the author supports the notion that physical bullying is worse by providing the different types of physical bullying that are always common in schools. The author asserts that school bullying comprises of physical conflict between learners, ridicule, and humiliation (Detroit). These factors have serious consequences compared with the effect of other types of cyberbullying. Physical bullying resulting from relationship issues is also more dangerous than that of cyberbullying. In this case, the victims will have physical contact with each other and this can result into injuries or death when fighting breaks out. Previously, physical bullying in schools used to be in the form of ridicule and degradation of the targeted learners in front of their colleagues. This greatly changed as bullied learners are turning in the use of conflicts. This might come in the form of committing suicide or carrying out dangerous actions against the bullies or other learners. Arguably, this form of physical bullying can be deduced to be more dangerous than that of cyberbullying. The author has supported the thesis statement by providing an example of a student Santana High school who killed his colleagues because he was tired of being harassed. Additionally, the author has failed to discuss positive impacts of physical bullying thereby implying that it is dangerous. Various studies have indicated that this type of bullying can start at a young age even before the victims start using the technology that may expose them to cyberbullying. Therefore, teenagers grow up when they are well conversant with the various forms of physical bullying. This means that they are more likely to physically bully their colleagues thereby causing harm. The author supports the notion that physical bullying is worse than cyberbullying by providing an example of the death of Phoebe Prince in which his colleagues were charged with different offences like provocation, rape, and assault. The author further warns that physical bullying is common and has been in existence even before the introduction of social network sites; hence, learners should avoid disagreements amongst themselves. Perpetrators of physical bullying are usually stronger than their victims, and they have friends who condone their behavior. These bullies usually have difficulties with self-control, caring for others and following rules. Physical bullies are at a higher risk of future problems of criminal behavior, violence and failure in career or relationships. Unlike cyber bullying, victims of physical bullying may be socially marginalized for particular reasons like ethnicity or weight. It is further stated that traditional physical bullying is harder to stop and avoid. This type of bullying is more predominant in schools, which every teenager must attend thereby increasing their chances of being bullied. Conversely, Scott Meech in his article titled, “Cyberbullying Is Worse than Physical Bullying,” believes that cyberbullying is worse. According to his clams, this type of bullying is dangerous because it exposes the victims such that a large group of people can humiliate them (Meech). This humiliation can be facilitated by the fact that images or taunts can easily be distributed through the internet. The author further asserts that vulnerable people do not have any place to hide in order to avoid cyberbullying because it comes even into homes and attacks the technologies that most teenagers currently rely on for communication. For instance, almost every teenager has a cellphone within his/her reach. This implies that they can easily be bullied anywhere and every time through their cellphones. Other electronic gadgets like iPads can also increase the rate at which teenagers are bullied online. Additionally, it is further stated that damaging messages meant to destabilize the reputation of an individual can be far more dangerous than the physical quarrels. Yalda Uhls has also supported this assertion in his article titled, "Cyberbullying Has a Broader Impact than Traditional Bullying." Arguably, the author is wrong in using the statement that cyberbullying can reach our homes to support his assertions. Even though many people use phones while at home, but it would be easy to avoid such forms of bullying by using the internet appropriately. It would not be easy to avoid physical bullying while at home. Cyberbullying is worse than traditional physical bullying due to the aspect of anonymity. It is very easy for bullies to create fake social media accounts or use valid emails to harass their victims. This has created new social implications as internet bullies hide behind their computers with false identities, which traditional bullies in the playground could never do. Cyber bullies believe that they are free to perform the dreadful acts associated with bullying because there are no direct repercussions. For traditional bullying, the physical and emotional abuse of the victim may only last a few years. However, the effects of cyberbullying may be long-lasting and have traumatic effects on the victims. This is worsened by the lack of limitations typically found in traditional bullying. Considering that both forms of bullying are not legal, it is necessary for the parent, lawmakers, and teachers to play their role or work together to ensure that the problem does not get worse, as this might negate other severe consequences. According to Detroit, legislators and activists should ensure that bullying is reduced in schools by introducing strict anti-bullying laws. For instance, the laws should demand that the schools submit complete anti-bulling reports to the relevant authorities. They should also be aware that preventive measures are not effective enough when it comes to reducing physical bullying. Therefore, they should introduce programs that concentrate on the provision of reports on the incidences of bullying or punishing the bullies. Schools can also play an important role of changing the culture that backs bullying by collecting relevant information concerning bullying and coming up with viable intervention measures. For instance, students should be taught to understand, reject, and report any cases of bullying. On the other hand, teachers should educate the learners on the importance of being confident and creating good relationships with their colleagues (Swearer). Parents should educate their children on the lasting consequences of bullying. In conclusion, physical bullying is worse that cyberbullying because it involves physical conflict. It is not easy for an individual to be injured because of cyberbullying. However, physical bullying might lead to dangerous actions like committing suicide or cause harm to an individual (Harding). Conversely, Scott Meech disagrees with other authors by stating that victims of cyberbullying are more vulnerable because they can be attacked anywhere including their homes. Works Cited "Bullying." Opposing Viewpoints Online Collection. Detroit: Gale, 2015. Opposing Viewpoints in Context. Web. 11 Feb. 2015 Harding, Kate. "Social Networking Sites Cannot Be Blamed for Bullying." Are Social Networking Sites Harmful? Ed. Stefan Kiesbye. Detroit: Greenhaven Press, 2011. At Issue. Rpt. from "More Teen Troubles Blamed on Social Networking." Salon.com. 2009. Opposing Viewpoints in Context. Web. 25 Mar. 2015. Lenhart, Amanda. "Cyberbullying Is Not Worse than Physical Bullying." Media Violence. Ed. David M. Haugen and Susan Musser. Detroit: Greenhaven Press, 2009. Opposing Viewpoints. Rpt. from "Cyberbullying and Online Teens." Pew Internet & American Life Project. 2007. Opposing Viewpoints in  Meech, Scott. "Cyber-Bullying Is Worse than Physical Bullying." Media Violence. Ed. David M. Haugen and Susan Musser. Detroit: Greenhaven Press, 2009. Opposing Viewpoints. Rpt. from "Cyber Bullying: Worse Than Traditional Bullying." Educators eZine. 2007. Opposing Viewpoints in Context. Web. 11 Feb. 2015. Menza, Kaitlin. "Should schools punish cyberbullies?" Choices/Current Health Apr. 2015: 2+. Opposing Viewpoints in Context. Web. 8 Apr. 2015. Swearer, Susan M. "Traditional Forms of Bullying Remain a More Prevalent and Serious Problem." Cyberbullying. Ed. Louise I. Gerdes. Detroit: Greenhaven Press, 2012. At Issue. Rpt. from "Five Myths About Bullying." Washington Post. 2010. Opposing Viewpoints in Context. Web. 8 Apr. 2015. Uhls, Yalda T. "Cyberbullying Has a Broader Impact than Traditional Bullying." Cyberbullying. Ed. Louise I. Gerdes. Detroit: Greenhaven Press, 2012. At Issue. Rpt. from "Is Bullying Going Digital? Cyber Bullying Facts." PsychologyinAction.org. 2010. Opposing Viewpoints in Context. Web. 8 Apr. 2015. Read More