Cyber-Bullying

Cyber-bullying is like playground bullying, but it’s done either online or with cell phones. It can take the form of individual harassment, public humiliation, or both. The viral nature of online life and cell phones makes sending humiliating or degrading messages, pictures, or videos simple and immediate. And anonymous. Screen names easily disguise bullies’ identities. Sometimes they can even pretend to be the victims, posting comments that look like the victims wrote them. Other times, the cyberbullying can take the form of direct threats — either physical ones or social ones. (PBSParents)

Cyber-bullying can really harm teens and is a huge problem amongst them. What’s worse is that it doesn’t seem to be going away. It is something that affects teens everyday and has lead to very tragic situations.

Statistics

• Over half of adolescents and teens have been bullied online, and about the same number have engaged in cyber bullying.
• More than 1 in 3 young people have experienced cyberthreats online.
• Over 25 percent of adolescents and teens have been bullied repeatedly through their cell phones or the Internet.
• Over half of young people do not tell their parents when cyber bullying occurs (cyberbullyingstatistics.org)

Young Minds Online is trying to fight cyber-bullying and get teens involved in fighting against it too. As part of the  Young Minds Online TY Course students are asked to set up a campaign to help fight against Cyber-bullying and create awareness of bullying online in their schools. They are provided with a list of tasks to complete so that they can help in the fight against Cyber-Bullying.

Jillian O’Toole,

University of Limerick,

Digital Marketing Intern,

Digital Training Institute.