Cyberbullies: Antagonizing Others One Keystroke at a Time

We have all heard about bullies – people who make it their life’s work to ensure the lives of others are miserable.  The bullies of the past relied on spoken word to antagonize their victims.  The bullies of today, on the other hand, are equipped with the use of social media, online chat rooms, and blogs through the use of the worldwide web.

In terms of the use of internet for communication Bynum (2008) explains that “information and communication technology (ICT) has affected – in both good ways and bad ways – community life, family life, human relationships, education, careers, freedom, and democracy” (http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/ethics-computer/).  While the internet is a great tool for many of us in our daily lives – everyday there are individuals being persecuted via the worldwide web.  

No walls are too high…no boundaries are too far…cyberbullying can happen to anyone, at anytime.  “Cyberbullying occurs “when technology is misused to threaten, harass, humiliate or embarrass victims.  From nuisance phone calls to bogus websites, the victims of cyberbullies can be targeted with little effort and minimal cost to the bully” (Rogers, 2010, p. 7). 

When researching cyberbullying the information I came across was all in relation to children being bullied via the web.  Many children who experience cyberbullying both academically and emotionally – some children suffer so greatly they choose to take their own lives (Holladay, 2010, p. 42).  Cyberbullying, as with any other form of bullying, can result in low self-esteem and feelings of decreased self-worth (Patchin and Hinduja, 2010).

 Cyberbullying can range from pictures on a website, to derogatory Facebook statuses or tweets or even blogs.  I would even include pictures taken by paparazzi and then shared on the internet as a form of cyberbullying. These forms of shared information could be deemed libel if it is “defamation by written or printed words, pictures, or in any form other than by spoken words or gestures; the act or crime of publishing it; anything that is defamatory or that maliciously or damagingly misrepresents” (http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/libel?s=t).

Betz (2011) explains “a particularly threatening feature of cyberbullies for victims is that they can operate in “virtual” anonymity” (p. 283).  She goes on to explain that teaching kids what is sharable information paired with how to be respectful to others is the key to ending cyberbullying (Betz, 2011). 

 

No one is regulating what is posted in cyberspace (Patchin and Hinduja, 2010) – but the invitation to commit cyberbullying would still exist even if there was regulation.  For centuries rules have been broken and for centuries to come this will remain. 

Remember the mother who cyberbullied a girl her daughter attended school with?  She created a fictitious profile of a boy on MySpace (how long ago was that trend?!) and reportedly told the girl “the world would be a better place without her” (Meredith, 2010, p. 311).  Meredith (2010) explains that although the mother violated the MySpace Terms of Service she was later acquitted.  A child lost her life due to cyberbullying – and the woman who pushed the child over the edge walks away.

The belief is that “empowering educators with the tools to inform students and parents about how to use ever-changing technology wisely is key” (Meredith, 2010, p. 334).  First people must be open to the education and willing to see a different point of view. I have seen firsthand parents on Facebook posting status updates – being a cyberbully. What kind of role model is that parent being to their children who are their “friends” on Facebook? 

Many naïve people still believe everything they read on the worldwide web to be truth.  The only truth is that whether factual or not – one should not base all claims on one source of information.  Sources and perspectives help us to look beyond our own biases or walls we put up for ourselves. 

Whether you are a fan of the WWE or not, they are making strides to end bullying (http://www.wwe.com/). They paired with The Creative Coalition in April 2011 to start the program Be a STAR – Show Tolerance and Respect.  “The mission of Be a STAR is to ensure a positive and equitable social environment for everyone regardless of age, race, religion, or sexual orientation through grassroots efforts beginning with education and awareness” (http://community.wwe.com/diversity/programs/be-star).  As of June 2013 30,000 people have pledged through the WWE website to end bullying.  The superstars and divas are so committed to end bullying that they visit “2-3 schools or community centers per month to speak with students about bullying issues including sharing their own personal stories” (http://community.wwe.com/diversity/programs/be-star). 

A great website for parents regarding what bullying is:  http://www.stompoutbullying.org/aboutbullying.php – there is also a chat line, phone number, and personal stories which help make an impact on parents and kids alike.

A strategy I have used to help me avoid posting/sending anything which could be perceived as hurtful is to wait 24 hours. I learned this from a friend – she explained there was an email she wanted to send but when she read it to her husband he said “wait 24 hours – if you re-read that tomorrow and you still feel the same way then you can hit submit.” Best advice I have received! It is my mantra – if I am unsure I simply wait 24 hours. Whether it is an email, a blog post, a Facebook status, or a text message – when in doubt, wait 24 hours.

"Never be bullied into silence. Never allow yourself to be made a victim. Accept no one's definition of your life, but define yourself."

~Harvey Fierstein

References not hyperlinked:

Betz, C. (2011). Cyberbullying: The virtual threat. Journal of Pediatric Nursing, 26(4), p. 283-284.

Holladay, J. (2010). Teaching Tolerance. Southern Poverty Law Center.

Meredith, J. (2010). Combating cyberbullying: Emphasizing education over criminalization. Federal Communications Law Journal, 63, p. 311-340.

Patchin, J., & Hinduja, S. (2010). Cyberbullying and self-esteem. Journal of School Health, 80(12), p. 614-621.

Rogers, V. (2010). Cyberbullying: Activities to help children and teens to stay safe in a texting, twittering, social networking world. London, Great Britain: Jessica Kingsley Publishers.