Although physically violence is thought to be the most dangerous form of aggression, cyberbullying is just as traumatic. Online users can say anything they want about a person without being face to face, which leaves it pretty open. Thomas J. Billiterri, in Cyberbullying says The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have interpreted online bullying as an "emerging public-health problem. Billiterri also includes stories of teens that committed suicide due to harassment. Patrick Halligan, a thirteen year old, killed himself after months of being called gay online. His father stated, "He couldn't shake this rumor." If your child is online you really have to pay attention because cyberbullying, just as physical violence, has many harmful effects.
Being online can change your identity, even if you don't realize it. Often users change what is online to appeal to the friends they have. This in turn can make you forget who you actually are. Amy L. Gonzales and Jeffrey T. Hancock of Mirror, Mirror on my Facebook Wall state that, "Self-presentations online can be optimized through selective self-presentation, and online self-presentation affects attitudes about the self." Gonzales and Hancock conclude that this is reconstructing how people think of themselves. When online you shouldn't try to conform yourself to attract people. This can cause you to forget who you actually are.
Billitteri, Thomas J. "Cyberbullying." Are New Laws Needed to Curb Online Aggression? 18.17 (2008): n. pag. CQ Researcher Online. Web. 11 Nov. 2012. <http://0-library.cqpress.com.library.lanecc.edu/cqresearcher/>.
Clemmitt, Marcia. "Social Networking." CQ Researcher Online. CQ Press, 17 Sept. 2010. Web. 1 Nov. 2012. <http://http://library.cqpress.com/cqresearcher/document.php?id=cqresrre2010091700&type=hitlist&num=1>.
Gonzales, Amy L., and Jeffrey T. Hancock. "Mirror, Mirror on My Facebook Wall:."Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking 14.1-2 (2011): 80. Print.
Jasmine,
ReplyDeleteSocial Networking privacy is a popular debated topic. I feel people should be selective to what information or pictures they put out on the web. For example, I wouldn't want a stranger to come into my home to go through all of my personal items and share it with the world. The same should go with information you display on social sites.
I agree that cyberbullying has the same effects on youth as physical violence. It's so sad to see kids that are affected by it take their own lives. Patrick Halligan's death should be an example to all of us concerning the seriousness of this issue, and the steps society should to take to create cyberbullying awareness.
Good job!
Jasmine, i like that your points are short and sweet. Privacy is a complicated issues especially such a hot aspect of pirvacy like socail networking. I think that about the picture i put on facebook and what that says about me, it is important to be aware enough. Im surprised that the spanish teacher was suspended because of bachlorette party photo's. What were there grounds for the suspension? i ask because i can understand a boss or future employer being concerned if there is illegal activity going on like drug use or underage drinking but teachers are usualy far above drinking age when they graduate from college. so that seems a bit strange. How ever i do agree that everyone needs to be selective with what they out out there while also being careful not to forget who you are.
ReplyDeleteWow, i;m shocked that cyberbullying could be so powerful. How do you combat cyberbullying? do you address this in your paper? I guess i get much of that now but i do rember in highschool a few time i pissed some girls off they could just spew it at me in a myspace message without the fear that i would come and kick their butt because they were an hr drive away. it seems so crazy but more popular because its easier to break people down if they are not right there infront of you to respond.
Very interesting, i think you are doing great!
* i dont get a lot of that now
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