Many people use new media, it’s an ever changing thing and people will probably always use it. New media is so useful because through the internet and social media, you can stay in touch with so many people and access so much information. But just like with anything, there are risks. One of the biggest dangers of new media would have to be cyber bullying. Cyber bullying has been around for a while now, but it’s definitely been in the media much more in recent years. ““Cyber bullying” is defined as a young person tormenting, threatening, harassing, or embarrassing another young person using the Internet or other technologies, like cell phones. The psychological and emotional outcomes of cyber bullying are similar to those of real-life bullying.” (dosomething.org). Cyber bullying should not be taken lightly, it’s not okay. The thing about cyber bullying is that the victim can never really escape it because the “bullies” can reach them through anything using the internet, whether it be a smart phone or a computer. There’s no escaping, in today’s day and age, you need a computer in your household. The article on dosomething.org gives 11 facts about cyber bullying, and one that stood out to me was: “81% of young people think bullying online is easier to get away with than bullying in person.” That is serious, do we really want kids nowadays thinking they can get away with cyber bullying just because they’re hiding behind a computer screen?
Cyber bullying is definitely one of the bigger dangers in regards to new media. There is not one single solution that will make it disappear, but one thing people can do is try to be more involved if possible in what your kids are doing online. Make sure your child is aware of how serious cyber bullying is. Also make sure your children know they can come to you if they feel something bad is happening online. It’s better to be aware of it and try to make sure that bully is blocked.
Works Cited:
"11 Facts About Cyber Bullying." DoSomething.org. Do Something, 2013. Web. 21 Apr. 2014. <https://www.dosomething.org/facts/11-facts-about-cyber-bullying>.
I completely agree with what you are saying about cyber bullying. I agree mostly with your point that children think they can get away with cyber bullying way easier because they are behind a computer screen. I believe this makes it easier because they aren’t actually seeing the reaction and the physical person that they are tormenting which to me is absolutely heartbreaking because the person on the other side probably doesn’t know what to do about it. I also agree that there isn’t any solution that will make this disappear, but there are definitely other ways to help prevent this from happening. There will always be people out there trying to cyber bullying, but in order to prevent the other person from being affected, they should try and stand up for themselves by telling an adult, as well as trying to block the person as best they can and if they fail, then their parents should take action.
ReplyDeleteI agree with what you have said about cyber bullying. It is very true that once something is out there is can never be taken back and also the person being bullied has a harder time avoiding the bully. I agree that children need to be taught to be aware of what is going on around them, but I also feel that the law makers should do something about it as well. They have started but they haven't done enough. Both negatives and positives have come about because of cyber bullying the negatives of course being the deaths that have occurred about positives have been the organizations that are now about like the Megan Meyier foundation where teens and parents can turn to for support and guidance should their child be being bullied or be in a situation where they were the bully. I think it’s great the parents have this way to research what is happening to their children and have some place to turn to so that they can make their children more aware and keep them safe online.
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