Running Head: Cyber Bullying 1

Week 5 Final: Cyber Bullying

Bridgett Britt

EDU352: Foundations of Educational Technology

Instructor: Odalis Tavares

June 26, 2017

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Cyber bullying is taking our world by storm and there are many consequences to this type

of harassment. Using technology as a means to bully is rampant, people young and old alike, are

hiding behind a keyboard and attacking one another in new and harsh ways. Cyber bullying is

giving people a freedom to do even more bullying because there is not the face to face contact

associated with traditional bullying. One particular study looked at traditional bullying and

cyber bullying and reported the following, This study finds evidence that victims of

cyberbullying may be more likely to engage in delinquent and deviant behavior compared to

victims of traditional bullying. (McCuddy & Esbensen, 2017).

Using a cell phone, computer, or other means of technology to bully is wrong and it is

dangerous. A teenage girl was just found guilty, last week, of involuntary manslaughter for her

part in cyber bullying. This young girl has now ruined her life for the role she played in bullying

her boyfriend into committing suicide. Some may argue this is a suicide and not a homicide and

that his girlfriend should not be held accountable but if she had just informed his family, another

friend, or someone at their school that he needed help, this young mans life could have been

saved. Instead though, she just bullied him into taking his own life. There are countless issues

that come from traditional bullying and cyber bullying but the obvious one with a permanent end

is suicide.

Bullying has an impact and as one particular article proves through studies that the

following are most common with cyber bullying in this day and age, Victims of bullying are

associated with greater odds of suicide, suicide attempt, higher odds of tobacco use, alcohol

abuse, truancy, physical fighting, and unprotected sexual intercourse. (Romo & Kelvin, 2016 ).

The conclusion here is clearly showing that bullying leads to negative behavior and health

behaviors, especially with our young people.

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Being anonymous on your technology has given more and more people the anonymity

they desire to be able to cyber bully behind a screen. With technology we are breaking time

barriers, geographical barriers, age, race, and gender barriers, and all of this leads to more and

more cyber bullying every day. Because of smart phones more and more young people have the

world at their fingertips and as one article states, The ease of internet accessibility and the

increase in internet and mobile phone usage has generated yet another avenue bullying to take

place. (Barlett, Gentile, & Chew, 2016). We are living in an out of control world when it comes

to bullying and I see it with young and old alike. There must be an end to bullying and one that

we all find and work towards together.

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References:

Barlett, C. P., Gentile, D. A., & Chew, C. (2016). Predicting cyberbullying from

anonymity. Psychology Of Popular Media Culture, 5(2), 171-180. doi:10.1037/ppm0000055

McCuddy, T., & Esbensen, F. (2017). After the bell and into the night: The link between

delinquency and traditional, cyber-, and dual-bullying victimization. Journal Of Research In

Crime And Delinquency, 54(3), 409-441. doi:10.1177/0022427816683515

Romo, M. L., & Kelvin, E. A. (2016). Impact of bullying victimization on suicide and

negative health behaviors among adolescents in Latin America/Repercusion de la intimidacion

en el suicidio y los comportamientos negativos en materia de salud de la poblacion adolescente

en America Latina. Revista Panamericana De Salud Publica, (5), 347.