The Effects of Cyberbullying

As we all know, words can hurt as much as gestures can. Cyberbullying can have minor effects like appearing upset or anxious after reading a text message or leaving the computer. There's also bigger effects like avoiding school and dropping grades. Someone who's being cyberbullied can also hide their Internet life and be protective over it. Their mood and behaviour can change and they can lose appetite or have trouble sleeping.

Following this further, there are rare and unfortunate cases of cyberbullying. This is often called "major cyberbullying". Devastating effect can happen, such as falling into a deep depression and sometimes even commit suicide, wich in that case, can be called a "bullycide". It is, however, understandable that someone can feel protected or stronger behind a computer. That's how a cyberbully can say anything without thinking of what might happen to them.

There are punishments for cyberbullying. For example, being expelled from school is one of them. In any cases, cyberbullying is serious and needs to be stopped.

Dali Garneau

Advice for bullies and school managers

If you're bullying someone on the web, take my advice. Your acts towards your victim could lead to horrifying conclusions such as suicide. These conclusions would have an impact on many people such as yourself. 


First of all, I would like to notify you that cyber bullies normally develop issues such as consuming drugs and alcohol. Also, they have trouble interacting with their friends and family. Now I do not think you would like yourself to end up having these issues. That is why you have to stop bullying. Just imagine your victims hurt or even dead because of your acts. How would that make you feel about yourself? You would become angry, depressed and you would probably develop mental issues. Instead of having to go threw all this, try to go up to the person and explain why your were doing this and solve  your problems peacefully. Also, if your case is sever, go see a psychologist because they will help you control your anger. 
As for school managers, you should, in any way, raise awareness about cyber bullying. Share negative stories and explain the effects and consequences it had on the victim. Most importantly if someone reports that they are getting bullied on the Internet take their report seriously and do all you can for it to stop.

I hope I've helped you and convinced you to stop bullying. 



-Kyle Munro

Consequences

Cyber bullying has many consequences. These are long-term effect and depend on each person. 

A victim of this situation usually faces depression. With time, it gets stronger and times are more difficult. Victims are most of the time scared of society, as well as social websites, such as Facebook or Twitter. They also want to be as perfect as possible since they were mostly bullied because of their differences with others. They want to fit in and not be criticized. Victims of cyberbullying are very anxious and stressed and their emotions can change constantly. They can have emotional problems later on in their adulthood. 

Any person who was affected by this situation highly remembers this experience. If reminded of these events, it's very visible that they haven't forgotten about it. An extreme consequence would be, unfortunately, suicide. The number of people who suicide because of cyberbullying is increasing quickly and we should try our best to stop all forms of cyberbullying to prevent all these consequences. 

Retrieved December 25 2012
Website: http://thenewtonite.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/cyber-bully-cartoon-1.jpg

Suha Islam  

Solutions for the victims and the parents

One of five teenagers is a victim of cyber bullying. Technology changed the way that people communicate.

If you are a victim of cyber bullying, you need to tell your parents, your school teachers or the police. You can also call or see a psychiatrist. You need to tell a responsible adult, they know what to do to help you. Don't hide yourself, you need help.

If you are the parents of a victim of cyber bullying, you have to tell the police and the school, it's criminal. You should also call the bully's parents because maybe they don't know and they could stop their child.

It would be a good idea to set family rules on Internet. Reduce the time they spend on Internet or don't let them go on certain websites. If your child is a bully, he would have less time to bully and would stop. Talk to your kids about it, make it sure that they understand what it is and that they will tell you if they receive a mean message or a message that they aren't comfortable with.

Anna Staub