Cyber BullyingSocial and Ethical Issues in the Digital Era

By: Courtney Royal

CYBER BULLYING

Evolution of Cyber Bullying

What Cyber Bullying is

Legislation Around the Harassment

Real Life Case Examples

What We Can Do!

References

Abstract This is a presentation on cyber bullying and its

effects, along with the help of prevention and

education.

New Media has influenced cyber bullying to

become an increasing and dangerous problem.

Prevention and education are necessary in order

to effectively respond and address the issue. We

will learn how cyber bullying has come to be,

main characteristics of cyber bullying, and where

legislation stands. We will also interact and learn

about live cases of victims and we will become

informed on what we can do to raise awareness

and prevent!

21rst Century

• Digital media and networked technologies are

part of our everyday life

• Our culture has become reliant on technology

for means of communication

• Participatory cultures have expanded

tremendously

• Spatial relation has been eliminated

What is Cyber Bullying?

• Cyber Bullying: torment, harassment, intimidation or

pressure that is applied to an individual that takes place

by using new media

• Text messages

• Emails

• Postings on social networking sites

• Occurs between minors

• When an adult becomes involved, the behavior is

then labeled as cyber harassment or cyber stalking

• Opportunity for continuous behavior

…What is Cyber Bullying?

• Mimicking typical bullying, cyber bullying can be

contact specifically between two individuals

described as direct attacks as well as attacks with

assistance through an accomplice referred to as

cyber bullying by proxy

• Internet provides explicit opportunity to bully. It

tends to equalize everyone.

“What makes cyber bullying so dangerous…is that anyone can practice it without having to confront the victim. You don’t have to be strong or fast,

simply equipped with a cell phone or computer and a willingness to terrorize”

(Kowalski, Limber & Agatston, 2006)

Legislation

• Because of its infancy there are a lack of laws

• First Amendment Rights debate

• Schools lack the ability to regulate

• Handled by a case-by-case basis

• Urging laws to catch up on time

CasesThere have been many cases of cyber bullying over the

years that example what a huge issue it has become.

Even though disheartening, it is very important for

society to hear about these real life situations so that

they understand the severity. No child is safe from this.

Harassment leads to depression, loneliness, and

decreased self worth, all of which have great potential to

lead to suicide in which we refer to as “bullicide”

“20% of respondents reported seriously thinking about attempting suicide.

All forms of bullying were significantly associated with increases in suicidal

ideation. Cyber bullying victims were almost twice as likely to have

attempted suicide compared to youth who had not experienced cyber

bullying”

(Hinduja & Patchin, 2010)

The Megan Meier Case

• 13 years old

• Myspace Account

• "Megan gets an e-mail, or a message from Josh on her MySpace on Oct. 15, 2006, saying, 'I don't know if I want to be friends with you any longer because I hear you're not nice to your friends,’ Tina Meier said…. Tina Meier discovered her daughter's body in a bedroom closet on Oct. 16, 2006. Megan had hanged herself and died a day later”(ABC News, 2007).

• http://www.meganmeierfoundation.org/

 (2015, April 25). Photo of Megan Meier [digital image]. Retrieved from http://www.meganmeierfoundation.org/megans-story.html

The Amanda Todd Case• 15 years old

• Traditional bullying led to cyber bullying

• Fueled by Social Media

• “I'm struggling to stay in this world, because everything just touches me so deeply. I'm not doing this for attention. I'm doing this to be an inspiration and to show that I can be strong. I did things to myself to make pain go away, because I'd rather hurt myself then someone else. Haters are haters but please don't hate, although im sure I'll get them. I hope I can show you guys that everyone has a story, and everyones future will be bright one day, you just gotta pull through. I'm still here aren't I ?”

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vOHXGNx-E7E

• http://amandatoddlegacy.org/

(2015, April 25). Photo of Amanda Todd [digital image]. Retrieved from http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/7/76/Amanda_Todd_-_01.jpg

(2015, April 25). Photo of Amanda Todd YouTube Video [digital image]. Retrieved from http://blog.funeralone.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/1.png

Take Action• Raise Awareness

• Educate

• Eliminate the “Participation Gap”

• Collaboration between parents, schools, students, and law enforcement

• Know what to look for

There are several warning signs to look for. These can include:

• Noticing a child unexpectedly stop using the computer or other media

• Apparent anxiety when browsing participatory cultures

• The sudden occurrence of appearing uneasy about going to school and signs of

anger, depression

• Frustration when using new medias

Indication of a child being involved in cyber bullying acts include:

• Switching screens or programs when others walk by

• Using technologies late at night

• Avoiding conversations about their usage

• Using multiple accounts that are not their own

http://www.stopbullying.gov/

If you or anyone you know are having

thoughts of suicide remember that no

matter what problems you are dealing

with, the suicide prevention lifeline is here

to help you find a reason to keep living.

You are not alone.

Call 1-800-273-TALK you’ll be connected

to a skilled, trained counselor at a crisis

center in your area, anytime 24/7.

#STOPBULLYING

 (2015, April 25). Words Kill [digital image]. Retrieved from https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/60/7f/14/607f14229254ad36b268ba3bd27d4288.jpg

REFERENCES