ONLINE BULLIES

This blog entry by Christina Saunders

The story: "Online bullying a growing part of US teen Internet life"

The analysis:

This article discusses a growing trend of online bullying. “Cyber bullies” have increased from 6 to 50 percent in the past seven years. Kids and teens are finding ways of expressing aggression via the internet. Popular technologies such as instant messaging, text messaging and social networking websites are used to tease, threaten or insult others. Many kids will just turn off their computer or ignore messages, but others are more fragile and easily offended. There have been incidents of violence and suicides as the result of these messages received through the internet. A girl hung herself after exchanging insults on her MySpace with a person that pretended to be a 16-year-old boy. The last message reportedly being sent was “The world would be a better place without you.” This boy was flirting with the girl for weeks before the insults came. The fake boy was actually the mother of former friend of the girl. The mother wanted to find out what the girl thought of her daughter.
I chose this article because I found it so shocking. Social networking websites, such as MySpace.com and FaceBook.com, are very popular in today’s society. They are used to communicate with friends and others, advertise music and trends and many more social activities. It has become the “cyberworld” playground. It’s so sad to read about what people do to other people because of a comment left on their MySpace. People warn you about sexual predators and pedophiles on these social networking websites, but don’t warn you about “cyber bullies”.
I think it’s important because technology is so important. These social networking websites are great for people to make new friends, whether they are shy or not. They are also a great way to communicate, advertise and spread news. Music, movies and almost anything can be advertised on these social networking websites. It’s convenient and fast. The article says that some U.S. cities restrict access to the internet and mobile phones on campus. I think that’s very unfortunate because the internet has loads of information. There are bad things you can view on the internet, but there are also many things you can learn on the internet. As in everything, there are both benefits and consequences.
I also think this article is important because people need to learn to be kind to others and also not to take things said on the internet too seriously. Everyone is a critic, and people sometimes don’t care and sometimes get hurt. When I hear about drama on MySpace, I think to myself, “Calm down people, it’s just MySpace”. But for some or maybe more, MySpace has become the social hub. Being insulted online is just as bad as being insulted in person. Unfortunately, it’s much easier to insult online because it is so convenient and fast. As reported in the article, a girl from Tennessee stabbed another girl because of a comment left on FaceBook. These incidents are what has risen the percentages in electronic aggression and youth violence. I think it’s up to parents and internet user to be responsible when using the internet.