School Bullying or Cyberbullying - Assignment Example

Cyber bullying Cyber bullying The recent advent in technology has led to various forms of success as well as challenges. The most advent of technology has been use of email and rise of social media. As a result, there has been easy interaction among people over the sites. However, such interaction has led to interaction with harmful people some of which one may not know of their identity. One of the effects has been on cyber bullying. Cyber bullying can result into lasting negative impact to young people (Bullying Statistics, 2013). In fact, statistics of bullying shows that cyberbullying is a serious problem among young people (Bullying Statistics, 2013). The challenge has been common among young people on a daily basis. The frequent nature of the problem is because of easy access to technology like cell phones and the internet. Cyber bullying may occur in different ways. It may involve sending threats or messages to persons email or by use of social sites, spreading rumors online, taking comprising pictures of someone and sending them using social sites, and circulating sexually suggestive pictures of a person through internet (Bullying Statistics, 2013). Consequently, an individual exposed to any form of threat can be affected significantly. However, many links of cyber bullying think it is funny while not realizing its consequences on affected individuals. A reflection on cyber bullying helps in understanding the social psychology concepts related to cyber bullying as well as challenges. Cyber bullying has attracted immense interest in United States. The importance is seen based on historical events and legal decision based on cyber bullying in the society. One of such events has been various tragedies arising from the rampant exposure of teenagers and young people to cyber bullying. For example, the suicide of 13-year-old Missouri student Megan Meier in 2006 attracted massive attention in United States (Davis, 2011). The student was targeted through social networking site MySpace that was common among students. The death of the student brought the issue into the limelight. On the other hand, cyber bullying has attracted the attention of a legal expert in United States. Some of experts have argued that there has been weak law regarding the speech of the student both in and off the campus (Davis, 2011). In fact, the law is vague on what the school leaders can do in curbing cyber-bullying cases in school premises. Moreover, it has been noted that the issue of cyber bullying has been treated differently under the law. The evidence is based on court rulings that have dealt with some form of cyber bullying without clarifying the matter. For example, most of the rulings have failed to focus on cyber bullying on students (Davis, 2011). Moreover, there has been a challenge on legal implementation of the law in school premises. In United States, many states have passed laws that are aimed at addressing cyber bullying. In fact, school and districts have been urged to adopt policies and programs that will minimize the menace (Davis, 2011). However, the schools have complained on lack of guidance and funding for proper implementation. There are various psychological concepts regarding cyber bullying. Cyber bullying affects the targeted individual in various ways. First, exposure to cyber bullying may make an individual to adopt deviant behavior (Hinduja & Patchin, 2005). The behavior may arise due to the negative perception developed around such individual (Hinduja & Patchin, 2005). As a result, the effect may elicit feelings of frustration, and depression (Hinduja & Patchin, 2005). The effect may emanate through the negative behavior to the affected individual. Moreover, cyber-bullying victimization can be a potential source of unexpected habit in teenagers (Hinduja & Patchin, 2005). Secondly, cyber bullying may lead to the development of fear. The fear may oocur due to alarming state individual is exposed to while online (Hinduja & Patchin, 2005). Moreover, individual may enage on withdrawl behaviour as a result of threat (Hinduja & Patchin, 2005). Additionally, victims may look for ways in which they can avoid their potential threat like in schools, at the bus stop, or in their neighborhood. The process of the victims ensuring their security as a result of cyber bullying may distract them from academics, family matters and responsibilities, and pro-social choices (Hinduja & Patchin, 2005). In addition, cyber bullying may lead to feeling of rejection and frustrated. In a normal situation, children and adolescents are usually eager to seek approval of friends and those of the same age. However, cyber bullying is usually against this notion as it leads to rejection and exclusion. As a result, the feeling of rejection or social exclusion by the victims might leads to behavioral modification. Moreover, lack of approval from peers may lead to negative feelings (Hinduja & Patchin, 2005). Individuals and law enforcement agencies in relation to cyber bullying face a number of challenges. The law enforcement agencies find it difficult in determining their role in addressing the emerging trends of cyber bullying (Patchin, Schafer & Hinduja, 2013). Some of the law enforcement agencies are not up to date with technologies used in cyber bullying as they lack acquaintance with traditional form of bullying. Moreover, the present form of bullying is usually beyond the implementing agencies reach. On the other hand, individuals face challenges of identifying the real perpetrators of crime. For example, some of those that perpetuate the crime usually use other people devices for concealing their identity (Davis, 2011). There are several things to agree with authors. First, it is true that cyber bullying may lead to fear. This is because no victim would have the courage to meet or be in proximity on someone advancing threat. Moreover, it is true that the effect leads to depression. Most of those affected are more likely to feel neglected and despised, and this will likely lead to emotional breakdown. Moreover, the effect may lead to adoption of deviant behavior in the name of defending oneself. On the other hand, there is disagreement with the author on various statements. First, perception that law enforcement agencies are not aware of their mandate is wrong as laws has been passed outlining their mandate. Second, the law enforcement should not blame technology in tackling incidences as they have been exposed to up to date technologies. There are ways in which individuals can address the issue so as to improve social elements. First, it is advantageous to teach adolescents on the social disapproval of cyberbullying and evidence of its prevalence (Barkoukis, Lazuras & Tsorbatzoudis, n.d.). Second, individuals can be taught on ways of coping with cyber bullying. There are ways in which criminal justice can cope with cyberbullying. First, the police should be espoused to programs exposing to up to date technology in order to present formidable evidence for prosecution. On the other hand, the prosecuting attorney should also rely on evidence from the service provider so as to be able to have evidence with no reasonable doubt to help in curbing the vice. In conclusion, it is clear that cyber bullying is prevalent among teenagers. Moreover, the problems affect victims in various ways such as rise of fear and depression. On the other hand, the issue has been a challenge to individuals and police. Therefore, various things need to be done in reducing challenges faced in curbing the menace. References Barkoukis, V., Lazuras, L & Tsorbatzoudis, H. (n.d.). A social cognitive perspective in cyberbullying prevention. Retrieved from http://www.bullyingandcyber.net/media/cms_page_media/59/Barkoukis%20et%20al..Pdf. Bullying Statistics. (2013). Cyber Bullying Statistics. Retrieved from http://www.bullyingstatistics.org/content/cyber-bullying-statistics.html. Davis, M. (2011). Schools Tackle Legal Twists and Turns of Cyberbullying. Retrieved from http://www.edweek.org/dd/articles/2011/02/09/02cyberbullying.h04.html. Hinduja, S & Patchin, J. (2005). Cyberbullying. Retrieved from http://ojp.gov/cds/internet_safety/NCPC/Cyberbullying%20Research%20Statistics.pdf Patchin, J., Schafer, J & Hinduja, S. (2013). Cyberbullying and Sexting: Law Enforcement Perceptions. Retrieved from http://www.fbi.gov/stats-services/publications/law-enforcement-bulletin/2013/june/cyberbullying-and-sexting Read More