The
Daily Telegraph
Dominating, dangerous, daring and detrimental
disease otherwise known as cyberbullying. By: Celine Harb
(September 1st, 2019)
Bullying is becoming an epidemic the bully themselves. Many bullies result
dominating our Australian society, more to bullying as a coping mechanism, as they
specifically cyberbullying. “Cyber have been bullied themselves. This can
Bullying is when a child, preteen or teen is affect their behaviour in ways where they
tormented, threatened, harassed, turn to drug and alcohol use, trouble with
humiliated, embarrassed or otherwise the law, dropping out of school, and
targeted by another child, preteen or teen domestic violence. Cyberbullying affects a
using the internet, interactive technologies bully and a victim’s health in physical,
or mobile phones.” Cyberbullying also social, mental, emotional and spiritual
referred to as a modern form of bullying is ways. It has great repercussions on both
becoming more prevalent this day in age
oppose to before and the implication this
has on the bully and victim is devastating.
This is a result of the frequent access
children, pre-teens and teens acquire. The
unfortunate truth regarding cyberbullying
is that any victim can become a target at
any given time, whether at school or home,
this is a result of the technology which
allows access anytime, anywhere by the bully and the victim and cyberbullying
anyone. that doesn’t stop in adolescent years will
ultimately impact individuals into
Cyberbullying can have major implications adulthood.
of the bully and the victim, therefore it’s
This image showcases the many labels bullies give to their victims. The inferiority of the
imperative that cyberbullying is stopped. victim’s face replicates the effects of bullying on victims.
Cyberbullying has short-term and long-
term repercussions for the victim which The rising number of means by which an
are devastating this may include individual can undertake communication
difficulties socialising and making friends, via social media has increased the potential
anxiety, sleep difficulties, issues with for cyberbullying to strike. The frightening
depression and slipping grades. Some truth is that cyberbullying is becoming
children even resort to suicide which more prevalent than ever before, this is a
ultimately affects the community as a result of the generational shift in how
whole. Although many individuals don’t today’s adolescence perceives and handle
take into account the ramification and technology. A statistic of one in five
consequences cyberbullying can have on children, in Australia alone, have to
experience the detrimental effects of educating children on the topic. Authorities
cyberbullying. Due to the reason that many and the law categorise cyberbullying as a
children have access to social media the criminal offence (Section 474.17 of the
predominance of cyberbullying increases Criminal Code Act 1995 (Commonwealth)
and continue to increase. A statistic shows criminalises the use of a phone or the
that 42% of cyberbullying uses Instagram internet to threaten, harass or seriously
as a platform, followed by 37% on offend somebody.) the police have the
Facebook, 31% on Snap chat, 10% on authority to take legal action for offenders.
YouTube and 9% on twitter. Due to the Helplines offer prevention and
dominant ripple effect cyberbullying is identification tips, they also provide a
creating, the prevalence of cyberbullying trained professional who may help
increases at unbelievable rates “Among 14 children who are suffering the effects of
cyberbullying.
“Unless our society recognises
cyberbullying for what it is, the
suffering of thousands of silent
victims will continue. Anna Maria
Chavez”.
to 16-year-olds, reported cyberbullying has
doubled in the last 12 months from 18 per If you or anyone you know is dealing with
cent to 36 per cent.” (10 daily. com) cyberbullying, the following sources can
Alternatively, if the community doesn’t help:
find a way to prevent this epidemic the
effects and outcomes of cyberbullying will 1. Kids Help Line
continue to grow.
2. Beyond Blue
This image showcases the different types of platforms available for
children to access. It’s platform like these which enable
cyberbullying. 3. Head Space
You may also want to consult a trusted
adult, this can be a parent or teacher. If you
Cyberbullying is identified as a severe are a victim of cyberbullying be sure to
public health threat because of the millions record evidence as proof.
of lives it targets and effects. Since it’s
becoming a severe epidemic several Cyberbullying is one of the biggest
courses of actions are being taken by diseases affecting the lives of many
schools, police, authorities, helplines and children, the implications cyberbullying
support groups. Schools have an can have on the bully and victim can be
overarching influence of bullies and devastating. Now in the twenty first
victims, though cyberbullying may not century cyberbullying is greater than ever
occur at school, it’s a given fact that this is a result of the immense access
schooling shapes a children ethics, and children have to technology. Many
morals. Therefore, many schools children suffer in silence sitting in front of
implement mechanisms such as anti- a screen, whilst they are force-fed lies in
bullying ambassadors, phycologists, anti- which they believe, therefore measures and
bullying days, indirect anti-bulling forms, precautions must be put in place. Schools,
teacher mentoring, support groups, many authorities and legal personnel are working
schools also stress the importance of to create a safer environment and future.
This day in age more than ever before, is
imperative that we society as a whole
come to a solution to create a safer,
peaceful and ideal place for not only this
generation but for the generations to come,
because if cyberbullying is a catastrophe
now, imagine what point it will reach for
the generations to come.
“Cyber bullies can hide behind a
mask of anonymity online, and do
not need direct physical access to
their victims to do unimaginable
harm.” Anna Maria Chavez.
