How old were you when you first started using the internet? I started using the internet at a young age; for most of my high school years to the present. I started with a Myspace page for my 9th and 10th year, then moved on to Facebook for my 11th and 12th grade year, and finally Twitter the summer after my senior year. I've always laughed at the jokes people post about each other. I often posted things about people, sometimes out of anger never knowing what the consequences were. I know we are all college students and I know we all know the first amendment about freedom of speech. But witnessing or participating in activities of this nature is called cyber-bullying. .
What is cyber bullying? According to stopbullying.org, cyber-bullying is bullying another person through any type of media or technology. It can be gossip, impersonation, harassment, and even threatening over the internet, cell phones, or any other type of media. It could also be intimidation, repeatedly sending unwanted texts or instant messages, or unauthorized publication of information or images. Cyber bullying intentionally tries to harm someone and treated as a very serious matter. According to toptenreview.com, 93% of teens ages 12-17 go online and 73% of those teens are on a social network. Of those percentages, 29% of teens have posted mean info, embarrassing photos or spread rumors about someone, have been stalked or contacted by a stranger or someone they don't know, and 24% have had private or embarrassing info made public without their permission. Cyber bullying has become a public issue all around the world, which brings me to my next point of the many side effects. .
Cell phones and computers are inanimate objects; certainly not to blame for cyber-bullying. Social media sites can be used for positive activities, like connecting kids with friends and family, helping students with school, and for entertainment.
