By Michellekidwell
6 years ago

The Cyberbullying Epidemic

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It seems in the last decade or so we have seen a new epidemic, that of Cyberbullying. Twenty five percent of teenagers have been victims and around eleven percent of those have had unflattering pictures put online without their knowledge or consent. Childrenget thisidea that if you aren’t physically hurting someone, you aren’t doing something wrong, this is something we need to instill in the younger generation. Remember that old childhood saying:
Sticks and stones
May break your bones
But words will never
Hurt me.

What a lie that was words due hurt, and when negative words are used often enough, when lies are spoken about someone whether in life or over social media, or any other form of communication. Teens need to understand that what they put online stays online, and they need to think before they post. Here are some good questions to ask themselves.

Is it true?
Is it kind?
Is it necessary?

When it comes to spiteful posting it is neither necessary or kind, and it’s likely not true, but even if something happened does not mean you have a right to broadcast it all over social media, because things like that have real consequences and sadly can push those being cyber-bullied to suicide, because they feel it will never get any better.

About a year and a half ago my older niece was a victim of cyber -bullying and even as an adult I have been too, but we had told people about what hazard happened, and as an adult I was more equipped to handle it though having hurtful things splashed online about you is never easy.

People often go on and on about the freedom of speech, but I do not believe that is ever meant to be used to hurt others.

If you have teenagers or young adults on social media,talk to them. If someone is hurting them report it, and remind them that it was not their fault, and if they seem depressed seek professional help.

(C) Michelle R Kidwell
October.23.2017


6 years
Violeta Very nice
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6 years
Smokey2017 Bullying is happening in schools
Teachers have no idea on how to stop it
Parents have no idea what is happening in schools
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6 years
soncee Good artikle
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LAFFINGKNOME Great, you brought this to the attention of interested parties!
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6 years
Michellekidwell @Smokey2017 that I am aware of too, my niece was a victim of a school bully when she was in high school, I am sure that will be the subject of a later article. I appreciate your insight!
6 years
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Smokey2017 There are so many children been bullied and nothing is getting done
Teachers have no idea on how to stop it
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6 years
Michellekidwell @Smokey2017 sadly true, it’s been happening for a long time too, and sadly gets brought to the forefront with school shootings like Heath High School in 1997,and Columbine in 1999,and many, many more since then.
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Smokey2017 That why I want to set up a web page called kidz2kids where kidz that have been bullied can advise kids that are been bullied to give them confidence and strength to get stronger and become a stronger individual to overcome it
6 years
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Smokey2017 Parents have no idea what is going on in schools
The amount of children that make excuses not to go to school
Cause they know what is waiting for them
We as parents have to take control
And put a stop
To it
My logo of sticks and bones
Can break my bones but a bully will never destroy me
6 years
6 years
Michellekidwell @Smokey2017 glad to hear about your site, and yes a bully can destroy a person whether it’s on school and social media, it’s important we really listen to the kids in our lives and let them know it’s okay to talk.
6 years
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Smokey2017 Most parents either don't have time children feel that they cannot talk to parents
Everythng is so secretive social
Media mobiles etc
There was a girl who was 14 she commited suicide due to cyber bullying in front of her parents she was her normal self so they never picked up
On it until it was too late and her mother discovered a txt saying kill
Yoursejf
To me the person or people need to be prosecuted and brought to trail
Cause so many children teenagers have no where to turn for help
I feel so strongly about this and would like to help young people to overcome this
If schools don't know how to stop
It maybe we as adults should stand up and say stop
Means stop
Bullied lives of someone weakness bullied have no idea the long term effect it can cause
We should set up
A web page where young people have somewhere to talk too
6 years
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Smokey2017 If the police can find killers
I'm sure that they are quite capable of hacking into someone computer then they will know who is doing the bullying and bring them to justice let them stand in front of person who was bullied let them explain why
6 years