Cyber Bullying
Almost everyone knows someone who has been bullied or was a bully at some time. Now, with new advances in technology, bullying is evolving. Some people have started to call this change “cyber bullying,” which is defined as “bullying that involves the use of e-mail, instant messaging, text digital imaging messages and digital images sent via cellular phones, Web pages, Web logs (blogs), chat rooms or discussion groups, and other information communication technologies.” (Kowalski, Limber, Agatston 42) Through the use of online social networks, many teenagers are becoming victims of cyber bullying. As a result of this, it is important for everyone to better understand what cyber bullying is and how to pass laws to help children who are being bullied and to cease the aggression caused by bullying.
In order to better understand cyber bullying, a person must first understand the different types of cyber bullying that exist. According to the book Cyber Bullying: Bullying in the Digital Age, there are many different ways teenagers bully others online. Some cyber bullies use techniques such as “flaming, harassment, denigration, impersonation, outing and trickery, exclusion and ostracism, cyberstalking, or happy slapping.” (Kowalski, Limber, Agatston 46) The term “flaming” is used to describe an angry exchange of words between two or more people that uses technology as a form of communication. (Kowalski, Limber, Agatston 47) Another term many people might not understand is “happy slapping,” which is defined as an action in which “people, usually teenagers, walk up and slap someone while another individual, also usually a teenager, captures the violence using a camera phone.” (Kowalski, Limber, Agatston 51) This behavior is very serious and should not be taken lightly because it involves physical assault on a person. This physical violence is what makes “happy slapping” illegal and combines both physical and cyber bullying.
Sadly, there have been many recorded
In order to better understand cyber bullying, a person must first understand the different types of cyber bullying that exist. According to the book Cyber Bullying: Bullying in the Digital Age, there are many different ways teenagers bully others online. Some cyber bullies use techniques such as “flaming, harassment, denigration, impersonation, outing and trickery, exclusion and ostracism, cyberstalking, or happy slapping.” (Kowalski, Limber, Agatston 46) The term “flaming” is used to describe an angry exchange of words between two or more people that uses technology as a form of communication. (Kowalski, Limber, Agatston 47) Another term many people might not understand is “happy slapping,” which is defined as an action in which “people, usually teenagers, walk up and slap someone while another individual, also usually a teenager, captures the violence using a camera phone.” (Kowalski, Limber, Agatston 51) This behavior is very serious and should not be taken lightly because it involves physical assault on a person. This physical violence is what makes “happy slapping” illegal and combines both physical and cyber bullying.
Sadly, there have been many recorded