Cyberbullying in the context of U.S. schools. | Teen Ink

Cyberbullying in the context of U.S. schools.

October 5, 2023
By VeroNik BRONZE, Saint Petersburg, Other
VeroNik BRONZE, Saint Petersburg, Other
3 articles 0 photos 0 comments

Favorite Quote:
Every end is a new beginning.


Contemporaneity sets new calls and challenges, defining the social milieu, and shaping the behavioral pattern. Due to digitalization, the shift from face-to-face communication towards anonymous interaction in virtuality creates new opportunities not only for self-improvement and profound education but for more tortuous forms of self-assertion at the expense of other members of the online community. Albeit there are numerous debates on cybersecurity, safe means to protect oneself from cyberbullying have not been provided.

According to data collected from May 2007 to April 2019, the percentage of middle and high school students who experienced cyberbullying in the United States has increased from 18.8 % as of May 2007 to 36.5 % in April 2019 (U.S. student cyber bullying victimization rate 2019 | Statista, 2020). Such growth illustrates the negative trend that affects the lives of millions and makes it practically inevitable to avoid harassment. This type of harassment could hardly be neglected as it has no boundaries and limits, and could reach every family. The most alarming fact about cyberbullying is its quietness. No one would hear screams and shouts in the streets when youngsters are fighting, on the contrary cyberbullying silently enters minds with text messages, humiliating pictures online, fake videos, etc. Additionally, there are no typographical borders as of the penetration of the Internet and the global use of smart gadgets. The digital nature complicates and perplexes school counselors and psychologists’ work, raising needs for up-to-date methods to stop virtual molestation and provocation. 

In conclusion, the government should strengthen the education system that would allow us to fill in the gap in ICT knowledge both for teachers and students. Digital literacy, a clear understanding of the mechanisms that underlay the virtual world could save someone’s life. On the other hand, there should be more available information on support groups where the underaged could get qualified help. 


The author's comments:

This essay aims to attract readers' attention to a growing threat of cyberbullying - invisible and penetrating every sphere of human life. 


Similar Articles

JOIN THE DISCUSSION

This article has 0 comments.