We’ve all been
bullied in real life but now the internet can attack you as well? Crush
investigates the rising epidemic of cyberbullying that is affecting all of us.
‘I felt alone and isolated and I couldn’t turn to anyone. It
was the worst experience of my life seeing these messages about me online.’
This student isn’t alone as 28% of 11-16 year olds have
reported being a victim of cyber-bullying and many cases are still left
unreported. In its most basic form cyber-bullying is posting information aimed
at someone in particular that is offensive or embarrassing that could hurt
someone and make them feel vulnerable. Again like anything else online, it can
get a lot more complicated because of course there are no ‘cyber-police’ to
give a guide line of what is harmful, which means many victims don’t get help
because they don’t actually know if it is serious enough.
What’s the Problem?
Cyber-bullying is growing and can affect anyone or anything,
including, shockingly, the dead. They may not have liked you when you were alive;
but now they are making up rumours while you are in the afterlife. Just when
you thought you could catch a break! Even celebrities are being affected like
Kirsten Stewart, we were all felt a bit of rage when she betrayed the gorgeous
vampire/lovesick teenager Robert Pattinson but some people online took it too
far sending her death threats. I mean we all love R-Patz- but I wouldn’t kill
over him!
It can be anything from a little catty comment on a Facebook
status to a full blown blog being opened up just to humiliate you. ’They
started up numerous blogs just to make fun of me and everyone could write
rumours they heard about me’ said the victim who’s online-bullying started at
15 years old and is still ongoing. It
can also take any form either on the internet or through text messages which
unfortunately make it even more difficult to find out whom is spreading that
weird rumour about you.
“It was only a Laugh!”
But what are the bullies’ motivations? The great thing about
the internet for cyber-bullies is that you can stay anonymous which allows them
to bully with full confidence that they won’t be found out. In a survey done by saferinternet.org.uk, a
leading charity which helps safeguard children but will help anyone who’s a
victim of cyberbullying, found out that their motivations ranged from ‘it was for revenge’ as 39% said or ‘they just
did it for a laugh’, 26%, even though there is one person seriously not
laughing. You. We all love Twitter, with 140 million of you using it, but this shows that you have to be careful
about what you post online about people so next time, think before you tweet!
Can we stop them? Yes we can!
So you think you are being cyber-bullied, now it is time to
figure out how to give the bullies their just deserts. Well at the moment,
that’s kinda difficult because there is no actual law to get them to do the
time because they did the crime (don’t worry that’ll be enough of the clichés).
However there are a number of existing laws that the police could use to get
them convicted such as the harassment and malicious communications laws that
have been used in the past to convict the most serious of cyber-bullies.
But you need help now, not wait a year to get them convicted
where the bullying will just escalate. Luckily, there are some handy charities
ready and available to you such as cybersmile.org, whose dedicated purpose is
to help YOU and have been campaigning for a change in legislation to make
cyber-bullying an offence. So although you may feel alone, trust us you are
definitely not and don’t suffer in silence because problem shared is a problem
solved (alright one more cliché doesn’t hurt!)
Breakout box
Cyber-bullies- Tweet that!
How to get them to stop for once and for all
·
DON’T FIGHT BACK
However tempting it is, don’t add fuel to
the fire and give them more motivation to make fun of you.
·
COLLECT THEM
Store any abusive messages, however painful
it is to keep them, because they are vital for the police to convict the
bullies.
·
THINK BEFORE YOU CLICK
Many arguments online start with a
misunderstanding, so make sure what you post can’t be taken out of context.
·
DON’T JOIN IN
Don’t get drawn into cyber bullying
campaigns by posting and spreading the rumours because the police can charge you
as well.
·
REPORT IT
Don’t be afraid of reporting any abusive
messages to the website and you can post it anonymously so there is really no
reason to be afraid.
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