PROMPT: As children move through middle childhood, parental influence is accompanied by a number of outside influences that can shape and impact development during this stage. These outside influence

PROBLEMS CHILDREN FACE: CYBERBULLYING 1

Problems Children Face: Cyberbullying

What is bullying? What is cyberbullying? Over centuries a form of control and manipulation was always used with women and men to abuse, intimidate, and dominate. This combative practice is demonstrated and formally known as bullying. The four types of bullying that people displayed are physical, psychological, verbal, and cyber. The nature and culture of bullying have been conducted in many environments such as workplaces, schools, neighborhoods, social events, and home. Bullying laws has taken more prominent in all fifty states. The evolution of technology has caused bullying to take a platform of online internet bullying which has been the most damaging in number and statistics. Cyberbullying is a form of bullying through technology of any kind such as emails and social media networking websites. Cyberbullying is now a huge common problem that taken the world by storm since the mid 2000s with the high numbers of children that are affected. Conquering all forms of bullying especially cyberbullying is the most important aspect in helping our children of the future.

Children face many obstacles during their life and one of them is cyberbullying. The psychological matter of a child cognitive is deeply effective in numerous ways from online harassment, embarrassment, and abuse. The underlying stress that is developed among the victim of cyberbulling can be damaging to the development of the child’s brain. Dependent on amounts of the stress hormone corticosterone can weaken the immune system. From my experiences, I had formed major anxiety and school avoidance so I didn’t have to encounter the sadness that I endured with cyberbullying. Furthermore, being protected from cyberbullying is what parents are strongly advocating. Parents are very groundbreaking in protection of their children during harm and they have fears and questions that involve,”how do I become more tech savvy to take action against cyberbullying my child is incorporated in”.

“According to the study, they are at even at even greater risk for long-lasting psychological disorders than being either a bully or being bullied on its own. And although this class of children, according to the study, had an elevated risk of family hardship at home, this was not the only defining factor. Bully/victims also had elevated rates of childhood psychiatric disorders, agrophobia, and panic disorder and generalized anxiety. Interestingly, when bully/victims were followed into young adulthood, they were at even greater risk of suicidality (suicidal or self-harmful thoughts) than pure victims. While only 5.7 percent of young adults who were neither bullies nor victims reported thoughts of suicide, a whopping 24.8 percent of bully/victims reported it. They also had the highest levels of depression, anxiety and panic disorder. This indicates that something about the combined nature of both being a bully and being bullied is very harmful indeed.”(Steele, 2019).

All parties are affected by cyberbullying which are the bully, victim, and parent. The nature dictates the occasion of the cyberbullying incident. There are many theories that can take on the cyberbullying approach in many levels such as anomie theory, choice theory, conflict theory, and general strain theory. “General Strain Theory,” sociologist Robert Agnew hypothesized that the strain and stress exerted on an individual as a result of bullying “can manifest it in problematic emotions that lead to deviant behavior,” possibly leading to delinquency. This theory stresses the vicious cycle that many teens may go through while being victimized. The cyclical repercussions of this process are particularly alarming if it leads a victim to antisocial behaviors when they try to find an outlet for their emotions.”(Donegan, 2012). Choice theory can register with bullies having or have negative role models in their lives that has distinguish abusive behavior that is now mimic from aggressor to aggresse. However, conflict theory describes the social status of the bully and the victim that they target to make them feel much better and superior over them. The social problems that arise in cyberbullying can be the conclusion of social inequalities.

Cyberbullying is getting worst with the advancement of social media. There are millions of people young people on social sites that have influenced older people to join. Young children communicate through social sites daily. Young children are also exposed to negative aspects and cyberbullying. Anyone can actually be a part of cyberbullying because of the anonymous function that is so easy to portray. “Today, cyberbullying occurs on countless social media platforms and apps. A 10-second Snapchat post can jump platforms and then go viral on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter in a matter of hours. Anyone in the world can view and comment on public videos posted on YouTube. In 2010, a Rutgers University student named Tyler Clementi jumped off the George Washington Bridge after his roommate live-streamed a video of Clementi kissing another man on Twitter. A federal cyberbulling law passed in 2012 bears his name.”(Team, 2017).

People around the world have came together to fight cyberbullying. Since celebrities have shown general effort to put a stop to cyberbullying amongst our children, there have been great lengths to accomplish the common goal implementing digital dignity and integrity. The United States of America and jurisdiction have in place anti-bullying laws that are prominent in schools and a few cyberbullying laws. The controversy is widespread surrounding cyberbullying from many children and adolescents committing suicide, court cases, and social media outlets adopting measures to combat cyberbullying in all aspects of its birth. We as adults have to take the first initiative so our children can become leaders and take more respectful necessary initiatives also.

References: Moreno, M. (2014). Cyberbullying. JAMA Pediatrics, 168(5), 500–500. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamapediatrics.2013.3343

Steele, A. (2019). The Psychological Effects of Bullying on Kids & Teens. Retrieved from https://mastersinpsychologyguide.com/articles/psychological-effects-bullying-kids-teens/

Donegan, R. (2012). Bullying and Cyberbullying: History, Statistics, Law, Prevention and Analysis. Retrieved from https://www.elon.edu/docs/e-web/academics/communications/research/vol3no1/04doneganejspring12.pdf

Team, T. B. (2017, March 22). The History of Cyberbullying. Retrieved from https://www.bark.us/blog/the-history-of-cyberbullying/

Public Affairs. (2019, December 4). Laws, Policies & Regulations. Retrieved from https://www.stopbullying.gov/resources/laws