Cyberbullicide - What We Can Do | Cyberbullying Research Center

We’ve been discussing cyberbullying and suicide recently, and even though cases are isolated and rare, the link is worth our attention. First, it reiterates the fact that all forms of adolescent peer aggression must be taken seriously both at school and at home, and that online harassment can have grave real-world implications. It also follows that we should make sure a suicide prevention and intervention component is essential within comprehensive bullying response programs implemented in schools. Without question, the topic is sensitive and its presentation should be age-appropriate, as students in all grade levels must understand the serious consequences associated with peer aggression. While suicide is an extreme response, proper discussion of its stark reality can vividly portray the extent of harm that peer harassment can exact. To be sure, educators must be careful not to plant ideas in the minds of youth related to suicide being a viable option to their interpersonal problems.

As evidenced by the increasing number of self-inflicted deaths among youth, though, it is essential to boldly (but delicately) broach the topic to dissuade this form of harm and to remind youth that help is available. Parents should likewise discuss the link between offline and online peer harassment and suicidal thoughts, and ought to consider utilizing stories in the news to underscore the seriousness of the matter. It may not be a comfortable conversation, but it seems quite necessary given the frequency with which youth are harassed and the manner in which they sometimes suffer.

There is the oft-invoked concern of “copycat” behaviors – that hearing about it will actually promote its growth rather than reduce it – but we are not finding this claim to be valid based on our experience with schools and youth across the nation. It could just be the way Justin and I specifically talk about the issues – we’re just not sure. It is likely worth studying through formal research in the future. Maybe breaking down the specific ways anti-[insert problematic behavior here] messages are delivered can inform an entire population of youth-serving adults as to the best way we can go about it – since they are succeeding in some areas but failing in others.

ruairi

cyberbullying happens aw over the world.there aye millons of yopung ppl ever year that be's bullyed online every year but thanks to sites lik this it doped. i beleave that the comment i hav just read is 100% true there is more than 1 kind of cyber bullying lik justin people is another form of bullyin along way a lot more!the most common form of cyber bullying is private mail couldme a comment or a photo that you dont want anyone to see been shared aw over the internet.
won

I wanna know difference between traditional and cyber bullying. also , whats worse mental or physical pain??
vm

cyber-bullicide, this is a term that refers to an individual committing suicide, because of continuous harassment and being bullied via messaging device such as cell phones and computers. The suicidal thought of those people can be attributed to the belief that everyone around them are making fun of them, because of what they might’ve seen about them online. Think of Ryan Halligan who committed suicide after a girl he befriended online betrayed his trust by forward all the messages he sent to her. Ryan thought the girl was really his friend so he revealed his feeling for her but rather than keeping those messages to herself, she forwarded them to the majority of her classmate. Feeling embarrassed that people were making fun of him and tormenting him at school, not being able to handle the teasing Ryan hung himself in his bathroom. This is tragic story of how the internet could be deadly if used the wrong way.
Chenise

Adolescents should be aware of the laws. I believe that if adolescents really understood how harmful and how much trouble they could get in whether cyberbullying or traditional bullying, they could really understand why they shouldn't do it. I also think there should be workshops in school that talks about bullying and the effects of it. I remember in high school we had a workshop that really helped students get to know other students. I thought that it helped you get to know where the other person was coming from, because after all you never know what someone is going through. Just as detrimental a hurtful saying can be, kind words can uplift someone and possibly save them.
Vita

How should one respond to cyberbullying? Being that I was cyberbullied because of a guy I was dating I can give insight on how I dealt with cyberbullying. I simply ignored it. I did not give these girls a reason to continue to harass me or call me names. Although you try to ignore what someone might write about you, the words hurt. However, despite what was said and how many times they wrote these hurtful and demeaning things to me I did not let it control my life. Social media sites like facebook have privacy settings that allows you to block individuals and even set your profile to private whereas people that are not your friend are unable to send you a message. I personally think of the bullying gets to a point where you feel threaten then one should notify the police. But every situation is different and when I was bullied I choose to not respond and ignore/block these ladies from contacting me.
Mariana

One of the most important steps to prevent cyber bullying is to educate the parents. Since technology is different from when most of today’s parents were in school, they need to be told how dangerous cyber bullying can be. If parents are aware of the severity of cyber bullying then they can pass the message to their children and keep a closer eye on what they do on the computer to help prevent cyber bullying. This is important because some students are more likely to listen to their parents than a teacher, and if they are hearing it from both then it can click to them that cyber bullying is a serious problem among teens. One of the ways I think we can get the school and parents on the same level about cyber bullying is to have at least one meeting a year addressing cyber bullying. If they are not able to attend they should have to read something about cyber bullying to inform them. A lot of parents do not believe that their child is cyber bullying or doing anything wrong. If we have the school bringing up this issue to them I believe they are going to be on top of what their child does so that they know their child is not cyber bullying.
Mariana

I agree when you say that parents have the greatest defense when it comes to cyber bullying. We all are very important when it comes to cyber bullying because we can all do something that helps people who fall victim to cyber bullying. Just like you mentioned that you would try and hide things from your parents, I have as well. I’m almost positive that at one point in our lives we have all tried to hide things from our parents about what we do on the internet. I am going to be 22 years old and I still do not want my parents knowing everything I do on the internet. The other day my mom friend requested me on facebook and I have yet to still accept. It’s not like I am doing anything wrong on facebook, it’s just the simple fact that I don’t want her to be nosey and ask me a million and one questions about my every day moves and where abouts. But I do believe that children who are younger, especially kids who still in middle school and their first years in high school, their parents should monitor what they do over social networking sites and electronic devices. At that young age, they go through many stages and they just want to “fit in” and they will do anything so they do “fit in”. Sometimes kids cyber bully other kids because they are envious and they don’t have the guts to do so in their faces, rather they hide behind a keyboard. Little do they know, those vulgar words they type to the victim can eventually end that persons life. I agree when you say that we have certain programs now where parents can spy on their kids and their involvement over the internet. Parents are able to connect on the internet without their child knowing. This is a good way to prevent cyber bullying. Although I said I wouldn’t add my own mother on facebook, I still believe that parents should be friends with their kids who are still in middle school and early high school years because then parents can see what their kids are up to. Communication is key in any relationship. Without communication a person gets no where. That is why I encourage for people to communicate with each other, especially the victims of cyber bullying because we are here to help.

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