It is no secret that the internet and social networking sites have opened many doors in the past decade. We now have access to much information that we may have never even known existed and it is now much easier to stay in contact with loved ones and friends thanks to sites like Facebook. In fact, according to a poll done by CBS.com, most teens spend about three hours a day on the web (McNamara). It is no wonder then that the internet has become the hot spot for teenage communication, including the hot spot to tease and bully their peers. Cyber bullying is becoming more of a problem for American youth than ever before. In fact, according to a poll by Fight Crime: Invest, 1 in 3 teens has been the victim of cyber bullying (Kids Health). Cyber-bullying has been defined as “when the Internet, cell phones or other devices are used to send or post text or images intended to hurt or embarrass another person” (Wikipedia) In this paper, we will delve into the mental heath effects of cyber bullying. The major effects that cyber bullying have on a teen are isolation, depression, and suicide.
The first effect of cyber bullying on teenagers we will discuss is isolation. Often times, the victim of cyber bullying can feel like they are alone in their struggle with their peers. They can start to develop low self-esteem. To avoid being picked on (both in the real and virtual world), it is common for victims to begin to isolate themselves from their peers and friends (Wikipedia).
Being the victim of cyber bullying can also inhibit the victim from feeling like they should include themselves in school and outside activities like sports and music groups. The victims of cyber bullying will often isolate themselves from school groups and activities (Wikipedia/Kids Health).
Other than isolating themselves from school groups and friends, the victims of cyber bullying often end up feeling depressed. In fact, victims of cyber bullying report feeling more depressed than victims of typical face-to-face bullying (Depression High among Youth Victims ). Depression can be a serious problem for teenagers. Often, depression can lead to teens feeling hopeless about their situation, crying, and can cause a teen to over-eat or even refuse to eat (Mayo Clinic Staff).
Teens suffering from depression can become angry and/or irritable in their every day life. These teens are also more likely to have teenage pregnancies, begin using alcohol and illegal drugs, and can begin to perform poorly in school. On the extreme side of depression, a teenager suffering from depression may also begin to suffer from an eating disorder or may start to self-harm themselves. A teen suffering from depression may start to have suicidal thoughts as well (Mayo Clinic Staff).
Sometimes, depression can lead to not only teens having suicidal thoughts, but to teens actually attempting suicide. In fact, as many as 19,000 kids try to commit suicide each year. This is one every half an hour (Preventing Cyberbullying). The victims of cyber bullying are also twice as likely to have attempted suicide than their peers who were not bullied (Kids Health).
The story of Megan Meier’s suicide struck a flame after her suicide was linked to being bullied online. Megan was only 13 when she took her own life by hanging herself in her closet, after being ridiculed by who she thought was a teenage boy she had become friends with online. As it would turn out, the “boy’s” account was actually maintained by the mother of one of Meier’s old friends. The messages they exchanged, calling Megan a slut along with other insults, were devastating to the teen. Megan was already suffering from low self-esteem and depression, and the online messages pushed her over the edge (ABCNews).
In conclusion, cyber bullying can have devastating effects on a teenager’s psychological well being. It can cause a victim to isolate themselves, suffer from depression, and in extreme cases cause a victim of cyber bullying to take their own life. Learning more about this topic has taught me that cyber bullying is no less deviating to a person’s well being than normal bullying. I am sure that I will use this information in my dealings with my little sister being bullied, as well as in my chosen career as a high school teacher. I think that procedures to prevent cyber bullying should be more. They could save a life.
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“Cyber-bullying.” Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. Web. 17 Aug. 2011. .
Depression High among Youth Victims of School Cyber Bullying, NIH Researchers Report, September 21, 2010 News Release.” National Institutes of Health (NIH). Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. Web. 17 Aug. 2011. .
Mayo Clinic Staff. “Teen depression: Prevention begins with parental support – MayoClinic.com.” Mayo Clinic. Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, n.d. Web. 17 Aug. 2011. .
McNamara, Melissa. “Teens Are Wired … And, Yes, It’s OK – CBS News.” Breaking News Headlines: Business, Entertainment & World News – CBS News. CBS Interactive Inc., 11 Feb. 2009. Web. 17 Aug. 2011. .
“Parents: Cyber Bullying Led to Teen’s Suicide – ABC News.” ABCNews.com: Daily News, Breaking News and Video Broadcasts – ABC News. ABC News, 19 Nov. 2007. Web. 17 Aug. 2011. .
“Preventing CyberBullying.” Squidoo : Welcome to Squidoo. Web. 17 Aug. 2011. .
