Bullying was once considered to be a part of the growing up process. But not anymore. Because of the increase of violence in the school system, bullying is no longer considered to be just a phase that some kids will go through. Bullying has now gone hi-tech. In the past, bullying was done one of two ways.
The first way was through aggressive behavior. Aggressive behavior includes using force such as hitting, spitting, kicking, and physically hitting the victim. This physical bullying is repeated quite often, generally without the victim doing anything to provoke the offender.
The second way was through verbal abuse. Verbal bullying is abusing the victim by teasing, being sarcastic, and ridiculing the victim. Again, the victim is quite often abused without any provocation toward the offender.
Now there is a new and technological way of hurting someone through bullying. And unfortunately, kids of all ages are taking part. Here are a few ways cyber bullying is accomplished.
Bullying through text messaging is one kid often starting the bullying by sending very hurtful text messages to the intended victim on his or her cell phone. That same message is then sent to more of the bully’s contacts on the list.
Bullying through email is a group of kids bombarding very hurtful messages to the intended victim, and again sending copies of the emails to their friends to add to the bullying or use as a good laugh at the target.
Bullying through a website is a website being established for the sole purpose of allowing other kids to write publicly displayed and hurtful messages about the victim or target. The website is emailed to several people so they all get a chance at hurting the target.
Websites are also used as a voting tool. Voting for things such as the biggest loser in school, the fattest or ugliest girl. And once again, this website is published for others to add even more humiliation.
Cell phone cameras are used to take picture of people in school locker rooms so cyber bullies can post them on the net. The website is also published and the target is publicly humiliated.
Cyber bullying is said to be the worst kind of bullying. This is mainly because of the speed of the technology that is available today. The derogative remarks made to someone or about someone are more readily available for more people to see, therefore, causing even more psychological damage.
If you feel your child is a victim of cyber bullying, talk to the officials in your child’s school. The school system should be able to help find the appropriate officials to get involved to solve the issue. If the issue is handled anonymously, the intended target may not be further victimized. Also, do not be afraid to ask the school authorities if there are programs available to work with the kids in school about cyber bullying and the consequences. Follow up with the school to make sure the issue is being resolved so that no other child in school will become a victim us such horrible abuse.
