Cyberbullying And Its Effect On Society

893 Words4 Pages
The advancements in modern technology pose a new challenge in today’s society. It affects not only students, but adults and teachers alike in contesting what is commonly known as cyberbullying. Cyberbullying can be defined as the willful and repeated use of cellphones, computers, and other electronic communication devices to harass and threaten others. (McQuade, 2006) Because we live in a cyber society, nearly anyone can become a victim of cyber bullying. It is important to distinguish the difference between cyber harassment and cyberbullying. The sole difference is the victim’s age. Cyberbullying usually involves a minor and happens within a school environment, whereas cyber harassment involves all age groups. Cyberbullying is becoming a bigger focus in state legislatures. Victims of cyberbullying may experience the same effects as children that are bullied in person. However, cyberbullying can seem more extreme to its victims because of several factors. One of which: It can be anonymous. Cyberbullies often disguise themselves through computers and email addresses that do not identify who they are. Being unaware of who is responsible for bullying messages can add to a victim 's anxiety. Cyberbullying and cyber harassment allows a bully to remain anonymous if they chose. When bullying occurs through the internet, harassing messages can easily go undetected. In fact, many people who are victims of cyber bullying do not inform others. In many cases the acts are virtually
Get Access