* The 2014-2015 senior student signature series features area senior class students – and their own “signature” outlooks on a topic of their choice. A new outlook will be posted on Cross-Counties Connect each Friday. The series opens with point of view comments by seniors from Mountain Lake Public High School. The opinions can be found by clicking on the Family & Faith link on the website’s header, and scrolling down to, and clicking on, Outlook. Their teachers are Brenda Feil, Kim Syverson and Debby Jass.
Friend or Foe?
Cyberbullying may seem unimportant since there is not physical contact, but, in reality, it can hurt even more than the actual thing. Cyberbullying is harassing or embarrassing another person through the use of technology. Behind those monitors are real people with real feelings. Cyberbullying is a terrible act that can destroy the victim’s reputation and life with just one click – or a single degrading word. This is becoming the strongest weapon in the world, and it will eventually become too big to control.
Cyberbullying is a serious issue because it can push young teens into depression – and even drive them to suicide. Cyberbullying needs to be taken just as seriously as traditional bullying. Cyberbullying is a real issue for our society.
Social media has become a big part of the world today. It can offer easy and convenient communication or entertainment. It is, however, important that parents monitor what is happening on sites such as Facebook, MySpace and Twitter via the internet. Even online games needs to be supervised due to age restrictions. I think that parents need to be monitoring their kids more regularly and be more involved in their child’s internet usage so cyberbullying doesn’t happen.
Due to cyberbullying in schools, students and teachers struggle with new laws that restrict technology. Some schools are even starting to restrict the use of the internet. I think that it would make it difficult for kids that use the internet for college classes or writing reports.
The Pittsylvania County School in Virginia offers cyber-etiquette classes, which is something I think most schools should start doing. These classes teach students how to deal with bullies and use online etiquette.
Even though cyberbullying may not seem like a huge deal right now, it is a problem that is growing and needs to come to an end.