Black text flashes across the screen, an attempt to shoot a bullet into someone’s heart. A facebook wall post, an anonymous comment on Tumblr or Ask.fm, a tweet – it can lead to rumors and insults which brings tears and and a large cut in someone’s self-esteem.
With the anonymous option, bullying has been taken to a whole new level.
While threatening to take someone’s money or shoving their books to the ground as you walk past are all obvious forms of bullying, cyberbullying often does not attract attention until it is too late.
Victims are often too afraid to stand up for themselves.
Online, bullying becomes much easier as it all comes through the form of text. It is easier to type things online, where there is almost no way to get caught.
Cyberbullying does not occur as often on Facebook or Twitter since there is no anonymous feature available. However, websites such as Tumblr and Ask.fm do offer that feature, and there is no way to track the bully unless one attempts the tedious act of tracking the IP, which allows one to track the bully’s location.
Recently at McKinley High School, a cyberbullying issue hit nationwide news as the cheerleaders were accused of this issue. As punishment, the team was not able to attend practices or wear and use anything that relates to their sport.
Bullying can be prevented. The administration held a mandatory meeting for all sports teams where the administration talked about the consequences of bullying and how it can affect the victims.
Public Service announcements can be played every morning on the school’s bulletin, events could be held to raise awareness against bullying. Motivational guest speakers could give words of wisdom about bullying to many students.
However, it is up to the student if they would like to take in all the information to better themselves or to just let the information slip out the other ear.