A recent study showed that 40 percent of school bullying goes unreported. It is unknown if it is because of insensitivity, 
it’s become so normal in our societies, or we simply are unable to identify it. One thing is certain, it’s time to actually do something about it.
Bullying has become an epidemic in the United States, and social media has taken it to another level. One where parents, educators, and those who are normally in a position to help simply don’t know what to do. According to a report by the Center for Disease Control, one out of 12 teens have attempted suicide, and one in six high school students have considered suicide. The ability to connect with just about anyone at any point in time has paved the way to a new form of bullying, cyberbullying. There are many forms of cyberbullying, all of which are harmful. These forms include but are not limited to:
Text Messages
It is usually the case, if your bully has your phone number then he or she can text horrible things long after you have left school for the day. This is an invasion of your safe space and time. One in five teenagers will be victims of text bullying. With new anonymous messaging apps like Whisper, making it easier than ever.
Social Media Attacks
Posting hurtful words on someone’s social media page or on your own, for a large number of people to see is the ultimate form of humiliation. It reaches far beyond a schoolyard, and can spread quickly to hundreds of children. Ninety-five percent of teenagers have witnessed cyberbullying while using social networking sites. These issues are not limited to children, however. In 2013, 30 percent of online stalker harassments began on Facebook.
Plan of Action
One of the first questions a parent or educator asks when their child has been placed in any of these situations is “why?”. There are several answers. When polled by nobullying.com, bullies offered a variety of reasons for for their actions:
If we deconstruct each of these viewpoints, we can find the root of the issue, and we can finally help to stop bullying. The reality is that this issue is focused entirely on the victim and the bully left without the help that he or she needs. Children who are bullies at school, may need to talk about what they’re doing and what is going on at home to help in changing their behavior.
Here are a few things that we can do to prevent cyberbullying:
Be Aware
Look for signs of harassment, such as threatening or explicit messages in repetitive contact through e-mails, texts, or social networks. If you witness online harassment, report it. If you are the victim, try your best to block online contact.
Keep the Evidence
While we all hope that bullying never reaches an extreme, it is still a good idea to save all contact from the abuser. Bullies may not recognize that many things they do are illegal, including but not limited to:
What YOU Can Do
If you see something, say something. Under-reported bullying is one of the underlying causes for its uncontrolled growth. Be cautious about who you give your contact information to, as this can lead to unwanted communication.
Never participate in cyberbullying. Never take photos or videos without someone’s permission. Even if your friends are taking part, you shouldn’t.
What WE Can Do
Ultimately, we as a society must educate each other. The young, the old, the victims, and the bullies themselves must learn the facts surrounding bullying and the damage that it causes. It is through community involvement and education that bullying can be eradicated in all of its forms.
