For years, social networks have been used to bring people together. Social networks has unfortunately also introduced cyberbullying. Cyberbullying is bullying that takes place on the internet using cell phones, computers, and tablets. Cyberbullying occurs through social media sites, text messages, chat, and other websites. Examples of cyberbullying is mean text messages or rumors posted on social networking sites, and embarrassing pictures, videos, websites, or fake profiles and much more. Cyberbullying can happen at anywhere and at any time of the day, which makes it difficult for parents to protect to their child. Messages and photos can be posted and distributed quickly to a very wide audience through social networks like Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. The internet allows personal information to be exhibited worldwide, allowing thousands or millions of people to access the information at any one time anywhere making ways for the victims to escape increasingly limited. Kids who are cyberbullied are more likely to use alcohol and drugs, skip school, experience in-person bullying and have lower self-esteem.
Some social networks allow users to create an account without entering a lot of personal information, making it easier for users to make fake profiles. Sites like Kik or Ask.fm, allow bullies hide behind these fake or anonymous profiles to harass their victims, making it difficult for victims to pinpoint who their bully. Although these sites have features like blocking the harasser or reporting nasty comments, some of the victims don't know these features are available to them. Victims should be able to use social networks without being scared of being harassed or watched.
Work Cited
Wallace, Kelly. "Parents, beware of bullying on sites you've never seen". CNN Living. October 16, 2013. Web. Cable News Network. April 10, 2014.
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