Cyber bullying is a unique form of bullying that continues in spite of the dire consequences that can and do occur. Cyberbullying has gained significant media attention and countless incidents of bullying continue to occur. Although may cases are reported in the news, probably as many if not more go unreported. Bullying has been defined as something that one repeatedly does or says to gain power over another person. Unlike traditional bullying, cyberbullying eliminates the need for physical contact with others in order to make them feel inferior. Cyberbullying is “when a child, preteen or teen is tormented, threatened, harassed, humiliated, embarrassed or otherwise targeted by another child, preteen or teen using the Internet, interactive and digital technologies or mobile phones. Technology as an avenue for intimidation is a hot-button issue for school systems and parents alike. This is uncharted territory, and legislation does not always provide guidance and structure. The reality is that bullying makes a significant negative impact on the lives of today’s youth. Cyberbullying directly impacts self-esteem and can, and has, led to suicide among its adolescent victims. Schools, parents and peers must identify and intervene in cases of cyberbullying. Increased _________________________ Lecture Note _________________________ awareness and education about cyber bullying and its consequences can help create a safer online community. Individuals should be held morally responsible for the consequences of their actions online. A young adult’s behaviour is primarily motivated by a desire to meet his or her basic need for recognition, attention and approval. Adolescents turn to cyberbullying to fuel their need for attention and instant messaging conversations, but has expanded to include social networking web sites (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter) and video sharing web sites (Youtube, TikTok). Text messaging and anonymous web postings are common methods of cyberbullying. Very recently, cyberbullying has established a presence in portable gaming devices through ‘virtual worlds’ and interactive sites. Cyberbullying is more attractive than traditional bullying for a variety of reasons. Firstly, technology provides the perpetrator with the option of anonymity. Victims often do not know who is targeting them because the bully is able to hide his or her identity through anonymous web posts or fictitious e-mails. Secondly, bullies are able to expand the scope of their impact because a larger network of individuals may be involved in the cyber-attack. With just a few mouse clicks, an entire community may be a participant in the incident, creating the perception that ‘everyone knows about it.’ Many argue that it is psychologically easier to be a cyberbully than a traditional bully. A cyberbully does not have to physically confront the victim and witness the immediate result of a message. Some cyberbullies might not even recognise the severity of their actions, which take place from a different location. Lastly, the response to cyberbullying has been slow, suggesting to perpetrators that there are little or no consequences for malicious online actions. Today’s youth are “wired” and connected to technology 24/7. Given the accessibility of technology, it should be no surprise that individuals are using the internet, cell phones and other electronic instruments to bully each other. A 2010 study revealed that “30% of middle school students in the U.S were victims of at least one of nine forms of cyber bullying two or more times in the past 30 days” and “22% of middle school students admitted to engaging in at least one of five forms of cyber bullying two or more times in the past 30 days.” With such a large percentage of today’s youth affected by cyberbullying, something has to be done. Cyberbullying is damaging to the self-esteem of the victims. Victims of cyberbullying typically report feeling angry, frustrated, sad, embarrassed and scared. Cyberbullying is a real issue that deserves recognition. We should be educating adolescents about the potentially damaging effects of their actions, responding to incidents, and holding the appropriate people accountable in instances of cyberbullying. All stakeholders in cyberbullying can have an incredibly harmful effect on adolescents if nobody intervenes. Teenagers, parents, schools, and the government especially, have a moral responsibility to take action when they come across cyberbullying. From an ethical perspective, we can no longer be bystanders. Take a stand against cyberbullying. Questions: What are the issues with cyberbullying? Explain. Who are the stakeholders in cyberbullying cases and what are the stakes for them? Who is ethically responsible for the rise and continuance of cyberbullying? Should social networking sites be censored in an effort to stop cyberbullying? Explain. Is it legal and ethical to censor social networking sites to stop cyberbullying? Explain.