If you’re a teenager, you already know how
difficult it can be to deal with online bullying. It’s a fact that being the
target of a cyberbully can ruin your life, and it’s important to know that
you’re not alone and that there are things you can do to limit your exposure to
the disasters of technology.
Take a look at a few important statistics that speak to the issue
of cyberbullying:
« Over half of America’s teens have been
harassed online, and about the same number have engaged in cyberbullying
others. [iSafe, Inc.]
« School cyberbullying statistics are
increasingly viewed as a key contributor to youth violence, including homicides
and suicides. [CNN]
« Victims of cyberbullying are 1.9 times
more likely to attempt suicide. [Cyberbullying Research Center]
« The majority of cyberbullying attacks
go unreported to parents, teachers and the authorities. [Adoption Articles Directory]
« 39% of teens admit to using social
networks to victimize and harass their peers. [The Examiner.com]
The truth is, cyberbullying affects almost every family in
America and almost every teen has experienced some form of online harassment.
Remember these few important steps if you find yourself a
victim of cyberbullying:
·
Ignore the person or people sending
the harassing texts and Facebook posts.
·
Block the cyberbully from your
Facebook and your cell phone.
·
Finally, Report them! There are things
that can be done to make sure that bullies are made responsible for their
actions and that they face the appropriate consequences.
WARNING: Sometimes when you’re
surrounded by people that are constantly accusing you of something that isn’t
true, you may actually start to believe them, which can be very dangerous and
harmful to your health! Rely on your true friends to stand by and stand up for
you. Remember, it’s difficult to fight cyberbullies on your own, ask for help!
For more great information what cyberbullying is and how you
can stop attacks check out the Great American Challenge No Bull website at http://nobullchallenge.org.
