Cyber-Bullying

The common problem of cyber-bullying has now once again resurfaced, and the big questions are coming at everyone in heaps. People, teachers, administrators, and other kids ask day in and day out: Why does this happen? Why do I think people bully online? What should someone do about it? How should it be properly handled? Is it more likely for people to take a stand online or in real life? What would I do if I witnessed people being bullied?  I have a neutral opinion when it comes to forms of bullying and some people may agree and others may not.

            Why do I think people bully online? People bully online for a multitude of reasons. Bullying online occurs because they have a broader audience, spectators who are going to feed into their nonsense. A bigger audience means more supporters to a cyber-bully. Sometimes when a person is being bullied online it can be a result of their behavior also. People never really think of that reason because they feel sorry for the victim being harassed, but bullying can be a form of payback in a way.

            Is it more likely for people to take a stand online or in real life? People that take a stand toward bullying differ on how and where they take a stand. On social media (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Tumblir etc.) there will normally always be at least one person who comments back taking a stand or defending the person being bullied however, those comments can be deleted or even prompt for more bullying to take place.

            What would I do if I witnessed people being bullied?  This question is where I become very iffy on the subject of bullying. Bullying, whether people like it or not, is a normal thing that happens to people at some point in time. I have been in some situations where people have been bullied and (Some people may disagree with me on this…) on different occasions I may help, ignore it, or depending on whom it may be I might sit back and watch how far it will go. It does not matter how many times you say something, comment, try to stop it, it continues as long as there are responses. I have been in the place of the victim on countless occasions. I know from experience that whether people stick up for you hardly makes much of a difference. It gives the person a little comfort in knowing they have support in the situation however, that support does not fully make the emotional pain go away. 

Bullying is a serious matter but different people deal with it in various ways. Anyone who tries to stop it is not 100% successful and those who do nothing are not fully contributing.  It is a broad topic with many subjects and a handful of questions …. It is up to the victim, the audience, and the bully to come up with the answers.