Some people might not think agree that bullying and cyberbullying is as big of an issue as many have made it sound like, therefore there are not that many victims to this issue. They are wrong, an American Life Survey found that on average 33% of teenagers are cyberbullied. Also “Bullies are notorious for tormenting their victims face to face - usually at school - on the playground or in the cafeteria. But in recent years the Internet has not only increased the ability to bully at school, but has brought the problem into our homes and elsewhere - actually just about anywhere - at any time” which reinforces that fact that those who say it is not as big of a issue are wrong (NY DCJS). Like mentioned because of the availability of the Internet almost everywhere now, at home, school and even on the street on our mobile devices people can be bullied anywhere anytime. To those who argue it is not a big issue yet, if it is not a big issue then why do so many teenagers such as Tyler Clementi and Amanda Todd take their lives everyday for being bullied, or even worse like my sister’s friend who tried to but was unsuccessful because of my sister and I. If it is not a big issue then why has Hollywood stepped up and created movies such as Cyberbully to show the importance of this issue. Even the popular TV show, Glee created a couple of episodes about bullying and cyberbullying and how it can affect someone’s life and what the outcome of it can be. These TV shows and movies and real life events are perfect examples as in to bullying and cyberbullying are a big issue in today’s society and also why they are not a “victim-less” crime as many have put them. New York State Department of Criminal Justice Services has published on their website that “Peer approval is very important to children. This means that cyber bullying can have a negative or even destructive emotional effect on victims, ranging from hurt feelings to intense anger. It can also result in significant depression and in the most severe cases has even resulted in suicide. Someone taking their life is a big issue, and it should not be taken lightly, which is why New York State has launched a website to inform its citizens of such issues and tell them how they can identify and help those who have become victims of bullying and cyberbullying.
Source: NY DCJS. "Cyber Bullying." New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services. New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services, 26 Nov. 2012. Web. 26 Nov. 2012. <http://www.criminaljustice.ny.gov/missing/i_safety/cyberbullying.htm>.
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