Cyber Bullying: Affects and Prevention?

• By admin
• 30 September, 2012
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The recent suicide of 13-year old Cade Poulos at Stillwater Junior High September 26, has brought the issue of bullying to the forefront of town conversations.

Stillwater Police Captain Randy Dickerson believes bullying may have been a cause for the public suicide of Poulos due to reports from fellow students.

Cyber bullying is a significant problem with teens throughout America.

“It [cyber bullying] is the modern form of bullying,” said Reverend April Coates, Alumni Chair of the Wesley Foundation and Pastor of Wilburton United Method Church. “It is a social pandemic, because students don’t feel like there are any repercussions with technology. They never have to look anyone in the face. This makes them more like to bully and to be harsher.”

According to StatisticBrain.com, 52 percent of students report being cyber bullied. Out of the students being bullied only 52 percent tell their parents.

There is a lot that can be done to reduce cyber bullying among teens.

According to ConnectSafely.org, there are nine tips to stop cyber bullying;
• Don’t respond
• Don’t retaliate
• Save the Evidence
• Block the bully
• Reach out for help
• Use reporting tools
• Be civil
• Don’t be a bully
• Be a friend, not a bystander

“Educating parents is important,” said Coates. “They should monitor what their kids are saying on social media. Monitoring and accountability are key to preventing bullying. We, as pastors, are very quick to call someone out on what they say online, but some parents don’t understand the technology their kids use.”

Bullying can have serious effects on teens.

According to TeenDepression.org between 15 to 25 percent of teen suicides are caused by bullying.

Suicide is a surprising large issue among teens.

According to FamilyFirstAid.org suicide if the third leading cause of death in teens.

Hopefully the unfortunate events that surrounded Poulos’s untimely death will prevent instances like these from happening in the future.