Ankit Shah
Mr. Cardillo
World Literature
21 May 2010

Cyberbullying effects on Teenagers

About 45 milling American kids between the ages 10 to 17 are estimated to be online, spending numerous hours each day at their computers. (Daniels 114) Mostly teenagers go on computer, to use social networking sites with friends and family, but they run into the risk of cyber bullying. This effects their emotions, mental health, and the only solution to this they see is to commit suicide.
With the click of a button, they can e-mail rumors, post false comments on social networking sites, changing a peer’s reputation and social life. Internet bullying involves a population that is largely middle class; usually the “good kids” who are least expected to bully or degrade others. Cyberbullying allows kids to say and do things they wouldn’t do face –to-face, and they feel like they won’t be held accountable; which gives them a false sense of security and power. Nowadays, with teenagers spending so much time on computer, whether to shop, playing games, or do schoolwork, they are easier to be bullied. (Daniels 114)
Mostly teenagers go on computer, to use social networking sites with friends and family, but they run into the risk of cyber bullying. This effects their emotions, mental health, and the only solution to this they see is to commit suicide.
When thinking about computers, the internet, and violence, most people probably think about violent web sites or computer games. However, with the increasing access to the internet because of cell phones and more widespread computer ownership, the Internet has become an increasingly popular bullying tool. Now, bullies don’t need to rely on whispered rumors or to spread gossips and lies. With a mouse click or the push of a cell phone button, untruths, gossip, and even photos-real or “doctored” – can be spread all over the world at one time. (McIntosh)
Some teenagers are not aware of what is cyberbullying, and the harmful effects that they suffer from for the rest of their lives.
Cyberbullying is defined as threats or other offensive behavior sent online to a victim or sent or posted online about the victim for others to see. Cyberbullying can take in many different forms; for example it can be a message on email, or on IM or a social networking site from someone who is threatening to hurt or beat you up. It might be rumors posted on your profile or spread online for others to see. It might be the deletion of you on a friend’s “buddy list” to make you feel left out. It could be a profile made by someone pretending to be you. Or, someone hacking into your profile and writing comments pretending they’re from you. In general, cyber bullying is bullying or harassing that happens online. Much of it is similar to what teenagers experience offline in schools, homes, or the community, but has the additional aspect of the Internet. Cyberbullying occurs in many different places online including instant messaging, chat rooms, email, and the most common on social networking sites. (“What is cyberbullying?”)
The most popular place where cyber bullying occurs is on social sites. These sites are where teenagers make a profile page and interact with their friends through computers.
Social networking is the way the 21st century communicates now. Although social networking in possible in person, especially in workplace, universities, and high schools, it is most popular online. This is because unlike most high schools, colleges, or workplace, the internet is filled with millions of individuals, who are looking to meet other people. When it comes to online social networking, websites are commonly used. These websites are known as social sites. Social networking websites function like an online community of internet users. Many of these online community members share common interests in hobbies, religion, or politics. Once you are granted access to a social networking