By Kristie Kakos

Since the start of chat rooms, social media platforms and any back-and-forth communication between two, or more individuals cyberbullying started evolving. Personally, I come from the “millennial” generation. This generation is considered “digital natives”. We have seen rapid technological growth. This would be such as computers taking off, mobile phones, and e-mail, and so much more in the tech realm (Dorsey, 2022). Thus being said, I have seen a thing or two about how technology has effects with adults, and the youth. As adults you learn to develop a thick skin to criticisms, and tend to know how to handle your emotions, or situations more so than a developing adolescent.

The way of tech with chat rooms, social media platforms have started shaping the youth from the mid 90’s on up. The access the children have with these resources can be detrimental if not taught the proper ways to handle situations. The fact is cyberbullying is on the rise. Cyberbullying is bullying on the electronic platform. There has been increase suicide rates from cyberbullying. According to The Journal of American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law, 13.6 percent of kids have attempted suicide from cyberbullying.

We have to prevent cyberbullying with our youth, especially when their mortality could potentially be involved. The signs of being cyberbullied, or is cyberbullying: increased use of tech devices; the child hides their screen when others are near; social media accounts are shut down or new ones show up; the child is not enjoying things they once did (ASPA, 2021).

Now, there are ways to repair the damage of cyberbullying. They include: noticing the issue on hand that cyberbullying is present; talk about who is involved; document what has happened; report the issue on hand; support the parties involved (ASPA, 2021). A sheer reminder is social platforms usually have policies in place that do not condone cyberbullying. You can find resources on those where you like to network socially on your tech devices. Another great piece of information is to try to limit what your children are viewing. You can establish rules to what they are doing and viewing on your devices in your home. You can do this by teaching them why you are setting boundaries. You could also install software on your tech devices that blocks the use of certain platforms with limited interaction to the outside.

Discussion Questions

  1. What generation are considered “digital natives”?
  2. What decade did the tech era really shift?
  3. What is cyberbullying?
  4. Have you experienced cyberbullying, and or cyberbullied?
  5. Would there be anything you would add to detect cyberbullying?
  6. Would you add anything to repair a cyberbullying issue?
  7. Do you think youth should have access to social platforms?

Resources:

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