Teens Speak Out Against Cyberbullies

Cyberbullies are just like schoolyard bullies, only they hide behind phony names on the Internet. The words they write, the lies they tell, and the phony Web sites they set up as "jokes" are often vicious, and can seriously harm their victims' self-esteem.

This summer, more than 140 teens from countries around the world met in London to find ways to fight cyberbullying. This International Youth Advisory Congress came up with a list of recommendations to stop cyberbullies. At the top of the list: education, "report abuse" buttons on social networks, and possibly adding tracking codes to trace every online message back to its sender.

Current Events talked with six U.S. students, ages 14-16, who participated in the IYAC. Here is what Nicole Hoyos, Alexandria Lopez, David Morgan, Sarah Nissen, Erin Sullivan, and Preston Wells had to say.

Q: Studies show that one in every three teens will be bullied by someone over the Internet. Why do you think cyberbullying is so common?

SARAH: I think the main reason cyberbullying has become the huge problem that it is today is because it’s easy, fast, and the bully doesn’t have to look the victim in the eye. These reasons make it easier for the bully and even more damaging to the victim. Sadly, most cyberbullied victims don’t talk about it because of pride, guilt, or a mixture of both.

PRESTON: Bullying is not looked at as a very bad thing. Many people are more worried about drugs or alcohol, rather than the effect bullying has on people. Bullying is also much easier online, because you’re behind a desk, away from society. People have no fear of bullying someone when they’re on the Internet, because as far as they know, who is going to stop them?

NICOLE: People act completely different on the Internet compared to how they would act in person. They take more risks not realizing that the consequences would still be the same as they would be if they said something in person. I've been threatened before on the Internet but when it came time to talk face to face, the girls bullying me did not make ANY threats whatsoever.

Q. Do you think cyberbullies understand the damage their behavior can do?

NICOLE: Many of the cyberbullies are completely oblivious to the fact that what they’re doing can literally ruin someone’s life.

ALEXANDRIA: When I was cyberbullied, I cried. People get extremely hurt by these things because you can’t tell how harsh they are meaning it to sound so everything comes out very rude and mean.

Q. How do other kids respond when they hear or see someone sending bullying text messages or setting up cruel web sites? How should they respond?

SARAH: Most people don’t give it a second thought. They think, “Well, they should know it’s only a joke.” Or,  “It’s no big deal.” Some may even join in, thinking it’ll be “funny.” Most people don’t know the damage that happens to the victim of cyberbullying, nor does the bully know the damage they’re causing when they themselves bully. Sometimes, I don’t even think bullies remember there’s another person on the other end.

NICOLE: Other kids usually won't say anything, or they will join right in. Never have I seen someone else try to stop the bullying. Kids are afraid to get involved and take a stand against cyberbullies because they’re scared of being targeted next. ... I think other kids should be more brave and take a stand for what they believe in. Once one child really stands up against cyberbullying, then other children who are also against it are bound to step up and speak their minds as well.

ERIN: I think they should respond by taking it more seriously and dealing with it head-on. I understand the First Amendment right of free speech, but I have come to believe it is more of a privilege. My fear is that if it continues to be abused or taken advantage of our ability to openly communicate with one another may become compromised and significantly diminished.

Q. What advice would you give kids who are just starting to communicate with one another on the Internet?

DAVID: Be careful. You wouldn't walk across the street without looking both ways. The Internet is the same way. It is used daily and you just have to see that there is potential danger and take a few precautions. Staying safe is easy as long as you are aware of the risks.

ERIN: I would tell them to be very careful with the comments they make or the photos they post because they can be misinterpreted, and once actions are made in cyberspace, they can never be erased.

Comments

[leandra]

I think the reason people are cyberbullying online is because they think that they can get away with it and nothing will happen to them.

[Anna]

I think cyberbulling is just wrong and I don't get why people do it!

[jaker]

I agree with Anna. Why do people do it? It's just wrong and it might drive the person they are bullying's self-respect into the ground and the cyberbully doesn't care.

[Sabrina]

Cyberbullies are really mean. They can say things that can make people depressed. They should just stop bullying.