Cyber Bullying and Suicide

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Suicide cases among young students resulting from cyber bullying have increased in the 21^st century. Hinduja and Patchin (2009) cite that although the rate of suicide have so far decreased in the US and other nations, the situation has continued to increase among those who are aged between 9 and 18 years. The increase in the death rates is attributed to cyber bullying. Although cyber bullying is illegal, it is often not easy to prosecute those involved. However, the behavior can easily be addressed by understanding the behavior in Psychology Assignment help . Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to highlight the act of cyber bullying and suicide, those exposed to the act, possible actions of that can be taken to address the act, and the plans that can be used to intervene for those affected.

Cyber Bullying

Overall, the act of bullying is perceived to be part of growth among young children. However, the internet has increased cases of bullying in the 21^st century (Dupper, 2013). Research shows that more than 83% of those aged between 9 and 18 years use cell phones often with approximately 77% of the users sending and receiving text messages. This has resulted into more than 20% of those children being affected by cyber bullying. The victims of cyber bullying are often exposed to harm in different ways which might lead to mental disturbance or even suicide (Dupper, 2013). Moreover, most of those exposed to cyber bullying sometimes opt to commit suicide are majorly girls.

Case of Cyber bullying are common among those who are overweight, ethnic, and religious minorities (Africa Americans, Hispanics, and Indians), disabled, bisexual, gays, lesbians, and those from low socioeconomic status (Willard, 2007). Those who experience cyber bullying of different kinds tend to commit such acts to their colleagues. In other words, cyber bullying is repetitive because most of these bullying others on the internet normally learn the behavior from parents, guardians, caregivers, older children, peers, or those in influential positions.

Evidence of Harassment

Cyber bullying is more than teasing through texting, emailing, or other forms of electronic communication to send or forward harmful images, messages, name-calling, and threats which results into physical and emotional attacks (Willard, 2007). Those involved in bullying sometimes post video clips showing how they abuse others or even publish personal information about those they harass. Certain information tends to be provocative thereby leading to abuse or ridicule. Internet makes bullying easy because those involved often feel less restricted to harmful acts than they could if they were in the presence of the victims.

Effects of Cyber bullying

Cyber bullying leads to suicide cases such that those affected complain of receiving derogatory remarks from the internet thereby leading to suicide (Juhnke, Granello, & Granello, 2010). In most cases, victims of cyber bullying experience loss of self-esteem, anxiety, and relationship problems with their friends and parents. Those affected might also suffer from gastrointestinal complications and physical pain as a result of stress; these effects and other aspects result into high incidences of suicide among the bully victims.

Actions for Addressing Cyber Bullying and Suicide

There are a number of measures that can help in addressing cyber bullying. The first measure is identifying the cause of cyber bullying. The presence of technology within the educational system important despite that lack of skills and knowledge among students on how to use internet for benefit purposes is one of the disposing factors to cyber bullying (Kowalski, Limber, & Agatston, 2012). Students should use technology effectively and safely for the purpose of communicating and learning from their colleagues. Therefore, educators should model and mentor students about how to handle the use of the internet with cautious. This would positively impact students and how they use technology. Through this strategy learners would gain knowledge and skills that would enable them send and receive constructive feedback on the internet.

Moreover the government should work closely with schools to offer teachers support and digital learning facilities to help eliminate cyber bullying and suicide among children (Kowalski, Limber, & Agatston, 2012). This would enable teachers to advice the students to categorize information they obtain from the internet as either bad or good, identify bullies, and block the device or the source of the information that is harmful. Owing to the fact that students access internet everywhere, training them about evaluating information would help them avoid being bullied on internet.

Moreover, those identified as bisexual, gays, and/or lesbians are exposed to being bullied online. However, this can be addressed by promoting good relationships among children. Brown (2013) suggests that, educators should respond positively to children in their bid to form or join groups at school supporting safety, respect for diversity, and inclusion. Schools should provide students with tools and online support to overcome challenges related to bisexuality and other statuses. Resources such as handout would enable the students to understand sexual and gender diversity to promote healthy relationships.

Moreover, school boards should create anti-harassment laws that prohibit abuse on electronic devises (Brown, 2013). For example, schools should treat any communication that amounts to cyber bullying as a criminal offence to prevent students from posting derogative information about their friends and sending or sharing provocative images online. Those accused of intentional infliction should be prosecuted and charged for the crimes.

Intervention Plan for Cyber Bullying and Suicide Victims

The first plan is to request the ministry to provide schools with sufficient resources to enable teachers to train students on how to evaluate information they obtain from the internet. The ministry should also support access to counselors and police whenever necessary to enable children to get help in case they are bullied. According to Brown (2013), the government should ensure access to community partners including mentors and administrators to enable children access help in case they are bullied. For example, counselors would assist those bullied and their families to overcome depression that might lead to suicide cases.

The government should also create school-based policies and procedures. Brown (2013) suggests the creation of school-based restorative justice to enable administration, students, teachers, parents, and entire community to resolve cyber bullying conflicts. The restorative plan should facilitate categorization of information as harmful or not and cite legal actions against those involved. In addition, schools and parents should support children to enable them develop skills to understand what they should look for online and what they should share about their friends (Brown, 2013). For example, children can use internet to learn social, sex, and gender diversity thus avoid hurting others by describing them as bisexual or disabled. Schools can promote ethical online behavior by developing and maintaining anti-cyber bullying websites and post ideas related to anti-cyber bullying.

Conclusion

Access to internet and electronic devices has led to increased cases of suicide as a result of cyber bullying. However, the problem can be addressed by empowering members of the public with information and resources required to train students on how to utilize the internet for the purpose of communicating and learning. The government should also formulate laws to enable schools and the public in general to address cyber bullying.

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