Opposing Side: Cyber Bullying

     Bullying is a very big problem for school age children of all ages.  Bullying comes in many forms, and in each form, it is always a traumatic problem. Many people believe that cyber bullying is not a big deal. They feel that offline bullying is a much bigger problem and cyber bullying is a problem that the victim brings upon themselves. They also believe that cyber bullying is easily solved. Having stricter laws about cyber bullying can help this distressing problem, those who are opposing this problem believe that this problem is easily stopped, and does not need stricter punishments.

    The opposing side thinks the best way to stop this problem is for the victims to stop placing themselves up for bait. Amanda Lenhart, senior research specialist at the Pew Internet & American Life Project, explained that “Teens who share their identities and thoughts online are more likely to be targets than are those who lead less active online lives.” A lot of times bullying starts off from the victims sharing something private and the bully then shares the information in a mean way electrically. Teenagers can share a secret about themselves or send sexual photos. Also people use social networks to share personal information. For example people update their profile with information about their day or about how they are feeling. The opposing side feels when teenagers do this they are giving bait to the bullies and basically giving them their ammunition to begin the horrible harassment and that being more private and not sharing information will help the cyber bullying problem. Cyber bullying is not putting the blame on the victims. The victims are not asking to be harassed. The victims of cyber bullying have the right to say whatever they want on social networks. The bullies should have enough morals to know bullying is not okay. Humiliating someone and getting joy out of their pain is mental.  The other opposing side also argues that the victims should just eliminate the “cyber” part of the bullying. These social networks are something you do not have to engage in. When victims are being cyber bullied, their suggestions are just to delete the network, no network, no cyber bullying. What they do not realize is that cyber bullying also occurs on cell phones and emails. Cell phones are a big part of everybody’s life. Why should a victim give up their electrics because a bully does not know how to control themselves?

     The victims of cyber bullying should not have to change their life styles. The bullies should have harsher punishments and the bullies should be the ones changing their life styles. The bully should be banned from social networks and monitored on cell phones. It is not the victim’s fault they are getting harassed and they should not have to pay for the bully’s wrong doings. 

Lenhart, Amanda. "Cyberbullying Is Not Worse than Physical Bullying." Media Violence. Ed. Louise I. Gerdes. San Diego: Greenhaven Press, 2004. Opposing Viewpoints. Rpt. from "Cyberbullying and Online Teens." Pew Internet & American Life Project. 2007. Opposing Viewpoints In Context. Web. 14 Apr. 2013.