Cyberbullying Is A Community Issue

The mass proliferation of Internet and communication technologies has made it possible for adolescents to remain in constant contact with one another. When the school day ends, tools such as texting, instant messaging, email and cell phones provide a broad technological playground in which teens can interact and hopefully grow.

Communication and Internet technology use among teens not only fosters social interaction but also promotes technological skill development – critical for the teen as he or she matures into adulthood. While the expansion of technology has created new opportunities for interaction among adolescents and their peers, it has also created a foundation for a new level of harassment: cyberbullying.

Cyberbullying results when bullying tactics such as name calling, harassment and spreading rumors transpire via internet and communication technologies. This type of bullying takes place in “real time,” and can make it difficult for the individual to escape. In the past, bullying that occurred in schools typically ended when the student went home for the evening or weekend. Cyberbullying, on the other hand, continues beyond the borders of the school, creating a situation in which the teen may feel as if he or she cannot escape being bullied.

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