Cyberbullying
Irma Tovar
Why People do it and how to handle it
Surviving Cyberbullying
Leigh says she has come through the experience more self-aware and compassionate toward others. It was a terrible time, she says, but with some counseling and support from adults and friends, she was able to make sense of what happened to her.
Why Do People Do It?
Why would someone be a cyberbully? There are probably as many reasons as there are bullies themselves.
Sometimes, what seems like online harassment may be accidental. The impersonal nature of text messages, posts, and other ways of communicating online means it can be hard to figure out if someone is joking or not.
Popular kids or teens may bully because:
- They see it as a way to stay popular.
- Hurting others makes them feel powerful.
Kids or teens who are less socially successful may bully because:
- It helps them cope with their own low self-esteem.
- They think it will help them fit in with their peers.
- They have trouble empathizing with those they hurt
Work Cited
"11 Facts About Cyber Bullying." Do Something. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Feb. 2014.
"Cyberbullying." — National Crime Prevention Council. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 Feb. 2014.