Social Media Project - Cyberbulling by

Smartphones, cyberbullying seen as possible causes of rising teen suicide rate

qb6tfm99y4 — 2023-12-06 20:48:34 UTC

The CDC also says suicide rates for teenage girls are at a 40-year high. Experts cite family instability and substance use as some factors for suicide, but the role of cyberbullying is becoming more prevalent. "Teens are much more likely now than they were just five years ago, or seven years ago, to say that they are anxious and depressed and thinking about suicide," said Jean Twenge, a psychologist at San Diego State University. In a provocative new article for The Atlantic, Twenge makes a correlation between the popularity of smartphones and increased rates of suicide and depression among young people."Teens who use electronic devices more hours a day are more likely to be a risk for suicide," Twenge said.

Cyberbullying Tragedy: New Jersey Family to Sue After 12-Year-Old Daughter's Suicide

qb6tfm99y4 — 2023-12-06 20:56:58 UTC

Mallory Grossman killed herself after classmates cyberbullied her, her family says. They intend to sue the New Jersey school they say should have stopped it. Dianne Grossman said when the school failed to stop the harassment towards her daughter, Mallory, she even tried approaching one alleged bully’s parent, begging the woman to ensure her child would stop. Her pleas were instantly dismissed, Grossman said.“[Mallory’s] life tragically ended when her own classmates used this cellphone to drive her into this tragedy,” Nagel said. “For months there were texts, Snapchat and Instagram — she was told she was a loser, she had no friends. She was even told, ‘why don't you kill yourself.’ “It got to the point where she didn’t want to go to school. She had chronic headaches, stomach aches,” Grossman said. “Her grades plummeted. [The school's] focus seemed to be strictly on academics, they weren't concerned with her emotional health.”

Cyberbullying Statistics

qb6tfm99y4 — 2023-12-06 21:05:21 UTC

Key Findings:
-Nearly half of young people (47%) have received intimidating, threatening or nasty messages online
-Children and young people are using social media for longer periods, and using multiple profiles
-Underage (U13) use of social media is common place
-There is a connection between intensive social media use and mental ill health.
-Of children currently experiencing a mental health problem, over 2/3 (68%) say they experienced cyberbullying in the last year.

Tips to Stop Cyberbullying

qb6tfm99y4 — 2023-12-06 21:32:00 UTC

Save the evidence. The only good news about bullying online or on phones is that it can usually be captured, saved, and shown to someone who can help. You can save that evidence in case things escalate.

Reach out for help – especially if the behavior’s really getting to you. You deserve backup. See if there’s someone who can listen, help you process what’s going on and work through it – a friend, relative or maybe an adult you trust

Don’t respond or retaliate. Sometimes a reaction is exactly what aggressors are looking for because they think it gives them power over you, and you don’t want to empower a bully. As for retaliating, getting back at a bully turns you into one – and can turn one mean act into a chain reaction.

A 15-year-old boy died by suicide after relentless cyberbullying, and his parents say the Latin School could have done more to stop it

qb6tfm99y4 — 2023-12-06 21:43:21 UTC

A 15-year-old boy named Nate Bronstein was enrolled at one of the most prestigious private schools in Chicago and had a promising future — that is, until his parents say he became a victim of relentless cyberbullying by his classmates. Nate took his own life. And of the school, Rose added, "It's a toxic culture – so toxic that we lost our son from it." But he was bullied by his classmates to the point that he didn't want to live to see his future. One of those Snapchats, according to the lawsuit, encouraged Nate to kill himself. Another used a phrase that's understood to be an indirect death threat. The dean listened, but took no disciplinary action, according to the filing. And exactly one month later, Nate's father found him hanging from a shower in the bathroom in their home. A noose was tied around his neck.

Why Cyberbullying Occurs

qb6tfm99y4 — 2023-12-06 21:47:21 UTC

When it comes to cyberbullying, they are often motivated by anger, revenge or frustration. Sometimes they do it for entertainment or because they are bored and have too much time on their hands and too many tech toys available to them. Many do it for laughs or to get a reaction. Some do it by accident, and either send a message to the wrong recipient or didn't think before they did something. The Power-hungry do it to torment others and for their ego. Revenge of the nerd may start out defending themselves from traditional bullying only to find that they enjoy being the tough guy or gal. Mean girls do it to help bolster or remind people of their own social standing. And some think they are righting wrong and standing up for others.

Cyberbullying Tragedy

qb6tfm99y4 — 2023-12-06 21:47:56 UTC

Cyberbullying and Harassment of Influencers and Celebrities

qb6tfm99y4 — 2023-12-06 21:52:53 UTC

When considering the impacts of cyberbullying and harassment, we usually tend to think of emotionally vulnerable teenagers. While they are certainly a key victim demographic of cyberbullies and online harassers, they are not the only ones affected. In fact, recent studies demonstrate that cyberbullying and harassment of influencers and celebrities has become a daily problem. In today’s social media-driven consumer culture, influencers can play a significant part in our lives. They have the power to sway their followers’ opinions, beliefs, and choices. Unfortunately, having a significant public profile also means they not only attract fans and devotees but also trolls and haters.

Cyberbullying Resources

qb6tfm99y4 — 2023-12-06 22:15:46 UTC

STOP BULLYING NOW HOTLINE (USA) 1-800-273-8255

Helpline set up by U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

Stopbullying.gov

provides information from various government agencies regarding bullying, cyberbullying, prevention and response

"I wake up and have been told to kill myself like 30 times already; it's crazy!”

qb6tfm99y4 — 2023-12-07 01:23:45 UTC

Social media can have its downsides -- and no one knows that better than celebrities who have millions of followers. While broadcasting their lives online has almost become part of their job description, it has also opened them to a whole lot of criticism from the public. On Instagram, Twitter and TikTok, anonymous keyboard warriors don't hold back, needlessly subjecting stars to cyberbullying. Thankfully, many of these public figures have figured out a way to cope with the constant trolls -- but at the end of the day, the way these bullies conduct themselves online is completely unacceptable.