A Growing Epidemic Of Cyberbullying

Problems created by progress.

Over the last three decades there have been numerous scientific and technological advances, such as personal computers, portable tablets, smart phones, and the internet rapidly growing into the monster it is known as today. While this technical progress was always intended to be for the betterment of mankind it has turned itself into an aid for our destruction as a society. In the genesis computers were originally intended for business use, for example to accurately gather quantitative data for scientist or spreading information between businessmen and doctors alike; but is now being soft pedaled as a device that tells the world what you ate for lunch. Technology and scientific advancements have become a grenade

This type of behavior has become the catalyst for a growing epidemic called cyberbullying. Cyberbullying is when someone harasses or threatens another individual by communicating through their electronic device, rather than face to face. These type of communications before advent of social media, used to be more visible face to face interactions making intervention from another person possible. With the ability to keep secret our actions and the actions of others through this personal interaction online, a problem of internalizing these interactions have occurred. In an article regarding Cyberbullying Dayton Hamele was quoted saying,

“Cyberbullying only takes a push of a button to harm another individual. It is a risk someone is more likely to take when there is no one around to see where it originated from; an easy, sneaky way to cause harm. This bully is faceless, and their victim's unnoticed pressure is unbearable. Old school bullying is easier to catch and prevent. One can step in during the attack, acknowledging the bully and the harm of his/her victim. Cyberbullying spreads rapidly and goes unnoticed often until the victim is

Our understanding of new technology has not progressed to the level that it needs to. Research still needs to be conducted into the psychological and physiological effects of staring listlessly into the screens of phones, tables, and computers. How is technology changing us? Lately, it seems these advancements take aim directly at humanity. The 24-hour news cycle has turned our society into a paranoid, crazed world in which we are scared of our own shadow. We have become addicted to the internet and the power it bestows on us through its relative anonymity. Moreover, the devices in which we all own have helped subsidized the future advancements that are becoming a reality: automation, self-driving cars, self-checkouts, and various other types of robotic automation. The destruction of many middle class, blue collar jobs is right around the corner. Millions of workers will soon be unemployed, entire industries will be rebuilt as something else entirely. All of these problems have arisen in the past 20 or so years, and unless we are able to ask serious questions about how to tackle these issues, our society will be changed forever. Now is the time for action, before it’s too