Cyber-Bullying and Teen Suicide

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Since Teen Suicide is the second leading cause of teenage death in the United States, there is a need for legislation that promotes awareness and education about Cyber-Bullying.

by

R. Hassan

February 8, 2011

Fourth Period

Mr. Cicala

Robinson Secondary School

Since Teen suicide is the second leading cause of teenage death in the United States, there is a need for legislation that promotes awareness and education about Cyber-Bullying. Due to the growth of technology in the American society, the younger generations of adolescents are adapting to the excessive use of computers, cell phones, and social-networking sites. According to a study done by Amanda Lenhart, 87% of adolescents who are between the ages of 12 and 17 are using the internet on a daily basis (Trolley, Shields, and Hanel, “Demystifying and Deescalating Cyber Bullying in the Schools”).With these numbers increasing across the nation, the numbers of adolescents being harassed through technology means is growing as well. The relationship between cyber bullying and teenage suicide has been named “cyber bullycide”. Studies show that 1/3 of teenagers who have used the internet have stated that they have received threatening or offensive messages either through text, e-mail, IM, and other technology related programs. In 2007 The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention officially labeled “electronic aggression” being cyber bullying as an “emerging public health problem” (Billitteri 387).

Traditional bullying that used to occur commonly on school-grounds has now been over shadowed by harassment through the Internet and other technology related devices. According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary “cyber bullying” is defined as ...

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Colt. James P. "Cyber Bullying Case Raises Questions about Privacy Laws: Background." Issues: Understanding Controversy and Society. ABC-CLIO, 2011. Web. 6 Feb. 2011.

Greenya, John. "Bullying." CQ Researcher 4 Feb. 2005: 101-24. Web. 10 Jan. 2011.

McQuade, Samuel C. "research on cybercrime." Issues: Understanding Controversy and Society. ABC-CLIO, 2011. Web. 21 Jan. 2011

"Obama Pushes 'Zero Tolerance' for Online Harassment." PC Magazine Online 15 Oct. 2010. General OneFile. Web. 21 Jan. 2011.

Trolley, Barbara, Linda Shields, and Constance Hanel. Demystifying and Deescalating Cyber Bullying in the Schools: A Resource Guide for Counselors, Educators, and Parents. Print.

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