Social Media and Cyberbullying

670 Words2 Pages

Social media has changed the way people communicate with each other and in turn, has affected our ability to empathize in both negative and positive ways. One of the most harmful consequences is the rise of cyber-bullying, which can be found from a hateful Facebook post by a classmate to anonymous trolling in the comments sections of websites. Some argue that social media is a breeding ground for this type of behavior while others say it would still take place even if you removed the medium.
Thomas J. Billitteri’s “Cyberbullying” sees social media as a cause of bullying and states out of the teenagers using social media, forty percent have a least once claimed to have been cyber bullied. Child advocates view the incivility from television reality shows to the political arena as growing to a point where youth have learned it acceptable to humiliate other people as a form of entertainment. This attitude is commonly found on commentary sections of social media and news websites. The article points out the responsibility social media sites takes in contributing to and preventing cyber-bullying. Working with individual states and law enforcement, Myspace has tried to help to stop harassment and cyber-bullying. Meanwhile, the social media website Juicy Campus was solely made to spread gossip that is hurtful (Billitteri “Cyberbullying”).
In Sarah Nichol’s article “Cyber-Bullying and Trolling”, a view is expressed that social media does not cause bullying. According to Karyn Krawford, online anonymity has little to do with making bullies since most victims already know their attacker. In addition, often in real life, bullies and victims play the same role. As director of Cyborg Australia and expert on cyber psychology, Krawford has st...

... middle of paper ...

...available, which allows him to attend an outstanding university and go on to become a top lawyer. Having the power and the education needed, he uses his wealth to start a political career and becomes a senator, an achieved status.
For a third example, a girl is born to a mother who is a drug addict and is placed into the state system. Her ascribed status is foster child. Over time, she is shifted in and out of homes and state institutions. She never finds the support and encouragement needed to obtain an education or give her the self-esteem to make more out of herself. At eighteen, she is turned out on her own with no real resources to find a quality job or place to live. To make money she begins to steal and resale the items. Her achieved status becomes one of criminal.

Works Cited

Macionis, John J. Society: The Basics. 12th ed. Boston: Pearson, 2013. Print.

Open Document