Curbing Cyberbullying: A Battle Against Freedom of Speech

Sacrificing the “Freedom of Speech” for Cyberbullies

In the recent years, technology has changed the world. We have discovered new diseases and viruses, and found cures and remedies for them. We have made technology to go into and research outer space and its resources. We have even made devices that can fit in a normal persons pocket and can text, call, post, tweet, or message anyone from anywhere! But this recent boom in technology has created a new battlefront for bullies. Now, Bullies can post or comment hateful words or embarrassing photos on social media. The effects are much worse than most forms of bullying , because the amount of people who can see it is so much more online than in person. Now, bullies can argue against prosecution by saying that they have the right of the first amendment. Cyberbullies should be punished for cyberbullying because it

hurts the victim, it normally hurts the bully, and

Obviously, a victim of cyberbullying is normally hurt while being cyberbullied.

Along with the usual low self esteem, cyberbullying victims can feel lonely, sad, angry, frustrated, or a combination of them. These feelings can lead to suicide, like in the case of Megan Meier, along with murder/manslaughter, or physically injuring someone badly. Teens cyberbullied can also find relief from the hate through drugs and alcohol, which is normally illegal for most teens. Constantly, the already injured victim has a lot more ways to hurt themselves that might seem good at the time because of cyberbullying. If we don't use the 1st amendment to prosecute cyberbullies, the bullying would most likely be stopped. But if the bullies do use the 1st amendment so they do not get in trouble, the bullying could still be going on. And, most bullies don't just bully one person in their lifetime. This means that more and more people can and will be bullied if we don't stop them. Megan Meier committed suicide after being harassed online by her friends mom after she created a fake social media account and embarrassed her

online.
Along with the bullying victim, Cyberbullying can also hurt the bully.Most bullies have been bullied or are being bullied. this cycle will keep on happening if we don't stop it. We need to help the bullies along with the victims, because most likely they are going through hard times too. Bullies can start to do other bad things, to seem even more “Mature” and fit in with the crowd they hang out with. Cyberbullies can resort to drugs, alcohol, and other reckless things that might not even be legal.
Contrary to commentary knowledge, bullying people can hurt others that are not the victim or the bully. For example, friends of victims of bullying have confessed to feeling bad about themselves because they didn't stop the bullying. The same goes for the bullies friends too. Also, teachers, guards, and other adults may feel like that they do not do good enough to stop the bullying, that can end up into pression and other things.
Why sacrifice the first Amendment for bullying? The answer is as clear as “Why stop people from harm from others and themselves.”. WE should stop bullying because it hurts the victim, the bully, and te others involved with the incident.