The Facts

     Dictionary definition of cyber-bullying is the use of information and communication technologies to support the deliberate, repeated, and hostile behavior by an individual or a group, that is intended to harm others. This abuse happens everyday, and with technology advances becoming the norm this notion has also become a normal way to express negative feelings about another individual. No one likes to be bullied, imagine 1000 people attacking you over the internet? Everything is possible over the internet, and with all these chatting tools such as Facebook and Myspace it is very easy to have an ugly encounter with anyone. According to statistics, 21% of kids have received mean or threatening e-mails. Also,not to mention that 56% percent of cyber bullying happens in chat rooms. 

     Here are some more "fun facts" about cyber bullying. Enjoy 

• 42% of kids have been bullied while online. 1 in 4 have had it happen more than once.
• 35% of kids have been threatened online. Nearly 1 in 5 have had it happen more than once.
• 21% of kids have received mean or threatening e-mail or other messages.
• 58% of kids admit someone has said mean or hurtful things to them online. More than 4 out of 10 say it has happened more than once.
• 53% of kids admit having said something mean or hurtful to another person online. More than 1 in 3 have done it more than once.
• 58% have not told their parents or an adult about something mean or hurtful that happened to them online.

     However, there is hope. Because there have been cases of cyber-bullying destroying kids across the U.S. some states have acquired state laws against cyber-bullying. Some states have not made them into full laws, because the process from a simple Bill to an actual law is a long process but the fact that they are taking this problem into consideration is the first step. Granted people's minds may never change but the more people talk about this issue, the more educated someone will be, to avoid making these hurtful comments to another individual.
http://www.isafe.org/channels/sub.php?ch=op&sub_id=media_cyber_bullying
http://www.dosomething.org/tipsandtools/11-facts-about-cyber-bullying


-Sandra-Rachel