Essay Example on Cyberbullying: Analysis and Critical Interpretation

Introduction

Despite the positive aspects of technology in the learning sectors, it has also led to an increase in the negative aspects of cyberbullying, including cyberbullying cases in classrooms. As an issue, this involves the misuse of information technology with the intent of harassing other individuals; as one of the hot topics in education, this essay analyzes the issue of cyberbullying and a critical interpretation of the same.

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Analysis of the Issue

Description of the Issue

Cyber-bullying has become a burning issue globally and manifests in different forms. It has been conceptualized as the use of the internet, among other forms of digital communication to make insults towards other people. It exists as an umbrella term, encompassing all the behaviors and experiences. For instance, individuals can intimidate others through Facebook, WhatsApp groups, chat rooms, among others (Gordon, 2019). Moreover, using technology and other media to spread shaming images and videos are also forms of cyberbullying. As an issue, it creates hostile environments, especially to students in classrooms, preventing quality performance from students.

Parts and Sub-Issues of Cyber-Bullying

Accordingly, cyber-bullying manifests in different forms, where most of the various mediums used in the process include mobile phones and the internet. More importantly, as Betts & Houston (2012) provide, cyber-bullying works both written and verbal forms. Ideally, bullying is the unwanted, aggressive behavior among the school-going children that entails either real or perceived power balance (Steele, 2017). As such, cyber-bullying is, therefore, a problem that has led to the decline of the students' performance in the classroom and their external life.

Cyberbullying among children in different educational institutions occurs due to some of the children finding weak characters and vulnerable aspects to their classmates. Therefore, bullies are usually the children who take advantage of other vulnerable children, making them victims. However, as Gordon (2019) claims, these victims may sometimes get angry and decide to revenge back, hence creating a bully-victim cycle.

The history of cyber-bullying is not too old since its origin can be traced back to the introduction of the internet. The arrival and rise of the internet and the other digital networks in the late 90s led to a significant alteration of communication and interaction. This has led to the realization that despite the immense benefits of the internet, it also creates several concerns due to its misuse and abuse. And as a cost of the society ignoring this problem, it could result in depression, isolation, anger, humiliation, and illnesses. The society, specifically school-going children, should, therefore, endeavor to solve cyber-bullying by failing to respond to the bullies, save the evidence and report them, reach out for help as well protect their accounts effectively (Limber, Kowalski & Agatston, 2018).

Critique of the Issue

Cyber-bullying has an array of problems that affect classrooms and victims in general. For instance, students in a classroom can sink into depression, anxiety, as well as stress-related conditions. Consequently, bullying may erode their self-confidence and self-esteem and affect their performance in general (Faryadi, 2011). Victims of cyber-bullying may eventually feel an intense feeling of dissatisfaction with their selves and, as such, doubt their worth or value. This increases their lack of interest in attending or contributing in classes, a fact that further reduces their performance immensely. Additionally, the issue is also problematic because students in a classroom as victims will always feel overwhelmed. The stress of dealing with the issue, along with their studies, can make the victims feel like the situation is more than they could be able to handle.

Moreover, cyberbullying among students in classrooms is also known for the disturbance of the peace of mind that may extend to self-harm, including suicide. This is because all the insults and negative comments about the victims may create a sense of inferiority from the rest of the classmates and may lead to dropouts (Faryadi, 2011). Furthermore, it also results in insecurities and complexes and therefore damages their self-images and reputation.

Personal Experience to Issue

I can attest that I relate to cyber-bullying as a past victim while in schooling years. I have always struggled with a weight issue, the fact that other students used it as a vulnerability to bully me. At some point, one of my photos was circulated in almost the entire school with negative comments and insults. What was even more painful was that the bully started within my classroom and further spread across the whole school through chat groups and social media. As a result, the issue made me feel isolated and alone since most of my friends no longer wanted to be associated with me. The experience was so humiliating because, at that age, friends were a crucial factor in one's life. Therefore, I was forced to cut communications with the rest of my classmates and, at times, failed to attend classes. This consequently, deteriorated my performance significantly.

References

Gordon, S. (2019). The Real-Life Effects of Cyberbullying on Children. Verywell Family. Retrieved 10 July 2020, from https://www.verywellfamily.com/what-are-the-effects-of-cyberbullying-460558.

Betts, L. R., & Houston, J. E. (2012). The effects of cyberbullying on Children's school adjustment. In Educational stages and interactive learning: From kindergarten to workplace training (pp. 209-230). IGI Global. https://www.igi-global.com/chapter/effects-cyberbullying-children-school-adjustment/63065

Steele, A. (2017). The Psychological Effects of Bullying on Kids & Teens. Masters In Psychology Guide, https://mastersinpsychologyguide.com/articles/psychological-effects-bullying-kids-teens/

Limber, S., Kowalski, R., & Agatston, P. (2018). Tips to Help Stop Cyberbullying | ConnectSafely. Connectsafely.org. Retrieved 10 July 2020, from https://www.connectsafely.org/tips-to-help-stop-cyberbullying/.

Faryadi, Q. (2011). Cyberbullying and academic performance. Online Submission, 1(1), 23-30. https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED574784.pdf