Choice of topic/issue:

Cyberbullying among teenagers

Reasons:
We wish to do this topic because Ccyberbullying is a common problem amongst teenagers nowadays and
we hope to control the act of negative behaviours online. We hope to educate all students in Tanjong
Katong Secondary School on how to cope with cyberbullying...

Rationale:
Cyberbullying is the tormenting, humiliating, or harassing of another individual using the Internet, cell
phones, and other types of social media. The problem today is that cyberbullying is on the rise because
everyone has been using social media continuously. According to a 2012 study by Microsoft Company,
Singapore hasd the second highest rate of cyberbullying globally. Furthermore, according to Wired
Safety, a website that encourages people to be safe on the internet in the States, Singapore has the
highest incidence of Internet bullying and cyberbullying, right after the United States.

Cyberbullying occurs mostly in social networking sites, like Facebook, and video sharing sites, like
YouTube. As a result, there has been an increase in reports of cyberbullying on social networking sites
and video sharing sites. In addition, instant messaging and texting also appear to be other common ways
in which youths are harassing their victims others. There areis a large variety of ways the victims can be
bullied online. A few examples are creating or altering photos in a suggestive manner, continually sending
the victim hateful messages, rallying a larger group of people to humiliate someone, and spreading false
rumours in order to hurt or embarrass the target. Even newer than social networking; video sharing,
texting and instant messaging , in portable gaming devices, 3-D virtual worlds and social gaming sites,
and newer interactive sites such as Formspring and ChatRoulette, are platforms for cyberbullying to
happen

In recent years, there have been some infamous cyber-bullying cases that have been featured in in the
news regarding cyberbullying. These stories bring to light the wide-ranging impact of cyberbullying and
other forms of digital harassment, and how cyberbullying is becoming more rampant as time passes.
Nowadays, Here are a few examples: online predators are using an online games to find a victims,
groups of childrenkids and adults harassing an individual with tragic results, such as the Myspace suicide
of Megan Meier. Singapore has also had its fair share of such incidents. For example, the story of a girl
who endured verbal taunts and online harassment via blogs for more than six months. The cyber bullying
lasted more than six months, and it was not until the student faked an illness to stay away from school
that her mother realized the extent of her poor treatment.

A survey conducted by The National Council on Crime Prevention found stated that 81% of bullies
neglected the victim’s reaction and take it as a joke, unintentionally hurting them psychotically . Kids or
teens bully because they see hurting others as a way of becoming influential and commanding. At the
same time,T they cannot accept losing to someone weaker than them; therefore, they try to hurt others
through social media. The bullies can remain anonymous onin the internet so the victims will not be able
to know who they are. This requires less courage to face the victims person-to-personface-to-face,thus
also resulting in the providing illusion that bullies will noton’t get caught. Hence, the bullies could be
anyone or even the people you will least not expect.

Bullies might bully due to social pressure. They may think their behaviour is normal and socially
acceptable, especially when friends encourage them to do so. Less socialable teens may become the
bully too as it helps them to cope with their own low self-esteem, thinking it will help them fit in with their
peers and they have trouble empathizing with those they hurt. Nerds are usually the victims as they are
very enthusiastic and anxious, wanting to impress the teachers. They also get the best grades in exams
and tests. This could irritate the rest and cause them to target these nerds.

The effects of cyberbullying may not be noticeable at first, but the stress factor builds up over time. Many
students experiencing cyber bullying feel alone and scared. In most instances, cyberbullying does not
start online, but in person. The situation then escalates . Some signs of cyberbullying victims could be
skipping of lessons, a sharp drop in grades and sudden self-esteem issues. Complaints of illnesses and
use of alcohol or drugs could be the consequences of being too stressed. Kids being the victims are likely
to experience, anxiety, depression, loneliness, unhappiness, poor sleep. Many victims feel the need to
conceal the fact that they are being bullied because they are embarrassed and afraid of further bullying.
They may act anxious and appear less confident than before, becoming quieter in class and the bullying
can become a hindrance on their academic success, hence becoming a significant hurdle in a child’s
development. In eExtreme cases, it may even cause the victims to be suicidal. and take their own lives.

How do we prevent cyberbullying?

Firstly, mMake the most of privacy settings: Investigate what measures you can take to keep content
private on the websites you use. On Facebook and other social networking sites, you can adjust your
settings so that only the people you select are able to see your personal information and posts. It is
important to check these privacy settings frequently, because sites sometimes change their policies.

Secondly, tThink before you post: Never forget that the internet is public. What you put out there can
never be erased. If you wouldn’t say something in a room full of strangers, don’t say it via internet. Even
letting someone know sensitive or embarrassing information about you via email can have unforeseen
consequences.

Lastlty, kKeep personal information personal: Do not reveal identifying details about yourself—address,
phone number, school, credit card number, etc.—online. Passwords exist for a reason; sharing them with
friends is like passing out copies of your house key to friends and strangers alike. If anyone besides you
knows your passwords, it should be your parents and your parents only.

Other preventive measures and laws have been introduced to help deal with the ill effects of cyber-
bullying.There has been some action taken against cyber-bullying. Talks are being held in schools on
prevention of cyberbullying and campaigns are held to spread awareness on cyberbullying like
#DeleteCyberbullying, Cybersmile, etc. There have also been new laws to combat the high rise of
cyberbullying incidents. Measures would be taken against crimes such as: cyber harassment; an act of
posting nasty or hurtful comments about people on a website, unlawful stalking; defined as conduct that
causes harassment, alarm or distress to a victim, with that intention on the part of the stalker. Harassment
and bullying within and outside of the workplace are now also covered. Offences committed outside
Singapore are covered, if the overseas offender commits acts of cyber stalking against a victim in
Singapore. Victims can now sue for damages or apply to the Court for a protection order. The act applies
to children too, and education about the legal repercussions of cyber bullying will be rolled out in schools.
However, we feel that these measures are not enough to prevent cyberbullying from happening.
Why raising awareness will help?

Raising awareness would help teenagers to identify what are cyberbullying and the negative impacts
cyber-bullying has effects of it so as to prevent such cases from happening.to happen. These can assist
these teenagers in coping with current cyberbullying and for future use. Raising awareness can touched
into more people and benefit many more.

Sources:
http://nobullying.com/what-are-the-causes-of-bullying/
http://www.osteopathic.org/osteopathic-health/about-your-health/health-conditions-library/general-
health/Pages/cyber-bullying.aspx
http://nobullying.com/is-cyber-bullying-more-common-with-girls/
https://vulcanpost.com/16725/students-singapore-victims-cyber-bullying/
http://nobullying.com/singapore-2nd-worldwide-in-cyberbullying-searches-on-google/
http://nobullying.com/the-effects-of-cyber-bullying/
http://www.expatliving.sg/kids/growing_up/Cyber-bullying-in-Singapore-Guide-to-new-online-laws-
53840.ece
http://www.endcyberbullying.org/where-does-cyberbullying-commonly-occur/
http://nobullying.com/new-law-takes-on-cyberbullying-in-singapore/