Mary:
ABORTION?
INSANE ASSILUM?
MULTIPLE SEX PARTNERS?
CARLOS?
RYAN?
THAT SPANISH DUDE?
no thanks, i’m not bitter. Its ok we all know ur crazy, so i don’t blame you for your actions. all is forgiven hunny.
Imagine receiving a message like this randomly during your daily routine. This was only the beginning of the messages received by Susan.
Cyber bullying takes place when electronic devices come into play such as phones, tablets and computers. These bullying techniques include mean text or emails, rumors sent by email or posted on any social media sites, embarrassing pictures, videos, or fake profiles.
The messages continued to be sent to Susan and they became more and more heart-piercing messes like this to Mary:
“I’d rather be fat & have tits than look like a cancer patient. Oh & it’s kinda hard to be orange when you don’t spray tan. Oh & remember all those times you told me I was so beautiful, like at the roxxy? I do…So you can go ahead & say I’m ugly now out of spite but I know how you really feel, baby killer.
Oh & threaten me again watch what happens. But I expected that anyways….You know people at bloom? Do it yourself.
I’m waiting…”
There are ways to prevent cyber bullying like learning to recognize cyber bullying, figuring out when it began and what is causing it. This could lead to finding out a way to end the torment. Ignoring and blocking the bully is a great way to get rid of them. Bullies thrive on reaction and they are seeking your attention. By receiving your attention they are only becoming stronger.
Susan at first responded to these horrible messages and only fed the ego of the harasser, which drove her to send more awful messages such as
“Mary: are u getting married cuz ur prego again? don’t kill this one.”
Susan finally started to not respond and eventually blocked the sender of these crude messages. But the sender made another Facebook to continue messaging Susan. The sender also found a new number to text from to continue the around-the-clock harassment.
When cyber bullying happens, it is important to document and report the behavior so it can be addressed. If the bullying continues you can bring the messages to the authorities and they can take further action. Bullying is a crime and is binging to be treated like one.
It was not until the police became involved did the harassment stop. The sender found out that Susan was planning on suing them for harassment and emotional distress.
Bullying in any form is wrong and should no be taking lightly. It can lead to depression and can cause some to do the unthinkable. Seeing the effects of bullying first hand I know the dramatic affect it can bring. I have lost friends to the results of bullying and I have seen too many families forever devastated because of it.
Susan has not received any messages from the sender or any other senders recently. She is a lot happier now to have those dark and painful days of harassment behind her.
It’s sad to know that bullying has becoming into an online-form already. As parents, we should be vigilant with our kids’ activities especially that all these bullying issues are on the rise, leading them to becoming the victims or worse, the bullies themselves. I just read a blog that really stuck me to the core. A mother, writing about her own child’s safety and their heartbreaking experience. This is it: http://www.tsue-thatswhatshesaid.com/2011/08/your-childs-safety-your-piece-of-mind.html