With the continuous advancement of technology, society has evolved and adapted - not a day goes by without using

the internet, mobile phones and other electronic communication devices. Therefore, it is not surprising that bullying has progressed in the form of cyber bullying a term defined as the constant, deliberate harassment and intimidation via electronic means. This can include social networking sites such as Facebook, Twitter and MSN. Text messages, blogging, chat forums and YouTube are also mediums for cyber-bullying. Compared with face-to-face bullying, cyber bullying can prove to be more destructive. For example, research has shown that since 2011, 79% of teenagers own a smartphone that gives them unlimited access to the internet. 83% have their own exclusive laptop. This suggests cyber-bullying is far more difficult to escape, especially as statistics indicate teenagers spend most of their free time online. Given that electronic communication allows messages and pictures to be sent instantly and to multiple recipients, the effects of cyber bullying can be ten times more devastating. In some cases, the victim cannot remove these nasty texts or humiliating images once transmitted. Victims of cyber-bullying also tend to suffer in their schooling. Mr Clarke, Headmaster of Croswell Secondary School, stated that students who experience cyber-bullying have a higher number of absences because they are so reluctant to be at school. This causes much disruption in their education and school work, which can potentially harm their career aspirations. The seriousness of cyber-bullying has been further highlighted in several news reports, in which victims have eventually committed suicide. For example, 13-year old Erin Gallagher constantly received spiteful and cruel texts for a month before she lost her spirit and decided she no longer deserved to live. We must realise that words have the power to hurt, particularly with teenagers, as they are still going through a period of exploring their identity and place in society.

Consequently, they are more likely to be emotionally sensitive to anything that attacks their self-image. For this reason, cyber bullying can lead to teenagers becoming depressed and having low selfesteem. In light of neuroscientific evidence, which shows adolescents are more prone to making risky decisions, teenagers are likely to use alcohol and drugs as a way of coping i.e. escape reality and their emotional pain. There is no denying that cyber bullying is a severe issue, however this does not necessarily mean that social networking sites have to be shut down. Electronic communication devices themselves should not be blamed for the cause of cyber bullying bullying in any form has always been a result of mans cruelty. Therefore, rather than banning social network sites, more precautions should instead be taught to teenagers on how to protect themselves. For example, online social networks have privacy and account settings which allow the user to control what other people sees and posts along with blocking prospective cyber-bullies. Chat forums and YouTube now have spam and report buttons so that cyber-bullying can be identified and moderated. Furthermore, there are ways to contact the sites administrator if you wish to remove a specific message or image. There is no doubt that cyber-bullying is becoming more widely known, and as such, new online applications are taking firmer steps to ensure ways to block such a threat. People who are verbally tormented through mobile texts have the option to block the bullys phone number. Alternatively, they may also want to change their number completely, although they must then only give out their mobile number to those they trust. Most psychologists agree that cyber-bullying is a form of emotional abuse and therefore individuals who are less resilient are more likely to be affected and are at a greater risk of self-harming. There are ways to help such people, for example there are many online self-help groups e.g. help.com. If

for some reason the victim cannot rely on their friends and family for support, they can always talk to their school guidance counsellor. Many schools are now recognising the pervasive impact cyber-bullying can have and are now teaching students that words can only be as hurtful as you make them out to be. Schools are also taking responsibility to monitor students online usage and preventing access to sites that are inappropriate. Although cyber-bullying is a serious risk, the Youth Risk Behaviour Surveillance Survey (2011) reported 16% of students were affected by cyber-bullying, which is minor compared with the global scale in which people use social networking sites and other electronic tools. Electronic social media allows for long-distance communication, event planning, instant access to information, exchange of pictures and videos at minimum cost. It would be highly impractical and disadvantageous if such a commodity was banned. Therefore, the solution is to devise ways to tackle cyber-bullying effectively without damaging the interest of wider society.

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