Are you an IMPACT?

Is your world full of nothing?
Or are you the cause of another’s emptiness?

I just read the most disturbing post, 8 Infamous Cases of Cyber-Bullying.  I have heard that cyber-bullying is a huge issue, but have honestly never looked into the tragic outcomes until stumbling upon this blog that racked up 192 “Diggs”.  Cyber-bullying goes beyond the high school drama of who is dating who; social isolation, public humiliation and malicious gossip have long been the stock in trade of bullies. The “hobby” has become a core cause of suicide, coin phrased as “cyberbullycide”. One third of children are victims of cyber-bullying – that is 33%!  Dr. Justin W. Patchin and Dr. Sameer Hinduja believe that the most important fact they found in their research is that five percent of the youth interviewed are scared for their safety, not just emotionally upset.

“The world would be better off without you.” This is the message Megan Meier received from the boy she liked, but really it was a peer and her mother! Megan took this last message to heart before she hung herself twenty minutes later. This is one of the eight stories noted in the blog stated above. Seriously check it out. At the least it will remind you to think before you speak!

With the impact it has made, how can cyber-bullying continue to exist and expand? One word: ANONYMITY. Like the cowards they are they hide behind their computers. Unfortunately the internet is fair game and there is no magic formula to block the predators from their prey. Overcomebullying.org suggests the following steps to take if cyber-bullying is a personal issue or someone you know afraid to speak up:

1.       Do not respond to cyber-bully’s attacks.

2.       Don’t delete information related to the cyber-bullying.

3.       Report the cyber-bullying to ISP (internet, instant messaging, or mobile phone provider), police, and schools.

4.       Be aware of what your child is doing on the internet.

5.       PAY ATTENTION to any unusual behavior, and ask questions!

“A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives.” – Jackie Robinson

What are your thoughts on cyber-bullying? Do you think there are ways to decrease the issue other than the basic “parental settings”? Most importantly: What is your impact on others?