Cell Phone Texting – Dangers of Cyberbullying
The Dangers Of Cell Phone Texting
In today’s modern world, children are starting to use technology earlier and earlier. There are very few eight year olds who do not know how to send an email, check a profile on FaceBook, or send a text message. They are often teaching the adults in their lives how to text messages.
Before the wide use of cell phones, bullying typically began to escalate around the third grade, peaking by about eighth grade and tapering off in high school. Those of us who do research and interviews on this subject, find it now starts earlier and lasts much longer.
Cell phone texting and online messages make it easier to cyberbully. Parents need to learn how to deal with this issue.
Cell Phones and Cyberbully
The combination of cyberspace, availability of cell phone and the internet and vulnerable children can be a recipe for disaster. Cell phone texting is one of the things that cyber bullies are using to harm those who they dislike or want to humiliate.
Cyberbullying may carry cruelty to new extremes. Because of the immediacy of cell phones teens who are in a bad mood may post a message they later regret.
There are those who use the cell phone as a weapon to taunt, tease and torture others. Blasting is a phrase that has been used to describe a “blast” of private information posted online and passed around to a large group of followers.
Sexual Predators Are Looking For Victims
Bullies and sexual predators are taking advantage of these venues to target the younger generation. Everyone knows that young people are very adept at texting.
And while at one time words and fists were used to threaten those that were disliked, now bullies are turning to cell phones and computers as their secret weapons. And these are more effective at causing harm and humiliation than anyone ever dreamed of.
Adults Need To Learn About The Dangers
One of the scariest things about cyber bullying is that it is hard for parents or other authorities to see or recognize. While a threatening scene in the school hall or cafeteria could have been visible to many, threatening texts are personal and only seen by the person to whom they are sent.
They may leave a child or teen frightened, vulnerable and emotionally scarred.
Empower Youth To Hit Delete
Experts say that most teenagers will not admit to receiving unfriendly or threatening texts because of fear and pride.
They do not want mommy coming to school to back them up; that would be embarrassing and make them more prone to humiliation. And perhaps they are afraid of being hurt if they tell someone.
More young people carry cell phones than ever before, and concern over text messaging safety is becoming more important. There are a few guidelines that should be followed to help keep teenagers safe.
Talk Often To Teens
They should never text personal information such as address, full name, or any other information or pictures that could lead a predator to them. Parents should also make sure that they talk to their children regularly about cyber bullying.
And if a situation becomes serious or threatening messages are sent, the authorities should be notified.
The more open the lines of communication between generations of caring adults, the more likely they are to report any issues.
You can do it, I have confidence in you.
Tags: cell phone, cyberbully, effects of bullying
