Cyber bullying going viral

Suddenly a teenager stops using a cell-phone, doesn't wish to go online, cries for no reason, has no desire to go to school or even out of the house.

Technology has developed a new version of bullying called cyber bullying, affecting millions of people around the world. Cyber bullying may not cause any physical damage; however, it may affect a person's self esteem, confidence and overall psychological well-being. With all the other electronic devices such as cell phones, instant messaging, blogs, e-mails, and texting serving as a medium of communication, cyber bullying is not limited to the Internet.

According to the United States Computer Emergency Readiness Team, tracing harassers is more difficult since there is no anonymity and no personal contact online. Therefore, it is easier for some bullies to be more vicious and brutal. Making fun of someone is now not only between small groups of friends, but all those who have access to the internet or to any other technological devices.

California State University, Stanislaus, is taking some steps to help students and victims to be aware, face and understand cyber bullying.

When adults bully children or teenagers online, it is called cyber stalking. Cyber bullying unlike real life bullying may occur throughout the day because bullies have access to the internet and other technological devices all day, seven days a week.

Pao Hang, a psychology student at CSU Stanislaus claims heavy amounts of online is causing people to blur their own self-identity.

"Sometimes it is hard for people to distinguish their online identity and their offline identity," Hang said. "This makes it easier for cyber bullying to penetrate the victim's psychological system."

Many victims do not report what they are going through for different reasons. The threats, harassments and embarrassments may result in serious health problems such as depression and in some cases it may lead to death.

"Cyber bullied youth also report having suicidal thoughts, and there have been a number of examples in the United States where youth who were victimized ended up taking their own lives," confirmed associate professor at Florida Atlantic University, Dr. Sameer Hinduja and associate professor at the University of Wisconsin‐Eau Claire, Dr. Justin W. Patchin (www.cyberbullying.us, 2010.)

CSU Stanislaus, Criminal Justice professor, Dr. Chau-Pu Chiang will be conducting a study that includes a section on cyber bullying during the fall semester of 2011. The comparative study will be focused on American and Taiwanese college students.

I believe cyber bullying is more common than we thought and it sometimes causes more harm to victims than the real life bullying," Chiang said. "I certainly hope that there is something that we can do to prevent it and that is one of the reasons why we are doing the research."

Cyber bullying has become a major concern and many teenagers and young adults are suffering and dealing with the consequences of a man made communication weapon, cyber bullying.

CSU Stanislaus offers psychological counseling services to students and provides workshops and consultations as well as ethical and confidential counseling. For more information call (209) 667-3381 or go to www.csustan.edu/counseling.

The Associate Student Inc. of CSU Stanislaus is holding a Cyber Bullying Awareness Day on Sept. 21 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the quad. Participants will be introduced to cyber bullying and the negative consequences it has on today's young adults and teenagers. There will be activities and games, as well a chance to enter to win an anti-bullying kit.