It's 1:30 a.m. and I have Spanish homework left to do so tonight's blog is going to be a bit different. No New York Times and no lengthy post. 

Two words, cyber-bullying. It is defined as "an aggressive, intentional act carried out by a group or individual, using electronic forms of contact, repeatedly and over time against a victim who cannot easily defend him or herself" (Define Cyber-Bullying).


High schools students are preoccupied with a million things: waking up in the morning, picking out clothes, scrambling to get homework done, cramming for tests, getting to classes, and managing a social life. Whenever we get a spare second, we're texting. Whenever we have a few minutes to kill, we're on Facebook. Everything is discrete when it is being shared through texting or laptops. A lack of verbal communication increases the chances of cyber-bullying. According to National Crime Prevention Center, 40% of teenagers reported being bullied online (National Crime Prevention Center). 


I watched a video posted by an organization called A Thin Line (watch it here: Ryan's Story), which was filmed by Frontline. Ryan was a young boy in middle school who experienced excessive cyber-bullying. Students at his school repeatedly insulted him and Ryan was never able to escape. One of his online friends supported Ryan in ending his life.  

The consistent harassment led to Ryan's suicide on October 7, 2003. He was thirteen. His parents never knew the real story until they dug through Ryan's secretive online life, when Ryan's friends spilled the truth.


Cyber-bulling was at an all time high in 2004 with a victimization rate of 40.6%. Today it has decreased to 10.8% (Cyber-bulling Research and Facts).


I think harassment goes unnoticed and untold. Students keep it to themselves, but re-live it every single day. Insults are things people remember. They stick. Being online with friends makes it convenient to say things you'd never say to their face. I have never been cyber-bullied or been aware of anyone who has. I do know that fights between friends are intensified when you can hide behind a text or instant message, instead of being face to face. 

We are shaped by our society, family, school, and friends. Your actions do affect the lives around you. Joking and sarcasm aren't excuses. Make an effort to hesitate before you hit send. Realize your words will have a lasting impact on the people you're talking to, especially negative comments. Understand when you're the victim, you take the words you're told seriously.

Keep your mouth shut if you don't have anything nice to say; it's not that hard.