Pro/Con Subtopic - Cyber Bullying: Instant Messaging/Chat Rooms

Over the past decade, technology has really progressed in dramatic ways. 10 years ago, there were no iPhones, iPod's, HD televisions, 3D movies, touchscreen devices, or GPS systems. In truth our society revolves around media, in fact, we depend on it. We depend on it to show us the weather for the day, to give directions to our destination, to inform us about the news around the globe and mainly to communicate with others. One popular way to talk to friends or family is online, through instant messaging. This method of communication is especially favored by teenagers, who use it to have a quick conversation with friends. Reasons why this is so popular is because one; most IM accounts are free (for ex. AOL instant messenger), two; it’s a fast and easy way to update friends on anything, and three; EVERYONE has one, making it a big influence on peers because “it’s the in thing”. Though this new discovery may seem as if it’s safe and harmless, it can also be a dangerous place for young people to communicate. I would understand why parents would feel the need to constantly monitor their child’s use of technology, trying to prevent them from cyber bullying. But invading their personal space is not going to do them much good. It agitates teens, making them feel like they’re being harassed and can’t be trusted. It just pushes them further away from what parents want to happen. Therefore, parents should educate their children about the dangers of cyber bullying, rather than monitor constantly at all times.

Not too long after instant messaging, chat rooms were invented. The difference between IM and chat rooms are that chat rooms are open conversations with anyone around the world while in instant messaging, to talk to someone you must have tan account on that site and be "buddies" with them. The danger of chat rooms is that its unsure of who they are really talking to. The person could say that they're 16 when in reality, they're a 42-year-old pedophile. The internet is full of online stalkers and predators. Parents should firmly, yet calmly explain this to their kids and warn them about the dangers of the internet.

Cyber bullying is 100% preventable, teenagers just need the right information by an authority about how to protect themselves from being a target and what not to send/say online. Yes, this would be common sense but there's a lot of pressure being put on them. When they are vulnerable, they could be easily persuaded into doing something they will regret. Statistics show that kids as young as 4th graders are being cyber bullied online, 49% of which are bullied through instant messaging and 56% on chat rooms. If parents could do some research on the background of cyber bullying and share it with their children, there is a better chance of those kids avoiding these situations.

It's definitely not an easy task talking to a teenager about internet safety, especially in today's society which practically revolves around technology. But that shouldn't stop parents from having a conversation with their child in this important matter. If anything, it should push parents to educate them even more because of the influences that the media has on them. To inform their child successfully, like any teacher, parents must know their topic. They should have statistics, read about incidents that happened to teens across the nation, what sites aren't safe to go on and information about how dangerous the internet can be. They must also be understanding and compassionate towards their kids, let them know that as parents, they are on their side.

Cyber bullying is a widespread epidemic all around the globe. It's caused a lot of pain and hurt to many adolescents, pushing them to feel depressed, self-concious, injure themself, or even commit suicide. No child should ever have to feel bad about themselves, nobody has the right to make them feel that way. Teenagers would be so much safer browsing online if they were educated by their parents about what not to do, rather than to be watched like hawks. It would still give them space for their personal lives, but they would know their boundaries.


Bibliography:
-http://safety.lovetoknow.com/Cyber_Bullying_Statistics
-http://isafe.org/channels/sub.php?ch=op&sub_id=media_cyber_bullying
-http://www.stopcyberbullying.org/parents/instant_messaging_101.html
-http://www.netsmartz.org/safety/statistics.htm#fiveyears