Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3750 words

Research Paper Example To this effect, cyberbullying may be described as the use of instruments or provisions of information and communication technologies such as cell phones, e-mails, chart rooms, instant messaging and online social forums such as Facebook, WassUp, Skype or Twitter to exact, convey or support harassment, issuance of threats or intimidation of an individual. Some circles in the legal fraternity usually define cyberbullying as the employment of IT-related technologies such as the Internet and a phone or a computer or a computer to harass or harm other people, deliberately, repeatedly and in a hostile manner. Others define cyberbullying as the use of technology to threaten, harass, target or embarrass another person. The latter definition is important in understanding aspects [particularly, the objectives] of cyberbullying. The only flaw in it is the wide qualification of technology. While technology is wide-ranging, cyberbullying is only specific to IT technology. In a closely related wave length, cyberbullying occurs among young people. In the event that adults are involved, it is more fitting to describe the act of using IT technology to harass, embarrass, threaten or target another individual as cyber-stalking or cyber-harassment. In respect to the foregoing, it is most sound and safer from controversy, to define and describe cyberbullying as the use of IT technology by a child or a teenager to harass, embarrass, threaten or target child or teenager. The Reality of the Threat of Cyberbullying Although majority of the US and the world’s population is convinced about the dangers of cyberbullying, yet there is general ignorance on the magnitude of this threat. The magnitude of the threat at hand is underscored by several programs and activities which the US government has sanctioned in response to the danger of cyberbullying. One of these programs is the Be safe and Sound in School program, which aims at improving the safety and security of the American nationà ¢â‚¬â„¢s schools through the mobilization of parents, elected officials, school administrators, policymakers and students. There is also a federal government-run website which is under the management of the US Department of Health and Human Services, Washington D.C. The website provides resources on cyberbullying and the conventional form of bullying and avails necessary tools, publications and training, as a way of preparing children against cyberbullying and bullying. There is also the New Cyberbullying Resource for Victim Service Providers and the New Cyberbullying Tip Sheet. That the US would go the length to form these agencies as a way of countering cyberbullying and bullying is telling on the prevalence of cyberbullying in America. As if the provisions of cyberbullying above are not enough, statistical provisions from the i-SAFE foundation continue to underscore the prevalence of cyberbullying. According to statistical provisions from i-SAFE, more than half of teenagers and a dolescents