Since Cyberbullying has become such a big topic, I decided
to write a blog entry to address it, specifically in higher education, although
not limited to this audience.
In a recent 2015 study
entitled An Overview of Cyberbullying in Higher Education, the author
states that “electronic media provide people a new environment to misuse
technology and anonymously bully others, anywhere, and at all times”
(Washington, 2015).
Cyberbullying can take on many forms. It can include text messages, emails, photos,
videos, and any other form of media. I would consider cyberbullying to be a
major social issue of the digital age. In terms of higher education, the author
states that “College students who have been cyberbullied have committed
suicide, dropped out, or endured torment while in school” (Washington, 2015).
This is a very scary and sad reality to me.
Bullying in schools has always been an issue or concern, but with the
introduction of the Internet and technology, it has been drastically increased
and exposure/impact has been broadened.
The author of this study also touches on bullying in the
workplace and how often this occurs, even with adults in the workplace. The
article details three recent incidents of cyberbullying. Although I didn’t go into detail of these specific
incidents in this blog entry, they are worth reading.
Cyberbullying is really a
very sad reality of our time, and something that I don’t see going away. Much like drugs or alcohol in school and in
the workplace, I think the only way to address this topic is through a zero-tolerance
type program. According to the author “These
three incidents underscore the importance of higher education institutions in
contemporary society knowing about cyberbullying and the impact of
cyberbullying on college students. This article provides an overview of
traditional bullying which may predicate cyberbullying, cyberbullying in higher
education, cyberbullying and the law, and recommendations and implications for
adult learning” (Washington, 2015).
I found this to be an interesting topic to research. Since it is such a “new” topic, all the
research and studies are relatively new as well. General awareness of cyberbulling seems to be
a main focus in trying to contain and manage it. Also, it seems that although
bullying was always considered a playground issue in elementary school, it is
now a widespread act that can impact anyone, at any age, anywhere.
According to another study addressing the prevention of
cyberbullying,, The author states that “Cyberbullying may be one of the
“diseases” of the 21th Century. Despite efforts to curtail its incidence and
prevalence over the past 20 years, its direct and indirect harmful effects have
made it a public concern about the wellbeing of children, adolescents, and
adults” (Chisholm, 2014). The author addresses means of prevention and recommends
legislations on bullying as well as education campaigns as ways to curtail the growing
issue (Chisholm, 2014).
References
Chisholdm, J. March, 2014. Journal of Information Systems
Education, Vol. 25(1) Spring 2014. Review of the Status of Cyberbullying and
Cyberbullying Prevention. Retrieved July 30, 2015. http://eds.b.ebscohost.com.library.esc.edu/eds/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?vid=3&sid=77160333-49b7-4d8d-a43c-989a31d736bb%40sessionmgr110&hid=119
Washington, E. Feb. 2015. An Overview of Cyberbullying in
Higher Education. Retrieved July 30, 2015. http://eds.b.ebscohost.com.library.esc.edu/eds/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?sid=77160333-49b7-4d8d-a43c-989a31d736bb%40sessionmgr110&vid=2&hid=119
No comments:
Post a Comment