User:Cdasilva20/sandbox

Social networking influences children in many ways because the internet is where children spend most of their time. Teenagers today are growing up in a world where social media sites are only a click away. These children have apps on their smart phones that allow them to spread news and information as soon as it happens. Unfortunately, now technology has been advancing, you see an extremely large increase in online bullying.[132] Online bullying, also called cyber-bullying, means voluntary and repeated assaults against a person through electronic means.[132] It’s a relatively common occurrence and it can often result in emotional trauma for the victim. According to a study on cyber bullying, “A report conducted by the Pew Research Center's Internet & American Life Project in 2011 found that 80% of teenage Internet users between 12 and 17 years of age utilize a social networking site, and that 93% of these users had a Facebook account. According to a media poll conducted in 2009, more than 50% of adolescents log onto their favorite social media site more than once a day, and 22% log on to that site more than 10 times a day” (Koops,210,p.517). These statistics show that teenagers spend most their time on the internet which is where they get their gossip and news from and its also were the rumors start. This is due to the fact that there are not many limitations as to what individuals can post when online. Individuals are given the power to post offensive remarks or pictures that could potentially cause a great amount of emotional pain for another individual.[84] The bullying can really effect a child’s development and psychological state depending on the type of bullying. The effects of cyber bullying leaves a far more negative psychological impact on children then face to face bullying. [135] Putting hurtful words on the internet allows more people to see it then a comment said to someone’s face. Social networking sites allows children to post comments, pictures, and videos so quickly and makes it available to the entire world. The internet allows the bullies to embarrass you on a larger scale, which makes it very scary for the victim. Victims of cyber-bullying need to be helped when going through such an emotional time. Adults should be aware of what to do when it takes place. According to New York Times, “Adults want to help teenagers recognize the hurt that is taking place, which often means owning up to victimhood. But this can have serious consequences”(Boyd, 2011, p.35). To make sure the victim of bullying fully heals you want to move them from victimization to empowerment. You want them to feel like they have the control and not feel like they can be taken down by others hurtful words.[131] Sympathize with the victim of bullying but don’t let them drown in their sorrows. The recovery won’t be instant, it will take time and patiences, but don’t give up on them because they need you.[131] To make the victim recover successfully make sure to make them feel empowered, show them the positive side, and don’t let them see themselves as the oppressor. [131] Communication is a key way to ensure your children are not being a victim of cyber bullying. According to the End to Cyber Bullying Organization, over 25% of teens have been bullied repeatedly through text message or the internet and 90% of victims will not inform a parent or trusted adult.[134] These statistic prove that many bullying cases go unnoticed but still have a huge effect on children. Ways to prevent cyber bullying and the rise of these statistics are think before you post, use respective language, keep personal information off social media sites, report cyber bullying when you see it, and don’t give your password out to others. [134] The best way to stop bullying immediately is to report it. When you see cyber bullying happening, do not comment on it or forward it, print it out and keep it as evidence and report it to authorities. Look out for death threats, violence, sexual content, hate crimes, and stalking. These are all very common threats that children are subjected to. Cyber bullying is a serious topic that needs to be made aware of more. Social networks, such as Facebook and Twitter all effect children and have an impact on their psychological development.