Ciberacoso: qué es, sus peligros y cómo prevenirlo

Cyberbullying: Good Morning

Good morning. I’ve been asked to talk about cyberbullying. To start with, I want to underline that this is a highly discussed and controversial topic nowadays. I consider that it is crucial to define what is understood by cyberbullying.

What Is Cyberbullying?

It is a form of bullying done online through social networking sites, emails, or another form of online communication. When bullying someone online, a person may use mean or offensive language toward another person, which results in feelings getting hurt. This act is common among teens and youths who communicate with each other online. It is an act that is currently growing, with different results. Some people have been so hurt by comments made to them by their peers that they resort to hurting themselves or taking their own lives.

Cyberbullying can start online or offline. You may know someone who is a bully in person and continues to treat people unfairly online. People who are jealous, insecure, or just plain mean may tease, put down, or be pushy online. Many people feel this is completely immature and senseless. It may seem easy enough to sit behind a computer, type insults, and think it will not have an effect on anyone. People who are sensitive can have their feelings hurt very easily; however, cyberbullying is always a big problem because it leads to oppression, racism, sexism, ageism, body-shaming, and more.

The Blue Whale Challenge

In addition, I would like to highlight one of the most recent examples of cyberbullying that our teenagers are suffering: the Blue Whale Challenge. When you sign up for the “Blue Whale Challenge,” you are given a series of tasks over a period of 50 days:

• One day you could be told to watch a scary movie at 4:20 a.m.
• On another day, you might be required to cut yourself.
• On the 50th day, however, to “win” the challenge, you must commit suicide.

I have never imagined such a waste of life; yet, strangely, it is actually a reality among young people.

How Can We Stop Cyberbullying?

Finally, the most important question: what can we do in order to stop cyberbullying? From my own point of view, a person who begins being bullied online can contact someone they trust to help them deal with the problem, such as a counselor or a trusted online resource that offers cyberbullying advice.

Finally, we should be able to pull ourselves away from inappropriate put-downs. It also helps to have thicker skin when dealing with hurtful words, by trying not to let such comments get to us.