Teens and Cyberbullying

Dana Boyd argues that social media has not radically altered the dynamics of bullying, but it has made these dynamics more visible to more people. I agreed with her, Bully has been the main issue for teens before the social media was widespread. Blaming technology is not going to resolve or minimize its bully. Teens nowadays are very stubborn, especially things that we do not want them to do it, they will rebel and aggressively do it to against adults or parents’ order. It is true what Dana Boyd said “recognizing where teens are at and why they engage in particular acts of meanness and cruelty is important to creating interventions that work.” I think we needs to know where the teens are at now and what kind of friends or groups they involve with, these may lead to define issues why they engage in such mean and cruel activities. I believe some bullies are happened because teems are struggling with their own problems and do not know how to cope with its situation may decide to harm others. However, some teens think that by creating aggressively and repeatedly action toward others, it will make them feel happier, look cool, and sometimes creating an excitement for them. 

Even through, I agreed with Dana Boyed, I still think Illinois should adopt the cyberbullying law like Michigan. Majority of teens do not listen to adults or their parents, and do whatever they want to do behind their parents. With the law in place, it will help limiting and setting boundary for teens to behavior or act within certain range and if they still want to do, they may face consequences to be in jail and pay fines.  

The punishments only add to the “drama”, I think it is true. If adults or parents punish their kids by halting teens completely from using social medias or online sites, this may cause more trouble. As I mentioned early teens at this age are very curious with everything and stubborn. Things we do not want them to see, they will want to see and things we do not want them to do, they will do it. And sometimes teens start to losing trust in adult or parents when they find out that what parents or adults tell them are not true. It is hard when teens are living in society that full of freedom and opportunity. Teems think their ideas and action are more logical and so current. They believe adults’ thinking are in old fashion and need to be up-to-date.