Cyber Bullying - The Negative Impact

For some students, school is a place where they have close friends and good relationships with their peers. For others, however, it is a place where they walk in fear of being made fun of. Years before the Internet, victimized students could leave the confines of school and no longer suffer from the ridicule of bullies.


Unfortunately, that day is long past. Now, students suffer from cyber bullying. I have spoken to students and know that some have been threatened consistently on Facebook and / or MySpace. Some students have had pages made of them without their consent and insults are posted there. It is easier to post something than to say something to somebody’s face, and sometimes, the insults can go viral with other students heaping up more and more insults. Now, the student’s self-concept has changed, and all thoughts of education are put on hold as self-esteem has been dismantled and thoughts of self-doubt, self-loathing, and / or revenge occupy the student’s mind.

This is tragic and is ultimately a devastating impact on education. I know teachers who have witnessed the impact of cyber bullying on students. Their student is unfocused and often depressed. Focusing on the importance of the Crusades or on Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales is not very important to the student who has had insult after insult posted on the world wide web.

My principal noted that he spends hours having to deal with altercations in the school caused by what people posted on Facebook or MySpace – places where there is no authority or rules to follow. Instead of focusing on curriculum development, he has to deal with the aftermath of very hurtful posts. The educational process is stymied as victims and educators are wondering what the next terrible posting will say.

Social networking sites like Facebook have created educational issues for students and educators to deal with.