Hannah Smit
EDUC 550
Dr. Gruenewald
COMBINED ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHIES PAPER ON BULLYING
When we hear the word “bullying”, what comes to mind for most people is the act of
someone who is threatening or harassing another. We may even picture a scene from A
Christmas Story where this tall kid and his crew are running after this shorter, nerdy-looking kid
wearing glasses. However, bullying comes in many forms. It is verbal harassment, in which
someone’s mean words can make another feel emotionally and mentally abused. It is physical
assault in which not only the aggressor leaves physical marks and bruises, but also leaves an
emotional scar on the victim that may last a lifetime. It is a toxic relationship where it can cause
emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion on one or both halves of the couple. After reading
the three assigned academic journals, researching other articles and websites, and watching
YouTube videos on bullying, it became apparent to me how much of a serious crisis this is.
Bullying, particularly cyberbullying, has become a global pandemic affecting our youths and our
society as a whole. Now, with our technology constantly advancing, I fear that the future
generation will experience a much worse form of bullying, unless we, as a society work together
to address and prevent or take action to reduce this problem.
Traditional bullying typically occurs in a public setting such as the school yard or
classroom, the workplace, and in any social common areas. With traditional bullying there are
usually three parties involved: the bully, the victim, and the bystander(s). The act of bullying or
harassment is usually premeditated where the aggressor targets the victim and plans various
attacks on that person. In fact, according to Psychology Today (May 2012) characteristics of
traditional bullying include a need for power and control, to proactively target the victim and
exert aggression. In our schools, bullying occurs in the school yard or on the school grounds, in
the classroom, in the hallways, and even the restrooms. The bully’s intention is to humiliate the
victim in a public setting to fuel the need for power and control. The effects of this humiliation
are so severe that it leaves the victim feeling helpless, depressed and anxious, and in worse cases,
hurting oneself and maybe others. It also may cause the victim to miss school to avoid the public
humiliation and being further harassed. Current bullying prevention programs focus on
educating students or counseling the bullies and victims as well as exercising a zero tolerance
policy. In some states, particularly in the Northwest United States, alternative programs, such as
the Bully Prevention Challenge Course Curriculum (BPCCC), were established to focus on
fostering trust, support and communication with each other. Effectiveness was measured by
taking the students, teachers and staff’s perspectives on bullying one week and one month after
the implementation of the BPCCC. According to the reported comments, students indicated
improvements in peer relations, improved cooperation and communication amongst them, and
the ability to trust others and themselves (Battey and Ebbeck 2013). Having a successful
outcome with the BPCCC, it seems that such programs should be established and mandatory
implemented across the country to prevent bullying from becoming a further catastrophe.
In our modern society, the internet and modern pocket devices, such as smartphones,
have given birth to a new pandemic: cyberbullying. Cyberbullying has crept up on the bullying
scale and has become more of a problem than its traditional counterpart. A mean message, a
rumor, or an embarrassing video can spread instantly and reach many audiences with just a click
of a button. Therefore, immediate and almost irreversible damage is done to the targeted person.
Two scholars, who conducted research on cyberbullying, described cyberbullying as the “willful
and repeated harm inflicted through the use of computers, cell phones, or other electronic
devices”. Unlike in traditional bullying, in cyberbullying the individual may play multiple and
either one of these roles: the cyberbully, the victim and the bystander. Also, cyberbullying does
not require face-to-face interaction and occur primarily online and/or through technological
devices. With cyberbullying, people “can become desensitized to a computer screen, and say or do
things they wouldn't do to a person's face” (Psychology Today 2012). The lack of actual face-to-face
interaction decreases the level of empathy for the victims because his/her reaction cannot be
seen, which may even be more damaging emotionally and mentally to the victim. Just like
traditional bullying, the effects can be lasting and may cause the person to fall into depression,
anxiety and lead to suicidal thoughts and actual attempts. Preventing cyberbullying from
becoming an epidemic is not as costly or as time consuming as establishing bullying prevention
programs in schools. Cyberbullying can be reduced by standing up against the harassers,
educating our youths about the damages it creates, and living by example. Adopt the motto
“think before you click” by asking questions such as, “will this post/email/photo haunt me later
in the future?” or “would I offend anyone?” Victims of cyberbullying should block the
aggressors, if possible, and report cyberbullying to a trusted person, host/site provider, and law
official. Also consider deleting or changing your cell phone number or email/social networking
account.
Regardless of what type of bullying it is, it poses a vicious, malicious harm on the victim.
Prior to fully understanding what bullying meant, I perceive it mainly as the apparent physical
and verbal attack which may cause physical, emotional and mental damage. I’ve realized,
however, with most people communicating online, what you say can be perceived as hurtful or
damaging by the receiver because of the lack of personal interaction. As I’ve noted previously,
and as I’ve read in many articles online, the best prevention when it comes to bullying is to treat
each other with respect and being mindful of your words and of other people’s feelings. I can
honestly say that we have all been the victim, the bystander or even the bully at one point in our
lives. What’s most important is that we recognize our behaviors, either current or past, and make
some strides towards reformation. After all, we are evolutionary creatures, constantly
developing to our better selves.
References
Battey, G.J.L. & Ebbeck, V. (2013). A qualitative exploration of an experiential education bully
prevention curriculum. Journal of Experiential Education 36(3), 203-217.
Hinduja, S., & Patchin, J. (2013). Social influences on cyberbullying behaviors among middle
and high school students. Journal of Youth Adolescence 42(5), 711-722.
Lohmann, R. C. (n.d.). Retrieved from
http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/teenangst/201205/cyberbullying-versustraditional-bullying-1