Cell Phones Used For Cyber Bullying

Bullies no longer have to be tough or bigger than their targets. Unfortunately, technology has empowered a great many individuals the ability and opportunity to harass others in new and more creative ways. This is referred to as cyber bullying, and while there are many avenues of doing so, perhaps the use of common cell phones is one of the most prevalent.

Cell phones were created for convenience, and they have added mobility and ease to a busy lifestyle. No matter where you are, you can be contacted or get in contact with others using your mobile phone. New devices also include internet access, cameras, and text messaging, to name a few basic applications. All of these conveniences, however, add to the ways that cyber bullying can occur.

Cyber bullying usually involves emotional and psychological abuse of others, so just about anyone can do it. This is an unfortunate circumstance, since bullying can affect children psychologically throughout the rest of their lives. Several means of bullying involve direct contact with the individual with a cell phone. For example, repeated calling by the bully cannot be stopped on some cell phones that do not have call blocking capability, and repeated text messaging that fills up the inbox and also uses up all available texts, as well as sends a negative message to the reader, can become more than a little disconcerting.

Other means of cyber bullying involve contacting not the individual being bullied but others about that person. Phone calls defaming the individual are made, or text messages can be sent out on mass to be read regarding something mean said about the target. In fact, cyber bullying with cell phones doesn’t stop there. Many phones are equipped with a camera that can both snap shots and record like a video camera. These devices are used to capture the subject in an embarrassing moment on the go and then files are shared with others or even posted on the internet for further harassment.

Perhaps the best way to combat cyber bullying is to be aware of its existence in the first place. If you have allowed your children to carry cell phones, you should start by limiting the exposure of the phone number. Monitor who your children give their numbers to so that you can control which friends can call or text them. Also, check the texts being sent and received by your child every now and then so that you are aware of what messages are being exchanged. Also, be careful how young of a child you allow to have a cell phone. While these are great for keeping track of your children, the younger a child is, the more likely he or she is to participate in such inappropriate behavior as cyber bullying.

Overall, cyber bullying has almost eradicated the traditional idea of what a bully is. With cell phones available to everyone, it has become all too common. To learn more about cyber bullying and how to avoid it, you should check out the ebook online, where you’ll find great tips and tricks for combating such behavior. In the meantime, you should carefully monitor your child’s phone activity to avoid emotional damage to your child, as well as someone else.