In a world of social media and internet bullying, the fine
line between social media use and cyberbullying is often overlooked. Despite
the fact that most social media platforms offer anti-bullying tools, many users
are still subject to harassment online.
Bullying on social media can take on many forms, from
slander to cyberstalking. In some cases, the behavior can even cross over into
criminal behavior. In California, an individual may face up to one year in jail
and a $1,000 fine for harassing another person by using an electronic
communication device such as a telephone or computer.
A recent study found that higher social media addiction
scores, more hours spent online and identifying as male significantly predicted
cyberbullying perpetration among adolescents.
The first step is to educate your child about social media
and the dangers of being cyberbullied. This includes understanding what is
considered harassment, how to report cyberbullying, and how to keep your child
safe.
Social capital, or social status, is a complex and highly
dynamic term that is used in sociology to describe the networks of social
connections between individuals. According to the theory of social capital
proposed by Bourdieu, a person's social capital is accumulated through their
relationships with others and the activities they engage in.
In the context of school, social capital is cultivated
through relationships with peers, and the interactions students have in classrooms
are highly conducive to forming bonds of trust. When these bonds are broken, it
degrades the social capital of some classmates while elevating that of other
classmates.
While social capital is a critical factor in the formation
of positive relationships and friendships, it also plays an important role in
negative peer relations. This has been shown to cause depression, anxiety and
other emotional disorders.
This is because people can often feel more isolated and
insecure when they have negative peer relations. As a result, they are more
likely to become depressed and self-harming.
Moreover, students who are a victim of cyberbullying often
have a difficult time interacting with their friends. They may withdraw at
school or refuse to speak with their parents about their problems. They may
hide their accounts and hide evidence that they have been cyberbullied, and
this can be especially hard for children who are very impressionable.
This means that it is essential for teachers to have
conversations with their students about social media and cyberbullying, and for
them to make sure they are not being abused in the classroom. They should also
teach their students to never respond to a bullying or harassment post with
anger or retaliation.