Kate Gravitt

Dr. Mitchell

UWRT 1104

26 October, 2017

How to be civilized in an uncivilized society

From Generation to generation new rules and norms constantly arise and fall. What was

cool in 2007 no longer will matter come 2012, similar to all the fashion trends of 2009 will no

longer exist come 2017. Our society is constantly changing and evolving not only physically, but

mentally as well. Along with new societal trends evolving and growing, things such as

technology have recently become more evident and are used daily by many individuals. Online

social media websites have made a huge impact on this generation and all ways of future

communication. With this new wave of communication comes new territories of privacy and

freedom. Moreover, problems like cyberbullying have cause major outbreaks of violence and

even suicides in recent years.

Although cyberbullying has no real age limitation, an overwhelming majority of

cyberbullying cases appear in the age group of many middle school students. Teen cyberbullying

itself has become a national phenomenon with growing cases and suicides. In Jenifer Holladays

online article, Cyberbullying, she continues to explain this issue. She states that cyberbullying

is an under rated issue that is often looked over and ignored. Holladay claims that this is an old

concept with a refaced term. Bullying has always been an issue but now that online

communication and interaction is so common, typing away hurtful comments is way easier than

to say said comments face to face. Holladay starts her article sharing a story of a young teen who

hanged herself due to her extensive case of cyberbullying. In addition, Holladay makes a clever

remark stating that one of the major effects of cyberbullying is the wide audience.
Kate Gravitt

Dr. Mitchell

UWRT 1104

26 October, 2017

However, cyberbullying varies so drastically from regular bullying in the fact that when one

individual bullies another face to face the audience may range. If Sally passed a harassing

comment to Betty in class, the only two people who have seen the said note so far would be

Betty and Sally whereas if Sally wrote a demeaning comment on Bettys Facebook wall, the

audience that has the authority to view the post is wide and unknown.

Also, Holladay states, bullies dont just attack in the cafeteria or on the playground.

Bullies have moved from conventional methods of bullying an individual for their lunch to now

harassing one because their weight or the way that they dress. These occurrences happen in many

places that seem to feel inescapable at any given point. People in todays generation constantly

have their phones with them whether its in their hand, pocket or even purse. Texts and calls are

always being received along with the dreadful notifications from any given said website or social

media platform. Teens now dont know the feelings of getting on the bus back home and being

away from their bully because their bully follows them where ever they go at any time. Lastly, in

Holladays article she claims that one of the most painful things about online bullying is that

there are no rules or regulations. Freedom of speech is used its full extent when it comes to

online bullying and most general bullying cases. Holladay ends her argument stating that

although things like online bullying may be oddly legal, people should start raising their kids

with better morals such as respect and sympathy towards others. Her end argument clearly

claiming that the more that we as a generation try and talk about cyberbullying and its dreadful

effects, the more that people will start to notice and speak up about the pivotal issue of this

generation.
Kate Gravitt

Dr. Mitchell

UWRT 1104

26 October, 2017

Another author in the name of Gianluca Gini states similar but deeper points within her

online article titled,Bullying and Suicide Risk in Children and Adolescents. In her article, Gini

explores the effects of cyberbullying on young teens stating, In contrast, pediatric, psychiatric,

and psychological research has documentedboth concurrently and longitudinallyadverse

consequences of being bullied at school and online in childrens and adolescents lives, including

psychological problems (eg, depression, anxiety, low self-esteem) and physical health

symptoms.. Cyberbullying tends to have long term lasting effects on children that at some point

may become too far gone to ever be curable. Gini also claims that problems associated with

difficulties using adaptive coping strategies and regulating negative emotions that may manifest

as shy or withdrawn behavior, frequent worrying, self-denigrating comments, and low self-

confidence. So even if a young child were to try and cope with their case of cyberbullying,

some cases actually result in worse results lowering a childs self- esteem and confidence. Lastly,

Gini targets school systems by saying bullying in any capacity is associated with higher rates of

youth suicidal ideation and behaviors. Malleable risk and protective factors for both bullying and

suicidal behaviors have been identified in the literature and should be targeted in school- and

community-based interventions. Gini directly states how cyberbullying and its effects on young

teens sometimes results in teen suicide. Gini claims that even though we as a society try to make

this issue known, it should be integrated into school systems so children learn from an early age

how wrong cyberbullying is and how it could possibly result in the loss of an individuals life.
Kate Gravitt

Dr. Mitchell

UWRT 1104

26 October, 2017

Additionally, in an article written on the Huffington Post online argues the impact of

cyberbullying on young teens. The Impact of Cyberbullying on Young Girls written by Sue

Scheff dabbles on the topic of why teens tend to cyberbully on another. Scheff states multiple

theories and facts sharing things including how most children tend not to tell his or her parents

about said cyberbullying, they let it get to such an extensive point beyond return where they tend

to feel trapped and helpless. In addition, not only do the victims admit to being bullied, but

bystanders tend to keep silent as well. Scheff says This is nearly 4 in 10 youths either being a

victim or knowing someone that has been abused online, confirming that cyberbullying is a

significant threat. Most of the time, it seems as if the bystander can be just as dangerous as the

bully itself. Seeing such acts and not speaking forward to an adult may be a part of this major

problem. If kids were more open to speaking out against bullying to adults and adult figures,

would this issue be more prevalent and clear? Scheff also restates a valid point claiming Its

often easy to hide behind a quick text, snap, post or tweet but the lasting effects can have a

devastating effect on teens and their families. Cyberbullying may seem so conventional at first

glance due to the simplicity of the action. Sending a text or posting a comment on a wall is found

to be much easier than if someone were to go out of their way to find another individual in a

public setting to harass. Many tend to forget the consequences for their post and the longevity

that they have. A written note may be torn up and thrown away whereas if someone post

something online it is possibly there indefinitely. Even when posts are deleted they are still
Kate Gravitt

Dr. Mitchell

UWRT 1104

26 October, 2017

capable of being found and recovered by the qualified individuals. Overall, cyberbullying is

permanent and un changeable once someone posts something online to another peer.

In conclusion, cyberbullying is a seriously overwhelmingly big issue that continues to

leave people wondering why and how. The action itself demeans individuals and can leave them

with such a low self- esteem that they feel as if the only out is suicide. High teen suicide rates

trace back to cyberbullying and the whole ordeal seems to be the talk of the generation. The real

question lies in the notion of How to be civilized in an uncivilized society? This question

implores the man ideals and issues of our nation and generation. Many things tend to tear apart

society as a whole, but cyberbullying could be a leading factor. With lack of pure morals

including respect, anything said online may be considered fair game. If parents dont raise their

children to know what is right from wrong when speaking to other people, the internet may seem

scary to another parent who has raised their kids with the morals of If you dont have anything

nice to say dont say anything at all mentality. Cyberbullying may be a core issue for the

downfall of this generation and could be solved if taken seriously enough. People are continuing

the search behind cyberbullying and the motives behind it all but answers may not come as soon

as we would like. If anyone wants to see any change over the next few years, they could start by

how they treat individuals themselves and live without fear of speaking out against the

harassment. At this rate, technology will once become more and more advanced and it may just

be our job as a generation to fix such mistakes before we allow any other future generation to

explore into the great world of the online web.

Kate Gravitt

Dr. Mitchell

UWRT 1104

26 October, 2017

Green- To Add

Red- To Summarize

Yellow- To Compare

Teal- To show exception

All Verbs in pink

I ended up cutting about a page of my essay out, now it is short of five pages and I feel as if

maybe I need to go back in and work on my transitions and clarity of the sequences of my

thoughts. I realize that my works cited and my in text citations are missing as well.