It is used as a place to meet new friends, but has also become popular for being used for cyber stalking and cyber bullying.
Cyber bullying and stalking are taking place among children, teenagers, and even adults ranging from elementary students to high school students, college students and even adults, in a professional or non professional environment.
It seems as if it is easier to post a threatening or hurtful status or send a message about someone in your school, your family, your friend circle or even your job, than it is to sit and talk face-to-face about the problem or even bring it to a superior.
The latest case of cyber stalking and bullying includes a 14 year old boy from Shreveport, Louisiana. He faces charges for sending threats to his high school teacher, after he received a non-satisfactory grade.
All that is known of the case is that the teenager created a Facebook account using another peer’s name, and sent the teacher a threatening message. The exact details haven’t been released, but the good news is no one has been injured from this incident.
The student was arrested and was booked, but then released to his parents’ custody after the investigation. No releases of the student’s name will appear since he is a minor.
This is just one of the many examples of how Facebook can be used as an easy means of bullying and stalking.
Parents should definitely try and keep a look out to make sure their children are educated of the dangers and risk of having online social accounts. We should also be aware that these types of things do happen on a daily basis, and if you are receiving any messages or even see someone’s status as bullying or stalking, we should try to reach out and talk to them about the situation or even report it to an adult or a superior.
Many people don’t see the hurt or threats their words might cause to someone else, so we should do our best to help prevent someone from being scared or depressed. A term has even been coined: Facebook Depression.
Social networking is a place to keep in contact with one another and have fun; it shouldn’t be to harm anyone, threaten them, or even try to make someone else sad.
Look out for your family, friends and other loved ones and try to stay educated as well as keeping them educated on how to keep Social Networking a positive place to hang out, instead of a dangerous place to be.
photo: detroitmommies.com
