Keeping kids safe has always been a number one priority. But, more than half of teens are discriminated on the internet and no one may even be aware of it. Either it's because they are to afraid of seeking help or simply because they just don't know what to do about it. While discrimination has a ton of negatives some people would argue that it also could be positive. Such as allowing for victims to stand up for themselves later on down the road, and since it’s cyber bullying and not physical it is easier to track and catch the bully. But, there are a ton of negatives when it comes to discrimination like causing victims to have emotional breakdowns, being a social misfit, and in the worst possible scenario even death/suicide. Discrimination due to cyberbullying both from peers and adults, can have negative effects on the victims health physically, mentally and long term.
Discriminating someone could actually be positive. When someone gets discriminated it's often against one's personal characteristics, such as "weight, appearance, voice, or values” (Pros and cons of cyber bullying). In the case of cyber bullying most bullies use the avenue of their house to send out hurtful messages because cyber bullying has become so easy and simple to commit. But, in the same case when most victims are discriminated and bullied in the comfort of their own house they “feel much more empowered to stand up for themselves” (Pros and cons of cyber bullying). Compared to a similar situation if they were at school with a lot of people that you are uncomfortable with and you are cyberbullied. Cyberbullying, also helps to catch bullies because anything that is on the internet is there forever, and so it allows for authority to bust the bully more times than not. In just a glance those were just a few reasons to why cyber bullying can be positive.
When discrimination due to cyberbullying occurs the negative effects of it doesn’t only linger for a couple of days or weeks, it lingers for years. “Blood pressure, body mass and stress-related hormones were assessed when the youths turned 20” (Joan Raymond). When blood pressure, body mass and stress-related hormones were measured; it showed that teens who had been victims of discrimination in the past, all had a higher chance of higher blood pressure, bigger body masses and more stress when they got older. Along with higher blood pressure came a higher chance/risk of strokes, cardiac diseases, and an increase of the body’s inflammatory response. All of these effects were still haunting the victims and this is many years after the incidents. Other long term effects that have been tested are “low economic status, depression, or unhealthy behaviors such as drug use, for example” (Joan Raymond). Proving that effects of discrimination isn't a one time thing, it's like a merry-go-round it doesn't stop.
When you are discriminated you face major physical and mental effects. “The level of discrimination also impacted these teens' grade-point averages and their health and was associated with depression, distress and lower levels of self-esteem” (Mark Wheeler). Including the fact that victims who suffered discrimination from both teens and adults showed symptoms of physical aches and pains. Not only is being sad and depressed the only effects, but psychologically you are frazzled. You get anxiety and are extremely insecure. To add to the mental and physical effects most teens aren’t only discriminated against from other teens “(60%) but also from adults (63%)” (Mark Wheeler). Teens who are discriminated suffer much much more physical and mental symptoms/ effects versus a teen who hasn’t faced any.
Although the internet and all you can do on it is amazing there will always be somethings that aren't as amazing. Like cyber bullying and discriminating, because of the negative effects it has on its victims. While cyber bullying can be a good thing because it gives the victims a chance to stand up for themselves, the physical, mental and long term effects are not comparable. So next time you see someone who is being bullied on the web, help them out because it could be you.
Citation Page:
"Pros and Cons of Cyber Bullying - HRFnd." HRFnd. N.p., 16 March 2014. Web. 05 September 2015.
Wheeler, Mark. "Discrimination Hurts, but How Much?" UCLA Newsroom. 13 September 2010., n.d. Web. 21 August 2015.
Raymond, Joan. "Racial Discrimination in Teen Years Could Create Health Problems - NBC News." NBC News. 3 February 2014., n.d. Web. 21 August 2015.