Cyberbullying and the First Amendment
Grand Canyon University: POS-500
, This week started our new school year. As an educator, professional development week
prior to the children coming back is a time when we are trained and reminded of so much. The
last two days consisted of suicide prevention training, bullying/cyberbullying, among others.
The biggest thing I took from all of this was that there really are no laws in place to fight against
this epidemic, only court cases.
Cyberbullying is strong among the tween population, and can cause severe
psychological harm, as the victim is subject to deliberate verbal, physical, and social abuse that
are meant to cause harm. Many victims fall into the rabbit hole of thinking they do not possess
self-worth, that they have ruined the lives of others, and most times are puffed up, only to be
slammed by negativity (Miller, 2017). It is often revealed that cyberbullying was a result of an
argument during school, liking the wrong person (perhaps a boyfriend/girlfriend of the abuser),
or for simply being different and not fitting into the mold shaped by society.
Cyberbullying is unique as there is more to it than just name-calling. Victims are
traumatized through cell phones, Facebook, twitter, email, chatrooms, and even the dark web.
These platforms can be used to send hateful messages (texts, posts, etc.), and photos to a victim
often resulting in blackmail and shaming. These images and messages can be sent to more than
just a victim. In many films, or teen series’ you can find this specificbullying which often
portrays students huddled and laughing at photos or messages on their cell phones, while a
victim is shown in the foreground feeling deflated or embarrassed. Many times, this results in
isolation, depression, anxiety, etc. all of which can be seen as portals to suicide.
The First Amendment provides the freedom of speech, which causes much confusion
and complication when it comes to cyberbullying, being that the abuser is subject to this
Grand Canyon University: POS-500
, This week started our new school year. As an educator, professional development week
prior to the children coming back is a time when we are trained and reminded of so much. The
last two days consisted of suicide prevention training, bullying/cyberbullying, among others.
The biggest thing I took from all of this was that there really are no laws in place to fight against
this epidemic, only court cases.
Cyberbullying is strong among the tween population, and can cause severe
psychological harm, as the victim is subject to deliberate verbal, physical, and social abuse that
are meant to cause harm. Many victims fall into the rabbit hole of thinking they do not possess
self-worth, that they have ruined the lives of others, and most times are puffed up, only to be
slammed by negativity (Miller, 2017). It is often revealed that cyberbullying was a result of an
argument during school, liking the wrong person (perhaps a boyfriend/girlfriend of the abuser),
or for simply being different and not fitting into the mold shaped by society.
Cyberbullying is unique as there is more to it than just name-calling. Victims are
traumatized through cell phones, Facebook, twitter, email, chatrooms, and even the dark web.
These platforms can be used to send hateful messages (texts, posts, etc.), and photos to a victim
often resulting in blackmail and shaming. These images and messages can be sent to more than
just a victim. In many films, or teen series’ you can find this specificbullying which often
portrays students huddled and laughing at photos or messages on their cell phones, while a
victim is shown in the foreground feeling deflated or embarrassed. Many times, this results in
isolation, depression, anxiety, etc. all of which can be seen as portals to suicide.
The First Amendment provides the freedom of speech, which causes much confusion
and complication when it comes to cyberbullying, being that the abuser is subject to this
