With social media more prevalent in our lives today, than any other time, we need to be aware of what kind of affects it has on the youngest users of our generation. I will give you three scenarios and you decide if it qualifies as gossip or cyberbullying.
First though, you need to know the definition of cyberbullying. "Cyberbullying is bullying that takes place using electronic technology. Electronic technology includes devices and equipment such as cell phones, computers, and tablets as well as communication tools including social media sites, text messages, chat, and websites."
1. Becky heard from another classmate that Jenny's parents are getting a divorce because Jenny's dad cheated on her mom. Becky tells a group of people she considers close friends and makes them swear that they won't tell anyone else. As it turns out, they each tell someone else and now the rumor is flying around the school.
2. Brian likes to play a popular online game everyday after school. Brian isn't great at the game but he enjoys it. One day he is playing as a team with four other online gamers. Brian doesn't know the individuals but this is the nature of the game. Brian made a mistake and cost the team the game win. The individuals start calling Brian names and use racial slurs at him in the chat window. They say things like, "You are the worst person on the face of the planet. Go kill yourself." Brian leaves the game but it seems like he was blackballed and every time he wants to play a game the other teammates gang up on him.
3. After two girls get into a fight at school a video of it is posted online anonymously. The video circulates throughout the area and soon people who don't even know the individuals are commenting on the video. They make inferences about race, body image, and sexual identity. One of the girls flags the video but it gets posted under a new username and the taunts continue.
Answers:
1. Gossip
2. Cyberbullying
3. Cyberbullying
For more information about cyberbullying and what you can do to prevent it check out this website.
In the comments tell us what YOU do to help prevent cyberbullying.
I think the way that you described and explained the differences between gossip and cyberbullyng is really great. I like how you gave three different examples or scenarios of the two terms. Many people get confused between the two and don't always know what the difference it, but you do an awesome job in demonstrating them! Cyberbullying is definitely worse and causes more damage than just gossiping about someone.
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