Cyber Bullying

It was extremely heartbroking watch the video about the 13 year Hope who killed herself because she was bullied after she send a partially naked picture of herself to a boy that she liked, who then forwarded it to a friend, who then forwarded it to everyone. I think that schools, particularly middle schools have a responsibility to educate their students against sexting. They should have their seventh and eight graders watch videos about girls like Hope, and have them realize that sexting is a mistake that can affect the rest of their life. Schools should have students do research on sexting, cyberbulling and teen suicide that is related to technology as a major project.

Teenagers do not realize that sending naked pircures of themselves is a crime. A thirteen year girl that uses a cell phone to send a naked picture of herself is distributing child pornography, and she can in some cases be arrested and labeled a sex offender for the rest of her life. And to make it worse, the pictures can be forwarded, no one can be trusted to delete these pictures one day, or just keep them for personal use. Once they go public they stay on the internet forever, and there is no way of destroying them.

And finally schools should teach students to use technology responsively. They should teach students to use cameras and computers to acquire new learning skills, or to perform projects. Not to bully someone, or to do something stupid like make naked pictures of themselves, and them, what is worse, send them. Schools should tell students that technology can be dangerous. Stories of teen suicide, and mistakes that caused girls like Hope and Megan should be heard. And I think that Middle Schools especially should have their students hear those stories, and hopefully learn from them.