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Cyber Bullying Research Paper

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On average, people spend over 700 BILLION minutes on Facebook in one month. (Facebook) In today's day and age, social networking sites have taken over the internet. Sites such as MySpace, Facebook, Twitter, and Tumblr have linked people together in a way that was never thought possible. However, from all good comes bad, and from social networking sites the act of cyber bullying - bullying and harassing someone through the internet was born. Now, whether or not the websites are the cause of cyber bullying has become a rather controversial topic. Abraham Foxman and Cyndi Silverman, both part of the Anti-Defamation League, vehemently feel that these social networking sites spawned cyber bullying. On the other hand, Kate Harding, blogger and …show more content…

While Harding’s writing style may appear unprofessional, once you actually read through the article, her style of writing is actually very appealing. She connects with a reader in a way that makes the article relatable and keeps the reader intrigued. Even though her writing isn’t formal, it still rings true. When addressing the thought that online websites can be used as a scapegoat for bullying, Harding is outraged, declaring that this “erases the underlying problem, which is kids treating each other like crap” (Harding). She continues to write that “online or off – a bully is a bully” and they will continue to harass their peers, whether it’s online or physical. Kids and teenagers have always been picked on; the introduction of social networking is just a new place to bully someone.
Because Harding is extremely opinionated and critical, she fully addresses the opposing side of the argument. Harding repeatedly stresses that social networking is not the CAUSE of cyber bullying – but rather a simple medium for the horrible bullies of the world. So, yes, it does play a role in cyberbullying, but not to the extent that Foxman and Silverman say it does. All this she does with the intricate use of scenarios, real life instances, and her own opinion, convincing the reader of her argument. While she may be a blogger, Harding uses this to her advantage, proving to be a credible author.
On the other hand, Social Networking Sites Can Be Forums For Cyberbullying

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