"Cyberbullying is bullying via email, instant messaging, in a chat room, on a website, or through messages or photos sent to a cell phone" (Allman 44). While many people know how to ignore Internet bullies, teens should still report cyberbullying if they see it. Many people are hurt by what they say on Facebook and Twitter. Some even committed suicide. Since cyberbullying has claimed so many lives, people should know what cyberbullying is, understand its effects, know the law, and prevent cyberbullying from continuing. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay The Internet has taken over the world. Instead of calling someone for a conversation, people text each other. To catch up with old friends, people use Facebook and Twitter. Networks like Facebook and Twitter have millions of users online every day. Social media has changed the face of the Internet. People are now connecting, sharing, coming together and making new friends. People also use social media to promote their music and potentially get discovered. In these modern times, your entire life can be stored on a smartphone. It contains files, media, music, emails and your social life. However, with all these benefits, when does technology have its negative effects? Cyberbullying affects people in many ways. For both the bully and the victim, cyberbullying can affect your reputation. You might even get rejected from your dream school. Cyberbullying also causes stress, depression and suicidal thoughts (Stop Cyberbullying). Cyberbullying can kill. Sending hateful messages via the Internet could end someone's life. "Take 13-year-old Hope Witsell. Last year, a middle school student in Ruskin, Florida, sent a photo of her breasts to a boy she liked. Another student took it and it went viral. In the case of Hope, worked to devastating effect. On September 12, 2009, Hope's death is part of a disturbing trend: teenagers commit suicide in the face of merciless bullying, often online" (Hunter). teenager named Jamey who was bullied for being gay. "Police have opened a criminal investigation into the suicide death of 14-year-old Jamey Rodemeyer of Buffalo, New York, who was bullied online with gay slurs for more than a year. The teen's parents, friends and even Lady Gaga, who was his idol, have expressed outrage at what they say was relentless torment on social networking sites. Jamey had just started his freshman year at Williamsville North High School, but the bullying began during middle school, according to his parents. having experienced hateful comments at school and online, mostly related to his sexual orientation" (James). This proves that tormenting someone on a social network is not a game to play. Many people believe that people don't take things seriously, that they are as tough as they make themselves out to be. Someone online will never be able to tell whether the jokes and threats typed might actually contemplate death. Most people don't take people's emotions and what they might do to themselves seriously. Everyone takes things and deals with them differently. Some may drop it because it's "Internet Only". However, some may take things more seriously and sincerely. So, if there are so many effects of cyberbullying, how does someone know if they too are a bully? Some questions to ask are: “Have I ever signed in under someone else's alias to getinformation?” “Have I scared or threatened anyone in an email or tweet?” “Have I used foul language online?” If so, that person could be harming someone right now without realizing what they are doing. is doing. (Stop cyberbullying) What should teenagers do when cyberbullying occurs? Well, if everyone were educated on how not to respond to someone online, there would be no victims who would be afraid to go to school or have their self-esteem destroyed by a status. Children should be encouraged to calm down if they become angry. This includes disconnecting from the computer and trying other ways to relieve stress to cope without using profanity and threats on the Internet to. one of their peers to calm them down. This includes going to a friend's house, playing a sport, cooking, etc. Additionally, children can talk to the school administration and their parents and ask to remain anonymous. If this is done, there may be fewer victims on the web and an end to cyberbullying altogether. Since this type of bullying has taken so many young lives, is there a law for people who find enjoyment in tormenting people on the Internet? Well, there is. And people get locked up for it. "In defamation cases, the target can file a lawsuit against the person who made the statement. If the lawsuit is successful, the person who made the statement will have to pay damages (money) to the target." (Media Awareness Network) Not only the bully has to pay, but also the school he attends. "A school or workplace that does not do everything it can to provide a safe environment can be sued by those affected. Even if a statement is not defamatory, spreading it could still create an unsafe environment." (Media Awareness Network) In the past, there have been serious consequences for high school students when their victim takes their own life. But what is the law? When does your right to free speech expire for you and could you be arrested? For example, "Nine Massachusetts teenagers have been charged with involvement in a months-long bullying campaign that led to the January suicide of a 15-year-old girl, a prosecutor said Monday. "Phoebe's death appears to have occurred "A torturous day for her followed on January 14 in which she was subjected to verbal harassment and physical abuse," she said. (CNN) Or another example, "a 16-year-old student at Stonewall Jackson High School in Manassas, Virginia, is accused in a police affidavit of creating a Facebook page called "Stonewall hoes" and posting photos of nine others students on the school with obscene captions under each." (Gordon) Many people might argue that the girl, and every other son or daughter who exiled themselves over a tweet or text, were simply too sensitive. That it was their fault for taking the comments so seriously. However, it is never okay to humiliate and hurt someone. Not only can it cause depression, but it's also against the law." Cyberbullying laws already exist in some states, including Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Maryland, Minnesota, Missouri, New Jersey, Oregon, Carolina South, Vermont and Washington. Other states, including New York and Rhode Island, are considering such laws" (Allman 29). Many states are taking a stand against cyberbullying. Virginia calls it computer harassment. Punishments can be up to a year in prison and even fines (Allman 30). Before a person thinks about trying to threaten someone over the Internet or via text message, they should think about the laws. What impact would it have on their family? How would it affect the rest of their lives when they are adults? "In.