Why Cyberbully? - by Aedlycia (My School Yearbook Project and Me Being Selected to be an Editor)

During my first term of secondary, after the end-of-term exams, one of the teachers from the English Department at my school has assigned me to write two articles; one fiction and another non-fiction - which, if they are good enough, both have a chance to be published in the school's yearbook. I've also been selected by one of the teachers from the same department to be one of the Editors for the 2019/2020 Yearbook. My English teacher has also asked for my parents' consent to let me join the School Editorial Team, during our PTC (Parents-Teachers-Conference) - and I was personally delighted to take the responsibility as writing is one of my strengths. Since I'm the youngest student in secondary (I'm a skip student; I skipped two years of primary and I was still 9 years old when I first entered 7th Grade in secondary school), I have to admit that I was scared and had butterflies in my stomach on the first day of school. Imagine having to work with people that were older than me by two or more years? So, when some of the secondary teachers saw my talent and gave me this opportunity, I felt glad because it was a good start to my secondary years, you know, being the youngest and acknowledged? At the same time, it's also beneficial for my portfolio.

Now, back to the assignment! I've been thinking hard on what to write, and have decided to write about cyberbullying for my non-fiction article. I think it's a major issue nowadays, since I myself have been victimized by cyberbullies - but I took it positively. I've also seen people cyberbully my friends, but I stood up for them. For my fiction article, I've written something else, which is more of a suspense story. I'll post it in another blog post. So this is the article that I've submitted to the department;

Why Cyberbully?

By: Aedlycia

Cyberbullying, also known as cyber harassment or online bullying, is when somebody victimises another and hurts them using the Internet or electronic devices. Some forms of cyberbullying include sending them photos, calling them hurtful names or exposing their secrets on social media. It can occur through electronic forms of communication such as text messages, social media, online games, etcétéra. It creates a situation where the victim is repeatedly threatened, harassed and humiliated.

Cyberbullies are often people who have also been victimised by cyberbullying. Sometimes they have been subjected to physical or verbal abuse in real life. Others might simply be cyberbullies mainly for the falsely crude satisfaction they get from watching their victims suffer, ultimately trying to control and domineer over their victims. They only need to blow off some steam; they vent out their anger on their poor victims.

Cyberbullying affects its victims in many negative ways. Normally it starts off with feelings of helplessness and confusion, which develops guilt, and they start to rethink about what they have done wrong. Eventually they will develop a fear of leaving their homes or going to school and they will withdraw from family or friends. Often, victims will fall into depression or resort to suicide (in extreme cases).

The best way to deter the cyberbullies is by ignoring them. Ignorance towards their actions discourages them, mainly because they cannot get the desired outcome of their bullying. One way to avoid depression is to speak to a parent, family member, counsellor, close friend or anybody who may be able to help with moving on.

There is no proper way to stop cyberbullying completely, because there are always people who wish to ruin others’ lives. The best effort that can be made is to ignore them and report the issue to the right people. Why cyberbully when you can ‘cyber-love’?

What do you think? In actual fact, I have a lot more that I want to write for this article, but I've been given a specific word limit by the department. I really hope I can get selected, at least one of my articles - there are so many talented writers in my school (apart from me, of course! *hehe*) Tough luck, I know. However, there's a chance that the project might be cancelled or postponed due to COVID-19 issues. Please pray for me!

Stay tuned for my next blog post - where I'll publish my fiction article, as mentioned earlier.

Take care, everyone! <3

XOXO

Aedlycia