Ashley Smith
Is There A Solution To Cyber?
Can you imagine being bullied relentlessly at school then going home just to go through the same thing, but online where everyone can see? This is what has been happening since cyberbullying became so prevalent in our society today. Not only is cyberbullying just as mentally damaging as face-to-face confrontation, but even more because of the ongoing embarrassment that it causes from being on the internet. Nandoli von Marèes says this on cyberbullying, “While cyberbullying has many similarities with traditional bullying, the issues of repetition and power imbalance are less easy to define, as for example an embarrassing picture, once uploaded to a website, can be viewed repeatedly, thereby creating on-going humiliation” (Marèes). While it seems there is not an end in sight for cyberbullying, there are solutions to this that can be applied to everyday life. Since cyberbullying happens exclusively online one of the easiest solutions it to take away students’ source to the internet while they are at school. Andrea Baroncelli states it like this, “cyberbullying is committed mainly by preadolescents and adolescents who are increasingly using new technologies to engage in personal interaction, but also in harassment against peers” (Baroncelli). The same technology that is used to help young people connect is also tearing people down. At school, teens use technology to take advantage of others. Whether that is through embarrassing pictures, rude messages, or posting about other people, it tends to fuel from having technology at school when everyone is together. If students did not have access to this technology while in school it would decrease the time and availability of the technology that is used to cyberbully. Although, taking the access to phones at school does not completely solve the problem, but it would cut down on the time that students are spending in their own world they have created in their phones. The American Psychological Association states, “Research has long linked more screen time with lower psychological well-being, including higher rates of anxiety and depression”(Abramson). If the screen time is lowered by taking away phones at school, then the way cyberbullying outside of school affects kids could decrease. Many people argue that taking away phones gets in the way of online schoolwork, but almost everything that needs to be done online at school can be done on a computer that most schools supply students with. Another way of lowering the effect of cyberbullying on is simply teaching students how to not let it get to them mentally. Nandoli Von Marèes states, “cyberbullying incidents can occur anywhere and at any time, potentially be witnessed by a large, mostly unknown, limitless audience, and theoretically remain in cyberspace permanently, thereby creating repeated and on-going victimization” (Marèes 5). When things are permanent it tends to get to people in different ways; however, it does not have to be this way. If students were taught how to mentally ignore these so-called humiliating things that are posted online, the bullies would lose their power over people. This is easier said than done, but it is possible. An article written by Justin W. Patchin puts it like this, “A similar sentiment was expressed by another girl from Texas, a 12-year-old: ‘I ignored it and pretended it didn’t bother me. If they can’t get a reaction, they leave you alone and move on to someone else.’” (Patchin). Not only does this method work for the bully but the bullied. When one chooses to ignore this hatred it does not hurt their mental health as much as it would when someone dwells on the hatred. That is where cyberbullying can cause depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts all throughout young teens. This is not the end all solution to cyberbullying, and some people have a real problem with this approach; saying that ignoring the problem does not solve it but make it worse in the long run. However, it has been proven that if a bully does not get inside their targets head it is not worth it to them, so they do not put in the effort to pursue that person any further. Going further past just what kids can do against cyberbullying, parents can educate themselves and their children about the internet and social media. Elana Ben-Joseph writes this advice to parents educating their children about social media, “The key is to stay involved in a way that makes your kids understand that you respect their privacy but want to make sure they're safe.” (Ben-Joseph). So many parents just assume their kids know all there is to know about social media and how to be safe on it; in fact, they think their children know more than them. While that may be the case, it should not be that way. If parents knew more about the internet and social media, they could educate their kids how to be safe and avoid cyberbullies. This could also prevent kids from becoming cyberbullies themselves. Ben-Joseph also states, “Make it clear that you expect your kids to treat others with respect, and to never post hurtful or embarrassing messages.” (Ben-Joseph). When parents educate their kids early it prevents them from going onto the internet unprepared and lacking safety when it comes to cyberbullying. Another option is simply just to block the person cyberbullying and report them to an adult or even to the authorities. The Cyberbullying Research Center states that, “By far the most commonly reported response by teens was to block the person doing the bullying. Nearly one-third of those who had been cyberbullied told us this had worked for them.” (Patchin). In most cases, the bullies are not invested in bullying one specific person enough to make a whole new account, so blocking them deters them and ends the harassment. Another important factor is collecting evidence if the harassment has lasted for a long time. On apps like Snapchat or any other similar platforms messages can disappear and cannot be retrieved. Taking pictures and recording messages that are sent can be turned into the authorities if the problem continues. Although this solution seems simple, sometimes the simplest things can make the biggest difference.Cyberbullying has greatly affected the younger generation and does not seem to be slowly down. However, this issue can be helped by reducing phone and internet usage at school, teaching kids how to ignore cyberbullies, parents educating kids on internet safety, and blocking any person saying or posting harmful things. The solution is simple, but the problem is not; therefore, everyone must help each other put an end to cyberbullying.
Works Cited
Abramson, Ashley. “Cyberbullying: What Is It and How Can You Stop It?” American Psychological Association, American Psychological Association, 7 Sept. 2022, www.apa.org/topics/bullying/cyberbullying-online-social-media.
Andrea Baroncelli a, et al. “Unique Effects of Different Components of Trait Emotional Intelligence in Traditional Bullying and Cyberbullying.” Journal of Adolescence, No Longer Published by Elsevier, 14 June 2014, www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0140197114000839.
Lab, Cornell Social Media. “Designing to Stop Cyberbullying: Current Solutions.” Medium, Social Media Stories, 31 May 2017, medium.com/social-media-stories/designing-to-stop-cyberbullying-current-solutions-f78d2fada84f.
Marees, Nandoli Von. “Cyberbullying: An Increasing Challenge for Schools.” School Psychology International, 20 Sept. 2012, journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/0143034312445241?journalCode=spia.
Patchin, Justin W. “Teens Talk: What Works to Stop Cyberbullying.” Cyberbullying Research Center, cyberbullying.org/teens-talk-works-stop-cyberbullying.
Hitchcock: A Bully Himself?
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Alfred Hitchcock was an absurd film director who was known for his unique, eccentric films with his own personal style. Hitchcock was also known to be quite the cruel impractical joker and not very shy around women; an article on Literary Hub stating Hitchcock was, “Socially awkward, self-​absorbed, and sexually frustrated, Hitchcock made passes at and assaults on young women” (White). Reflecting these traits from his personal life, he was not seen publicly as a bad person, but the negative qualities that are seen in his life line up with qualities in a bully’s life. Hitchcock would not have believed cyberbullying, or any type of bullying would have been a social epidemic when he had the traits of being a bully himself in his own life.
Although most might think no one would admit to bullying online a shocking number of students actually would. According to Do Something.Org “23% of students reported that they’ve said or done something mean or cruel to another person online. 27% reported that they’ve experienced the same from someone else.” (11 Facts About Cyberbullying). Now these numbers seem low, but they are still significant. Alfred Hitchcock found being cruel and torturing other people a way of being funny and normal. He did not see it as a problem. He would have admitted to playing pranks on people or bullying his way through problems, just like the statistic. The people around him could not say anything because of how well respected his work was, so Hitchcock felt like he could do whatever he wanted. That led to him taking his pranks too far sometimes. The History Channel writes “For one of his most elaborate stunts, Hitchcock bet one of his crew that the man couldn’t spend a whole night locked in handcuffs. The crewman accepted, only to later find that the director had secretly dosed him with a laxative before slapping on the cuffs.” (Evans). This is seen in cyberbullying in modern times as well. Students make fun of others because they think it is funny and end up taking it way too far. Hitchcock believed that it was all fun and games, but everyone around him saw the problem in the jokes he was making.
Not only was Alfred Hitchcock a bully when it came to playing pranks but was also known to be accused of assaulting many women he worked with on set. Literary Hub writes in an interview with Tippi Hedren, “she writes of what occurred in Hitchcock’s office. ‘I’ll simply say that he suddenly grabbed me and put his hands on me. It was sexual, it was perverse, and it was ugly, and I couldn’t have been more shocked and more repulsed.’” (White). Hitchcock was known for his great works, but in all reality the people he worked with, especially the women, did not enjoy being around him. Tippi Hedren saw firsthand what it was like to work for Hitchcock and how eccentric and cruel he could be. Although cyberbullying and sexual assault are two different things one can see how Hitchcock would not see cyberbullying as a pressing issue in today’s society when he was treating people like that in his day and age.
Not only did Hitchcock play endless cruel jokes in his personal life, but also incorporated them into his creative process. He even used jokes and terror to gain inspiration for his films. The History Channel states an example of a pranked Hitchcock pulled while directing a movie stating, “The actors were chained to each other for a good while before Hitchcock suddenly ‘found’ the key in a coat pocket and explained that the ordeal had been a ruse to help them build chemistry.” (Andrews). Alfred Hitchcock was known for his films being full of suspense, but not many people know the cynical way he got there. Hitchcock found joy in terror and horror that few people do, and we can see that these personality traits would make him more apt to relate to how bullies think and act. Hitchcock once said, “Give them pleasure. The same pleasure they have when they wake up from a nightmare.”(Goodreads). That was Alfred Hitchcock’s goal when making his films, to make people feel scared. This is also the goal of most bullies. All they want is to intimidate another person and make them feel like they are lesser than them. The National Library of Medicine states the reason cyberbullying is so intimidating rather than in person bullying is, “With traditional bullying, teachers are regarded as enforcers. With cyberbullying, there is no clear authority, and children express reluctance to tell adults for fear of losing computer privileges or being labelled as an informer.”(Peebles). Just like most bullies, intimidation was how Hitchcock was so successful in making films that were suspenseful and full of terror.
Alfred Hitchcock would not have seen cyberbullying as a social epidemic simply because of the traits that Hitchcock himself possessed. When someone even slightly relates to another person or group, they are less likely to think it is wrong. Hitchcock was known for being quite cruel and even was accused of assaulting women he was working with on several occasions. Literary Hub writes about these accounts, “Hitchcock inserted himself into Hedren’s life in ways she could not accept.”(White). These facts about Hitchcock further prove that he would not be concerned with the way cyberbullying has affected the schools today, and he would not think it is a social epidemic. Cyberbullying has taken over the school environment today, but not everyone would agree that it is a social epidemic.
Works Cited
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“11 Facts about Cyberbullying.” DoSomething.org, www.dosomething.org/us/facts/11-facts-about-cyber-bullying.
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Andrews, Evans. “9 Things You May Not Know about Alfred Hitchcock - History.” History, 22 Aug. 2018,
www.history.com/news/9-things-you-may-not-know-about-alfred-hitchcock.
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Edward White. “The Dark Side of an Auteur: On Alfred Hitchcock's Treatment of Women.” Literary Hub, 26 Apr. 2021, lithub.com/the-dark-side-of-an-auteur-on-alfred-hitchcocks-treatment-of-women/.
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Goodreads. “Alfred Hitchcock Quotes (Author of The Mystery of the Moaning Cave).” Goodreads, 2023, www.goodreads.com/author/quotes/9420.Alfred_Hitchcock.
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Peebles, Erin. “Cyberbullying: Hiding behind the Screen.” Paediatrics & Child Health, U.S. National Library of Medicine, Dec. 2014, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4276384/.
Reflection Essay
Over the course of this class, I have learned to reflect on my writing and stretch my mind into more creative thinking. Starting this class, I had a good grasp on writing but needed to work on writing at a collegiate level. The social epidemic I chose to write about this semester was cyberbullying. This topic was very interesting to write about because of how relevant it has become in our society. Throughout the process of writing my argument essay and rhetorical analysis essay I learned a lot about connecting evidence to the argument and creative thinking.
The essay that helped me most with my writing skills was the rhetorical analysis essay. This essay helped me especially with my creative thinking skills. Having to answer whether a person I did not know would think cyberbullying was a social epidemic took thinking outside of the box. In my rhetorical analysis essay I wrote, “Hitchcock would not have believed cyberbullying, or any type of bullying would have been a social epidemic when he had the traits of being a bully himself in his own life.”(Smith 1). Not only did I have to learn a lot about Alfred Hitchcock, but also what he believed and how I thought that would reflect today.
I also improved my skills of building a works cited page. I never knew before this class that a works cited page needed to be in alphabetical order. That had never been taught in my prior English classes as a part of MLA formatting. I also learned how to correctly match the in-text citations to the works cited page; which is something I struggled with before writing the essays in this course. The feedback from my argument essay really helped me with this and I was able to fix it on the second rhetorical analysis essay.
This course has helped me write more effectively and at a higher level. Researching absurd fiction authors has improved my knowledge on different authors in English that have defined that area of literature. When researching these authors, I have learned how to better gather information in general. Making sure that sources are academic is important so that the information you are getting is accurate and untarnished. Through this course I was also able to use research much better and tie in research with my thesis directly. Professor Hammett also helped me with this through feedback saying, “ Good use of research to prove claims, and great use of skills.” (Prof. Hammett’s Feedback in Blackboard). Through what I learned in this course I was able to get positive feedback in my last essay about how my research had improved.
Overall, I have improved my writing significantly over this semester. My grammar, works cited, creative thinking skills, and research skills all have been improved. I have become a much better writer and I am much more comfortable writing at a college level now. Between researching authors and learning the basic skills of grammar and writing my skills have improved. I am happy with the progress I have made in this course throughout the semester.