Dangerous Online Situtions
-Cyberbullying-
Cyberbullying is using technology to intimidate or threaten other people. People have often become depressed, switched schools, and some even try to commit suicide because of cyberbullying. 1 in 10 people try to commit suicide after being cyber-bullied, and 20% think about it. It leads to health problems and issues at school. If you are a target, you should take pictures of the cyberbullying and show them to an adult that you trust, such as a parent or teacher. You should also block anyone who was bullying you, but don't take any of your accounts down- it's a sign of weakness. One of my close friends was cyber-bullied. People kept calling her rude names and made her seem unwanted. She felt symptoms of depression for about 3 weeks, until some of my friends and I threw her a surprise party. Once she realized that she was loved by all the people close to her, she felt so much better. It was hard to be around her while she was going through this tough time, but once she got through it, she was as happy as before she was cyber-bullied.
Risky Online Relationships & Sexting
An online relationship is risky when people ask for pictures. If they ask for any pictures, immediately tell an adult. The other person could be an 82 year old man who's stalking you (that would be very bad). Another event that shows that an online relationship is risky is when they ask to meet you. If you do meet, meet in a public place, such as Starbucks or a restaurant, and bring an adult. If the other person sees you with an adult, they are less likely to do anything inappropriate or dangerous. If anyone is making you feel uncomfortable online, immediately tell an adult and stop communication with them unless a trusted adult tells you otherwise. Sexting is sending sexually explicit photos, videos, or texts through digital media. Sexting causes emotional trauma in some teens. For example, if you broke up with your girlfriend or boyfriend and they had inappropriate pictures of you, they could put them on their Facebooks, Twitters, Instagrams, or Snapchats. This could then spread through a school community, to many other people in a town or state, and eventually go to the police. The police could arrest you for sending, forwarding, or asking for the pictures. This could lead to teenage depression, difficulty at school and with friends, family troubles, and more. If you get arrested for sexting, you have a permanent record, have to go on the town list of sexual assaulters, and it leads to problems getting jobs and getting into colleges.