Sex, Cyberbullying, and the Mobile Phone
Cyberbullying is about an imbalance of power. It is an aggressive act involving one or more individuals who are targeting someone who is not in a position to defend him/herself. This is usually part of a pattern of repeated aggressive behavior. Cyberbullying is bullying using electronic means. Children and teens who engage in cyberbullying use electronic forms of communication to spread false rumors, gossip, and make verbal attacks (D'Antona, Kevorkian, Russom, 2010) By definition, sexting is the sending of sexually explicit messages or images usually by cell phone and is a form of cyberbullying. Cyberbullying can occur through social networks, email, and texts; all are easily accessible through a mobile phone. There are many things to consider when providing children or teenagers with a mobile phone. Mobile phones, when used inappropriately, can cause heartbreak, humiliation, suicide, depression and can lead to legal consequences. When in the wrong hands the mobile phone becomes a tool for child predators and other criminals. Unfortunately, it can even be used by adults in various cruel ways, resulting in different and often devastating situations. The phenomenon of cyberbullying is relatively new. In fact, it was first seen as a threat in 2002, when 9% of schools reported it as a problem. By 2008, that number increased to 32% (Smith et al 2013) Today, online communication is a central component for many, including young people, most of whom have grown up in a world of instant cyber connections. In fact, electronic communication is an integral part of how youth learn to navigate and negotiate through social situations. (Johnson, 2014. Electronic communication includes connecting through social media. My Space, Facebook, and Instagram are examples of currently utilized social media outlets, but the choices for social media continue to expand rapidly. Even though some social media websites require a minimum age for participation many children and teens still obtain their own access, leaving them vulnerable for cyberbullying, including sexting. At its core, sexting is the sending, forwarding, or receiving of sexual images by electronic means. As of 2014, several states including Arizona, Connecticut, Florida, Hawaii, Louisiana, Nevada, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Vermont have laws that specifically address sexting. In other states, sexting is included under pornography laws. There is an entire generation of people who have grown up in a world of instant mobile communication. Online behaviors as well as their emotional, social and legal consequences are discussed, including a section with solutions to protect against cyberbullying, including sexting. The goal is to promote responsible behavior that allows your mobile phone to keep you connected in a safe and secure environment without crossing the X rated line. The solutions will be grounded in current research. Robin D'Antona Nova Southeastern University, USA