An Editorial from Mandy
In my three years at “The Echo,” I’ve never really been inspired to write an editorial. And I’m not inspired now; I’m determined. Over winter break, “burn books” began popping up on the popular social networking site “Facebook.” Anonymous users stole other people’s pictures and wrote dirty comments about the respective person in public view. People flocked to these pages and flipped through the photo albums, enjoying this cyber spectacle.
We aren’t actors in a witty teen movie; Urbana High School isn’t “Mean Girls.” Dear people who hid under anonymous profiles and started this mess: do you have any idea of what you’ve done?
You are cyber bullies. Stopcyberbullying.org defines cyber bullying as a situation “when a child, preteen or teen is tormented, threatened, harassed, humiliated, embarrassed or otherwise targeted by another child, preteen or teen using the Internet, interactive and digital technologies or mobile phones.” While you may think it is “fun” to blatantly insult others, you are actually starting a vicious cycle of abuse that could permanently affect your victims.
Sophomore Katie Odem offered a student perspective on the issue. “When people hide behind a computer they can say whatever they want and since it’s anonymous no one can do anything. What they don’t realize is their comments seriously affect the people they talk about.”
Here’s something to think about: In this world of technology, once you put something online it is never really gone- future employers and college admission boards can see these things you write about your “friends” and acquaintances. The moment you hit “post” on someone’s wall, you cannot ever really take back the words you write. It will always exist in a file deep in the world of the Internet with your name tied to it.
So what inspired these burn books? Whatever reason you may believe to have for publicly humiliating and degrading these UHS students, surely it is not worth the potential pain you may be causing your fellow classmates?
UHS Librarian Matthew Murrey shared insight as to why teens have started using the Internet to mock and torment one another. “Bullying isn’t new, teens have just found a new venue. I don’t think people understand how pervasive and hurtful online bullying can be.”
UHS Principal Dr. Laura Taylor agreed. “{Cyber bullying} is just like writing an insult on the bathroom wall…only what you post online never gets erased.”
The damage is done regarding the burn books. They exist and can’t be washed away like slander on a bathroom stall. But we don’t have to continue the cycle, UHS, and most of you have ideas on how to stop cyber bullying.
Many students interviewed for this article said they told teachers or trusted adults if they saw an incident of online abuse. Others added that deleting hateful comments or reporting abusive content were good ways to combat the bullies.
Sophomore Mary Donahue advised students to “de-friend people who cyber-bully.”
This article isn’t intended to shame the people who started the burn books- I’m not even sure they’ll read this article. But I can’t stand by and watch my fellow students be publicly mocked online because of cyber-bullying. We are better than this, UHS. As Generation Y we are known for being tech savvy, but abusing our online privileges dates us back to the days of schoolyard bullies. Do your part and think before you write online because once you post, you’re linked to that comment or photo album forever.
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This could not have been said any better. Great job Mandy. I myself was actually in one of these “burn books” that someone took their time out to create and say nasty things. I never took action to respond, their words did not bother me, if it took for a person to have behind an facebook account i felt no need of proving to them what the truth really was. I ignore the ignorance as everyone else should do. Great article girl
There’s also a “nice” book.
i feel like this is true. whoever these people are they need serious help asap!
I am very glad you wrote this, Mandy. People really don’t realize how hurtful cyber-bullying is and I’m glad you’re drawing attention to it.
I totally agree! Cyber bullying is wrong and a waste of time.
The “burnbook” is really childish. People to me that hide behind a page , and cant and wont say it to the person face is downing about their self. they have no respect , and for them to take all their time going around searching for people’s picture just to put information about that one person i think is a waste of time. i mean i wouldnt copy and past and then think about what im bout to say , spending all my time worry about everybody’s life. who ever did the burnbook should learn to grow up , and stop talking something you dont know..
Whats the point of cyber bullying? Someone must really have no life then to just do something so stupid just to hurt someone over the internet? Come on now have more sense then that.
I totally agree cyber bullying is a waste of time and its not worth just sitting on your computer taking time to write about people. It’s a waste of time and not right it really just sounds like you need attention when u do this.
This article was really good and i hope it reaches to other. this will surely show people how they can effects other in many ways. bully is current in our time and is really becoming popular Mandy i”m glad you wrote this. the poeople that are doing this should be ashamed of themselves.
That is so true. Why hide yourself behind a burnbook or page? If you can’t honestly say it with your name behind it. Then you are a coward and never the less childish. Alot of people writing these burnbooks have to be bored and have non life. Who really has time to sit down and point out every little flaw or dislike you have towards someone? Get Real!!!!!! Grow Up