An Open Letter to Bullies
Dear bullies,
My name is Scott Wong and in my English class we have been completing a project about the nature of evil. A topic I chose to write about is cyberbullying. I decided to write about cyberbullying because I want to help the victims of cyberbullying, and to increase awareness of cyberbullying. I also want to help the bullies because they have to go through things at home but don’t know how to deal with their emotions. I also really wanted to do this because I felt like it hit close to home because I have friends that has dealt with cyberbullying. Through this project, I have realized that cyberbullying leads to more than just depression and self harm. I wanted to write to you specifically, because I want bullies and others to realize the dangerous effects of cyberbullying. Based on my research, I argue that bullies and parents should understand the effects of cyberbullying because cyberbullying can endanger kids physically and/or their lives, and cyberbullying will harm kids mentally.
To start, cyberbullying can endanger kids physical health or their lives. To give some context on this issue victims of cyberbullying will lead to physical harm and pain. According to Gabe Duverge, in their work titled “Digital Threats: The Impact of Cyberbullying” it states, “Despite not being threatened physically, victims of cyberbullying […] may also turn to self-harm, including cutting or damaging their skin with razor blades […] Several high-profile suicides have been blamed on cyberbullying” (1). In other words, cyberbullying can lead to self-harm or suicides. This information is significant because kids aren’t afraid of killing themselves or damaging their body. They just want the bullying to stop and don’t know how to deal with the bullying and their feelings, so they don’t tell anyone and keep it all to themselves. Would you want to be the cause for making a kid suicide? Additionally, according to Sherri Gordon, a bullying prevention advocate and author, in their work titled “The Real Effects of Cyberbullying on Children” she states, “When kids are cyberbullied, they often experience headaches, stomachaches or other physical illnesses. The stress of bullying can also cause stress-related conditions like stomach ulcers(causes stomach pain) and skin conditions. Additionally, kids who are cyberbullied may experience changes in eating habits like skipping meals or binge eating. And their sleep patterns may be impacted. They may suffer from insomnia, sleep more than usual or experience nightmares” (1). This information is significant because no one even knows that the kids will have headaches, will have abdominal pain, and will eat more or less. The information also provides the fact that they may suffer from insomnia or nightmares which equals to long sleepless nights. Overall, this data shows that bullies shouldn’t cyberbully because of the amount of terrifyingly horrible pain you put them through just because you couldn’t control your feelings, and now the kid is crying himself/herself to sleep, cutting himself/herself.
Furthermore, cyberbullying will harm kids mentally. To give some context on this issue through cyberbullying victims develop disorders and loss concentration. According to Megan Moreno, a principal investigator of Social Media and Adolescent Health Research Team, has received a Masters Degree in Public Health, Masters Degree in education, and a Masters Degree from George Washington University School of Medicine in their work titled “Cyberbullying” the article states, “Kids who are bullied may avoid going to school, have trouble concentrating in class, or even drop out of school” (1). This means that kids struggle in class because of cyberbullying. Now imagine this, you’re a bully and you want to get into a college because no one in your family has gone to college and are poor. You don’t know how to control your feelings so you bully a kid that is living a normal life and wants to get into a good college, and than the kid starts to do bad in school. He/She starts to get bad grades and can’t even concentrate, and than the victim can’t get into the college they want to get into or even worse not go to one at all. You essentially pushed the victim off to get a boost. This information is significant because it adds salt into a wound because not only are you going back home and being bullied online, but you can go to school and your grade can keep dropping and dropping. Additionally, according to Sherri Gordon, in their work titled “The Real Effects of Cyberbullying on Children” she confirms that, “Victims of cyberbullying often succumb to anxiety, depression, and other stress-related conditions. This occurs primarily because cyberbullying erodes their self-confidence and self-esteem. Additionally, the added stress of coping with cyberbullying on a regular basis erodes their feelings of happiness and contentment.” (1). This information is significant because cyberbullying can mess with a victim’s head and add depression and anxiety. It will also damage their feelings, confidence, and self-esteem. Overall, this data shows that bullies really should stop because the amount of pain you put into the victim is so much worse than you experienced that made you bully.
Some might argue that bullies have to deal with issues at home like their parents divorcing; or an older brother that bullies them, or at school like being bullied themselves that start bullying. However, it is also true that bullies can seek help from a trust able adult instead of harming another kid to feel better, and some possibilities could include your mom or a teacher. Therefore, you still shouldn’t bully others for your own problems. Victims of cyberbullying don’t deserve to be drowned in pain.
Therefore, I implore you to stop bullying. Tell the victim you’re sorry and your reasoning to bullying, and get your life together; get help. This will make a difference because the victim will be glad that you stopped and you could have just saved a life. Also while talking to him or her you can be forgiven or you could find something in common you didn’t know, and realize that they are actually an cool person to hang out with. Also getting your life together get help go talk to someone it could be anyone. It doesn’t matter if its a teacher or a dog just talk to someone anyone. They will likely have time to talk to you, and you will feel much better and realize the bullying you have done is wrong. If it’s a family problem talk to your parents about it. All your parents want is the best for you, and even though it might not seem like it because of stuff like abuse and divorce they really do. Sometimes there are some people that don’t actually want you. But if you think about it why would they keep you for so many years? They could have just give you into an orphanage or abortion.
Thank you,
Scott W.
