We dedicate this website to those who have lost their loved ones to cyberbullying, and also to those who have been affected by it.
About Us
Maya Kawashima
Stephanie Merlicek
Creating this website appealed to me as I have come across many instances of cyberbullying, and raising awareness of this issue is needed.
What shocks me the most about cyberbullying is the acceptance of it online.
I remember playing a game where I was verbally abused so much that I wanted to stop playing all together. Even my peers said I need to 'toughen up' that it is just what people say, if you want to play this game this is what you have to deal with.
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I hope this website can help and some of these examples can resonate with you. As cyberbullying is not okay and it is not something that you have to live with just because you are online.
To me the issue of bullying is a personal one, where I have experienced it at schools both here in Australia and also in Japan (where I was born). The effect of being bullied is far-reaching, sometimes which can stay with you for many years.
Whilst I have not experienced cyberbullying (as I finished secondary school before the advent of social media), I honestly cannot fathom the nebulous 'new frontier' of cyberbullying, especially on young people. Consequences of being cyberbullied include developing symptoms of depression, anxiety, poor self-esteem, truancy and suicidal thoughts (Denmark, 2014).
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Working together to combat this horrendous type of bullying (let alone all type of bullying) is absolutely critical.
Reference
​Denmark, J. (2014). Cyberbullying as a Peer Group Process: Perspectives from the Preteen Student. ProQuest Dissertations Publishing.