High-Tech Bullying

The author of this article, Elizabeth Landau, interviews Brandon Turley, a senior in high school who was previously bullied in middle school. Turley explained how kids would torment him as he walked down the halls being called a "fag" and a "fatty". He was constantly cyber bullied, however he said that is seemed like people who had never met him were the ones who were saying the most hurtful things. Now, as he moves on to college, he is finally beginning to speak out about the injustices of cyber bullying. His story, along with many others, have started to provoke debates about whether there should be more policy's that restrict kids' ability to say hurtful things online. Statistics show that kids who were cyber bullied "were more likely to say they had considered suicide." Research has revealed that kids who are bullied experience mental issues later in life, including severe anxiety, depression, and antisocial personality disorder. Turley, who had attended three different middle schools in 6th, 7th, and 8th grade, soon found a website called WeStopHate.org. This non-profit organization helps kids to find safe environments and gives advice on how to deal with bullies. He encourages everyone to view the website in order to learn about the dangers of bullying.