Negative Effects of Social Media: Cyber Bullying

                     The United States vs. Lori Drew

Social media comes in a multitude of shapes and sizes and has taken the world by storm. When used correctly, social media can produce an infinite amount of benefits. This includes establishing new relationships, reconnecting with friends and family and the freedom to express your thoughts and ideas. However, many people argue that there are more negative outcomes to social media than positives. I would have to agree with this statement. Some of the general complaints and negatives associated with social media include more time online, less face-to-face interaction, posts that could affect future jobs, false impersonation and cyber bullying.

Cyber bullying has become much more popular in recent years due to the increase in social media. Cyber bullying is defined by Webster as "the use of information and communication technologies to support deliberate, repeated, and hostile behavior by an individual or group that is intended to harm others." It is reported that within the past year approximately 43% of all teens within the United States have experienced some form of cyber bullying.

A severe case of cyber bullying occurred on October 17th, 2006, when Megan Meier, age 13 received a message from Josh Evans stating, “The world would be better off without you.” Megan had never physically met Josh, but she cared deeply about him. His words hurt her terribly and she was found dead twenty minutes later in her closet.  Megan had hung herself. The saddest part of the story is that Josh Evans did not exist. He was merely created by Lori Drew to pry into the life of Megan Meier and discover her feelings about her own daughter. Thankfully Drew was arrested in 2009. This just goes to show how serious cyber bullying can be.