Page 6 Campus News The Clarion \ Nov. 19,2010 Cyber-bullying occurs nationally, locally By Ashley Fortune Staff Writer In the age of the communication technology revolution and Internet-based social networking, a growing epidemic is sweeping the cyber world that has devastating ramifications in real life. Cyber-bullying is being perpetrated by and used to victimize others without discrimination as to age, race or status. The National Crime Prevention Council's definition of cyber-bullying is “When the Internet, cell phones or other devices are used to send or post text or images intended to hurt or embarrass another person.” In the past month, several cases have made the headlines due to the seriousness of what transpired. Additionally, cyber-bullying has struck at Brevard College. One student, speaking anonymously about his or her experience with cyber bullying, stated: “There is nothing more frustrating in the world. It makes you feel helpless and violated.” After first sending harassing texts, the aggressor began posting vicious statements on Campus Security Report: By Chris Novak Staff Writer • Nov. 14 - Graffiti found on front door of gym. • Nov. 14, - Graffiti found in Beam Residence hall. • Nov. 14, 9:15 p.m. - EMS called, student transported to hospital. • Nov. 15, 8:45 p.m. - North Village fire alarm. • Nov. 15 - Graffiti found in Col- trane. • Nov. 15 - Graffiti found in MS. • Nov. 15 - Graffiti found in MG. • Nov. 15 - Graffiti found in Dun ham. • Nov. 15 - Graffiti found in Jones. If you have any leads, please contact Campus Security. Space for rent! For advertising rates and more information, visit us online: www.brevard.edu/clarion Facebook about the student. The student stated further, “The administrators that were aware of what was going on were great in getting involved to help resolve the matter and getting it to stop, but they couldn’t take back what had been put out to the world. The damage is done.” Currently, there are no specific federal laws in place that protect people from cyber-bullying, although lawmakers are seeking to address this issue. On April 2, 2009, the “Megan Meier Cyber-bullying Prevention Act” bill was introduced before the House of Representatives, although it has yet to pass. A number of U.S. states, including Missouri, New York, Rhode Island and Maryland, have enacted legislation to help penalize acts of cyber-bullying in the meantime. According to the National Crime Prevention Council, there are some steps that should be taken if you become a victim of cyber-bullying. The victim should save any harassing messages and forward them to their Internet Service Provider, Social Networking Site Administrator, proper law enforcement division and employer or school administration if applicable. 2010 Cyber-Bullying Timeline: May 24: Alexis Pilkington, 17, commits suicide following vicious taunts on social networking sites, wliich continued on her page even after she was deceased. Sept. 29: iVlichigan State Assistant Attorney General Andrew Shirveii is fired for harassing the president of a gay student assembly through the creation of a webpage. Oct. 30: Neha, 18, an Indian girl attending the Siiiguri Government Polytechnic College in West Bengal commits suicide after an iVIMS featuring the girl in a physical transaction with her boyfriend was sent. Nov. 14: Joshua Simon Ashby, 20, hacks into his ex-girlfriends Facebook account and posts a naked photo of her to the website, alters her account settings to make it available to all website users, then changes her password so she could not remove it. Thanksgiving break: The dangers of the holidays By Zack Christy Staff Writer Thanksgiving draws out the congenial spirit of America and is celebrated with the respect due to any national holiday. If stories from grade school still resonate within the belabored minds of college students, then you remember Thanksgiving as the one day out of the year where the Indians and Pilgrims came together for a feast, before spending the rest of the year fighting and passing smallpox around. However such stories no longer linger within the minds of students and adults anymore. Today Thanksgiving is celebrated by turkeys, football, and families coming together, which in many cases can be more tense than the Pilgrim and Indian tables back in the 17th century. This holiday is not without its share of dangers though. While the stories of tryptophan in turkey making people sleepy are false, the dangers associated with Thanksgiving are very real. These dangers range from fire to anxiety. Over the last five years there have been more than 100 reports of turkey fryers either being knocked over or just exploding, causing more than $7 million in damage and 62 deaths, according to ABC News. So if frying a turkey is on your holiday to-do list, be careful ... and be sure to fry outside to avoid catching your home on fire. While it is a myth that the suicide rates dramatically increase during the Thanksgiving holiday, the depression and anxiety that many people feel during the holiday are very real. According Dr John Grohol, many people feel depressed during Thanksgiving because it brings back memories of loved ones who have passed or a fear of family interaction. Grohol believes that the best way to cope with these feelings outside of medication is to keep busy. So while Thanksgiving can be a great time to spend with families and kick back with some turkey and gravy, it is no time to let your guard down. Accidents do happen, but the frequency of such incidences can be limited, or eradicated by common sense. The Clarion staff hopes everyone has a wonderful and safe Thanksgiving break. E] Letters Policy The Clarion welcomes letters to the editor. We reserve the right to edit letters for length or content. We do not publish anonymous letters or those whose authorship cannot be verified. E-mail: clarion@brevard.edu.

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