The United States of America is at war on two fronts, one foreign and one domestic.
The country has been at war against terrorism for over 5 years. The military which is
second to none possesses “State of the Art” weaponry that has the capability of precision
lethality. The Constitution of the United States of America gives us the right to fight
all those who are threats to our domestic tranquility.
This blog’s focus is on the domestic war that thousands of young Americans are exposed
to when the school year begins. The war effort is growing on a front where there is
already physical confrontation resulting in casualties in the thousands, but the landscape
is on a digital or electronic battlefield. Cyberbullying has claimed lives as the result of
jail sentences (convictions from bullying), suicides (by those who succumbed to stress)
and violent retaliations (from those that are bullied and fought back). The understanding
is that this was the result of severe torment and bullying in and out of school using
electronic means.
Intelligence Summary:
Cyberbullying is harassment that occurs via electronic means. It happens on Social
Media and Social Network sites, cyberbullying is similar to additional types of bullying,
it takes place through text messages sent to cell phones. The tragedy in this form of
domestic terrorism is Cyberbullies can be classmates, online friends, and even family
members, they can be in community groups and church. Bullies either cyber or
physical, do know their victims. Emailing, chatting and Skyping with friends are the
most common online activities. Naturally when kids communicate they are sometimes
playful, but that play can turn mean, destructive, resentful, harassing and dangerous.
Just as the military uses performance intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance
(ISR) missions, target recognition, bullies do the same on social media sites.
Would it take an Executive order to issue “special” weapons to stop bullying or will
parents be more involved?
Online Bullying:
The issue sounds the alarm for parents, teachers, school administration and law
enforcement that online bullying is widespread and leading to teenage suicides, and
suicide attempts. The domestic war has real casualties, American children that are
future leaders of their communities and country. Social media has opened up a new
area for intelligence gathering by bullies, and provided avenues to reach out and
digitally terrorize another person. Instead of bombs, missiles, IDE’s, or other weapons
social media and social networks are the tools of these domestic terroristic actions.
Online protocols (tools) are like tools of a digital sniper. There are no rules of this
war just inflict damage to the emotional and psychological stability of those that are
being targeted. In traditional war you avoid close contact with your enemy, there are
rules of engagement and an understanding who the enemy is and their capabilities. In
this new war of cyberbullying your enemy is in schools, in churches, attending
classes, and can look right in your eyes.
Casualties of Cyberbullying:
A study by Sameer Hinduja, Ph.D. and Justin W. Patchin, Ph.D. of the Cyberbullying
Research Center shows that there is an upward trend in the 10 to 19 year-old age group
seriously contemplated attempting suicide as a result of cyberbullying. Studies are
showing that bullying is a factor in the study that shows that those that are bullied are
at higher risk for suicidal thoughts and planning. In a national study, approximately
2,000 randomly selected middle-school students from the most populous school districts
in the United States were surveyed by National Center for Education Statistics (NCES).
The results were disturbing showing increased students reported they seriously think
about attempting suicide and students reported attempting suicide, if unsuccessful they
did not tell their parents; war creates mental and psychological stresses, bullying is the
same in creating depression, social challenges, struggled academically or creating
special needs either physically or emotionally.  Bullying and cyberbullying creates
emotional instability, feelings of hopelessness, and paranoia in the minds of adolescents,
these are some of the symptoms that Gulf war veterans face after returning from war.
Be Aware and use Wise Counsel
Parents, teachers and school administrators/counselors must be aware of the atmosphere of
the schools and many cases even churches. They must recognize the battlefield bullying
signs of conflict, low moral, rumors of plots to terrorize and bully. Counselors have a school
wide challenge to watch the emotional state of children. To be able to council, redirect
behaviors and intervene when necessary, use intelligence, stealth and counter intelligence
to learn the direction and redirect possible assaults. If delayed deadly results may happen to
students and the educational atmosphere of schools and be reflected in communities and churches..
Cyberbullying Triage:
Just as the military has protocols for suicide prevention and intervention, schools now need
bullying and cyberbullying response programs. Schools should always involve a counselor or psychologist in cyberbullying or bullying investigations as well as prevention education,
and make the immediate goal of any investigation not discipline but support for targeted
students. Events need to be teachable moments for the educational environment so they will
not happen repeatedly. The American military is a representation of American society with
order, discipline, and Esprit de corps. Schools are challenged with the threat of misuse of technology. Parents need to check their children’s social media sites and networks; even check their cell
phones for voice, data, pictures and movies. If parents do not take charge or are too scared
they are held liable to potential future tragedies. Proactive efforts by parents do intervene
before trouble, reinforce ethical uses of technology and parents are aware of what is going on.
There needs to be a ceasing of hostilities in bullying and cyberbullying, an agreement of peace and friendship. Even if parents have their children sign Internet safety agreements; violation should be dealt swiftly and fairly. American’s must be united against the domestic threat bullying and cyberbullying.