Students react to cyber bullying suicides

The recent suicides of Rutgers University student Tyler Clementi and 15-year-old Billy Lucas of Greensburg, Indiana have drawn attention to the torments of cyber bullying, especially in regards to homosexuality.

“Cyber abuse is a very real event that is happening all over the world that needs to have more attention directed towards it,” Samantah Young (‘11) said. “Cyber abuse is much like bullying in schools and should not be ignored or thrown to the side as unimportant.”

Growing concern of online abuse is not limited to the homosexual community.

“I could potentiality see a big turning point for the gay community in the fact of tolerance and acceptance and understanding,” Tyler McCubbin (‘11) said. “I don’t think it should be targeted toward just the gay community. They need to look at curing bullying as a whole, not just concerning one community.”

Cyber bullying leads some victims to suicide. Marcus Turen (‘12) was one student who realized the immense issue of cyber bullying and its impact.

“It’s irresponsible, and many don’t understand the consequences that can come from it,” Turen said. “It’s tragic that we live in a world where a click of a button can lead to someone committing suicide.”

Student Life staff at Luther are aware of this type of bullying and are prepared to take action to prevent and stop it.

“All of us [Student Life staff] are concerned about the latest incidents that have arisen from cyber bullying,” Vice President and Dean for Student Life Ann Highum said. “We’ve had a few instances where it has occurred on campus.”

Taking action to combat this problem can be simply talking to staff who are trained to deal with this type of bullying.

“[A student can go to] one of the harassing conduct officers Greg Peterson, Leah McCrea, Erin Flater, or me, because it is a form of harassment,” Highum said. “We would work with the person: what happened, how did it happen, what’s online right now. We would see what we could trace ... and if it wasn’t anonymous, we would start an investigation and try to work out a solution.”

Talking face-to-face is the best way to solve a problem.

“At Luther, we have an obligation, all of us, to keep talking, to keep developing our communication skills so that we can talk over problems with people, so we don’t have to resort to cyberspace because it’s not the place to solve problems,” Highum said.

Many groups across the nation have begun speaking out against online abuse. Columnist Dan Savage has created a YouTube channel titled “It Gets Better,” where people of any sexual identity can speak out in support for those being bullied and abused. Contributers include Ellen DeGeneres and President Barack Obama.

Facebook is currently teaming up with the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation to rid any sort of hate from its social network and the Internet as a whole. MTV networks have produced an iPhone application titled “Over the Line?”, which allows people to post their experiences with bullying. Users vote on whether bullies were over the line, treading on the line or under the line.