Cyber-bullying over the internet or other electronics is a fairly new and growing way of harassing others. It has led to families losing loved ones, and kids missing out on life because of depression. A major concern and reason I write about cyber-bullying is that it has led to far too many suicides and suicide attempts. One suicide is too many!

Allowing cyber bullies to ruin lives is unacceptable and outrageous. For example, Tyler Clementi was a college student who was a victim of cyber bullying. His roommate leaked information about a camera he was using to spy on Tyler as he and a male friend spent time alone. Tyler then jumped off a bridge after word had been spread about him being “gay.” This resulted from Tyler’s personal life being out in public.

Cyber-bullying is especially dangerous for younger people who have not yet learned to deal with the negativity that gets pushed toward them.

Some people claim bullying does not cause a kid to be suicidal or depressed. For instance, phrases like “I didn’t mean it in a mean way”, or “it was just a joke” are typical excuses. This reasoning is incorrect because when you are directing a negative comment to a person there is no positive way to take it. Negative comments are not worth spewing because it can ruin a life. Before people direct rude comments to others, they need to take into consideration how they would feel if placed in the same situation.

So I ask you all that are reading this student voice, to be kind and respectful to all, encourage and treat others how you would like to be treated. And like mama says, “If you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say it at all.”

Jaz is a student at Watsonville High School in Wastonville, Calif. Special thanks to English teacher Marvilyn Quiroz for requiring her students to submit editorials to NewsHour Extra as a final project.