Case Study 3: Suicide

Introduction

Suicide is a mounting epidemic globally. With nearly 40,000 suicides occurring every year in the United States it is depressing that suicide has become the 10th leading death cause. It is even worrying that in each successful suicide that is committed there are approximately 25 additional attempts (Navarro, Yubero & Larrañaga, 2016). Cyber bullying can best be categorized as a fresh concept which has rapidly increased in the recent years. Cyberbullying can best be described as the internet or mobile technological innovation used to harassing, bullying, stalking or even intimidating other (Navarro, Yubero & Larrañaga, 2016). It is universally known that bullying has existed for the longest period that everyone can recall but with social media platforms advent such as Twitter and Facebook bullying is more traumatizing than its equation with vocal or physical intimidation. With the rise of mobile networking and social interactions, cyber bullying is often conducted by those close such as friends, colleagues or even family (Betts, 2016). The fact that bullying is performed by those close results in shame, pain as well as embarrassment that ultimately result in death given that the torture gets worse and worse.

Cyber Bullying constitutes of three major components. One of the components is that the action was done repeatedly and willingly (Betts, 2016). The second one is that the bullying cause’s harm as alleged by the targets and thirdly is that cyber bullying must have been plotted and accomplished through mobile phones, computers or any other electronic device. This makes it apparent that the alleged bullying should have caused a form of harm, conducted on repeated basis which makes the target feel uncomfortable and performed through the electronic devices (Betts, 2016). Based on the harm caused Katlyn Roman and Guadalupe Shaw should apparently be charged with a crime which is cyber bullying. This is because they Bullied Rebecca on continuous nature thus causing her to worry and lost control which resulted in suicide.  Rebecca was consistently worried in regard to what the bullies would do next in order to harm her and thus she attempted to avoid personal interactions with them in order to protect herself (Wallace, 2014). Revisiting the messages that they sent made her feel worse and this would in frequent times create a worrying sensation.

Based on Wallace, (2014) there were files that were established in her mobile phone which acts as the cyber bullying evidence. Some of the cruel texts as well as the social media direct messages are described as the major reasons for her suicide given that they were selflessly telling her to kill herself and that she would not be missed. These can be categorized as some frightening messages (Wallace, 2014). This is the justification as to why both girls should be charged with cyber bullying. In my opinion, it is true that those that die by suicide are usually expressing a form of depression that is not diagnosed. In when one hurts from depression along with other mental disorders this raises the level of suicide attempts. Suicide tends to be highest amongst the depressed individuals because the disorder creates a form of hopelessness. In this case, there is a mutual connection between depression and suicide given that studies have demonstrated that depression is a form of the psychiatric disorder that is common among those that commits suicide.

Apparently, suicide is rapidly growing into a predominant interest area based on the increased adoption of social media globally (Chadwick, 2014).  Based on the technological growth and the increased social media use cyber bullying has become a common occurrence on the grounds that it is easier to be hurt by others (Chadwick, 2014). Cyber bullying is not just a vocal but also a graphical harassment which leads to the damaging of an individual’s image and confidence. It is rather unfortunate that suicide will remain as the principal point for most agencies that attempt to offer education and support to the affected persons (Chadwick, 2014). This is because more are more individuals are adopting the technological advent without examining the risks involved. With the growing advent, cyber bullying is bound to increase and intensify thus affecting more individuals.

The two reasons that cause the differences amid the suicides rate differences globally are technology advancement and adoption. In the technology of the developed state is highly developed which implies that more individuals utilize the internet as opposed to the underdeveloped states. With increased development and high rate of adoption comes increased suicide rates (Chadwick, 2014). Suicide should be categorized as a deviant behavior given that the act violates the accepted societal norms as well as guidelines. In addition, suicide is never the solution to the existing troubles given that things can be solved entirely on different legal or personal levels. More so, suicide is a deviant act because it is a behavior that is learned which is perceived as a way out of the existing internal issues which act as an example to others (Chadwick, 2014). It is thus unethical and not be encouraged given that it is against the moral standards and guidelines of the society which might affect the future.

Conclusion

It is apparent that suicide is amongst the leading death causes especially among young individuals globally. The rise of suicide has mainly been fueled by the advent of technology and social media utilization. This is an issue that goes against the society’s norm as is bound to intensify based on innovation growth. Rebecca’s case demonstrates the general emotional as well as physical effects of cyber bullying and the need to lower the occurrences.

References

Betts, L. R. (2016). Cyberbullying: Approaches, Consequences and Interventions. Palgrave Macmillan.

Chadwick, S. (2014). Impacts of cyberbullying, building social and emotional resilience in schools. Springer.

Navarro, R., Yubero, S., & Larrañaga, E. (2016). Cyberbullying across the globe: Gender, family, and mental health.

Wallace, K. (2014). Police File raises questions about bullying in Rebecca Sedwick’s Suicide. Retrieved from http://edition.cnn.com/2014/04/18/living/rebecca-sedwick-bullying-suicide-follow-parents/