Persuasive Essay

Why should house bill entitle an “Act of defining and penalizing the crime of cyber-bullying” otherwise known as “Anti-Cyber-Bullying Act of 2015” be passed?

       Cyber bullying is a type of bullying carried out in the internet through the use of social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter. Cyber bullying happens when a person uses offensive language directed at another person which may hurt that person's feelings. Cyber bullying has also caused some people to resort to self-harming.

       Cyber bullying can be very damaging to its victims, especially to adolescents and teenagers. It can lead to anxiety, depression, and even suicide. More than 1 in 3 teenagers have experienced threats online, and according to cyber bullying statistics there are approximately 2.1 million cyber bullies and 2.7 million cyber bullying victims.

       The former Budget Secretary penned HB 5718 entitled “An Act defining and penalizing the crime of cyber-bullying” or the “Anti Cyber-Bullying Act of 2015.” By penalizing acts of cyber-bullying, people are encouraged to become more responsible citizens and make them accountable for their cyber-actions.

      It is stated that cyber bullies who will be caught will be fined at least P50, 000 but not exceeding P100, 000 and it is also possible to be imprisoned for a minimum 6 months to a maximum of 6 years. By passing these acts, it is hoped that cyber bullies would stop harassing others online. Due to the anonymity that the internet gives us, people therefore have the courage to say harsh things without realizing that they could possibly hurt someone. There are adults that engage in cyber bullying and just as when teenagers do it, the consequences can be just as harsh. There are people who have lost their jobs, their families and even their sense of self all because of cyber bullying. Technology has the ability to record or recall situations which include cyber bullying and many of them have become part of studies that looks into why cyber bullying occurs and how it can be avoided.

       We need to let everyone know that being silent while being hurt is not a good thing. We need to teach people to ask for help and not to endure the pain for themselves. If they don’t allow the cyber bullies to use them, to embarrass or torment them, cyber bullying will be quickly stopped. It seems impossible but everything will be worth the effort once cyber bullying is stopped. In the end, our children will be safer online and offline. We will have helped create a generation of good cybercitizens, where we are controlling technology instead of being controlled by it.