Analysis Of High-Tech Bullies By Ingrid Sturgis

In the article “High-Tech Bullies”, Ingrid Sturgis claims that people should do something about cyberbullying not only because it demeans people, but also because too many students are either committing or attempting suicide, and it is something that needs to be addressed immediately. Sturgis starts out her article by making readers aware of the staggering amounts of cyberbullying arising over the past decade. The article is filled with images and informational side notes that help describe the cyberbullying motives and programs that go against cyberbullying. Throughout the article, Sturgis writes about the ways that some cyberbullies may try to humiliate or harass distinct types of people (including members of the LGBTQ community or people

For example, in paragraph three, Sturgis includes a quote from Dr. Justin W. Patchin which states, “The bullies are pretty creative. Now there is a level of permanence that is not evident in traditional bullying. Early adopters are most likely to use new technology. It's amazing how creative some can be to cause harm" (19). Sturgis uses this quote to describe the diverse ways that bullies harness information from various sources and use it to hurt other people. Another example of Sturgis’s skillful use of sources is her example of Dr. Justin W. Patchin’s case study on the effects and phenomenon of cyberbullying. She connects Patchin’s case study to her claim which describes the negative effects of cyberbullying, especially through the window of social media. Because the case study focused mainly on the cyberbullies’ creativity through social media, it was perfect support for her

This is mainly because the information that she gives is centered around the basis of cyberbullying is college campuses. Sturgis is fully aware of the fact that college students are not fully mindful of the dangers of cyberbullying and the affects that it has towards others. Sturgis writes to inform the college students in a formal manner so that they can take a full grasp of how important and serious the information is. An informal approach would not take to the young adults’ minds because many are too immature and would brush off the information as a joke. The formal tone also affects the cyberbullies because the tone seems to directly state the information towards the bullies, especially towards the end of the article. Both the quotes and words that she uses are directed towards cyberbullies in attempt to warn them about the consequences that are