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First Draft - Position
First Draft - Position
Mia Camarillo
Oscar Martinez
English 1302
25 March 2024
Social media platforms have become integrated into people’s lives without having an
awareness of the issues they bring into a person's life. Users on these popular platforms have
been the cause of many psychological issues others have experienced due to cyberbullying.
Cyberbullying is a common form of bullying many people experience once in their lives, and is a
major problem that causes mental issues, self-harm, and self-esteem issues. Cyberbullying is also
a significant reason for many suicides. Rates of cyberbullying have remained frequent because
there are little to no punishments or restrictions towards the offenders. The federal government
should maintain a greater focus on cyberbullying and the issues it causes in people by
experienced causing psychological issues and the development of trauma. For the greater
protection and safety of citizens, the federal government should crack down harder on
Unfortunately, cyberbullying is a grey area that is often forgotten about until the physical
problems it causes are shown. For example, author T Xiangyu mentions that people who have
experienced racial discrimination through social media have a likely chance of developing
mental issues. The result for the victims that experience this type of cyberbullying is indulging in
substance abuse, “dealing with racism through social media caused stress, anxiety, depression,
and substance abuse”. People lack that support system when it comes to cyberbullying which
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makes them believe a better alternative to cope is becoming dependent on substances. Similarly,
author Omer Jaafar states that experiencing cyberbullying is a leading cause of the praise of
substances for the feeling of escapism. “Cyberbullying affects a person's mental health as it also
affects their self-esteem and confidence and can also be a factor in becoming dependent on drugs
or alcohol” (Jaafar). Jaafar can acknowledge that cyberbullying affects a person psychologically,