Christina Endy

Mrs. Abbadessa
Honors English IV
08 January 2015
Increased Teen Suicide Rate
Over the years, the teen suicide rate has drastically increased, and this can be contributed
to both school and cyberbullying. Although there are many different factors that contribute to this
increase, school bullying and cyberbullying are the main causes. Suicide is one of the top causes
of death among teenagers. According to a large sample of US high school students taken in 2011,
victims of both school bullying and cyberbullying are at higher risk for depression and suicide
(Messias). Because teen suicide is a growing problem it is important to identify the underlying
causes and produce effective solutions.
Cyberbullying occurs when digital media is used for bullying (Messias). With the rapid
increase in technology throughout the last decade a new form of bullying has emerged. The
computer screen, phone screen, etc. gives the cyber bully a sense of security. Due to the fact that
the cyberbully feels hidden and anonymous, they feel they have the ability to harass the victim
without facing future consequences (Davison). By virtue of this expanding issue it is important
to have solutions set in place.
The causes of both school and cyberbullying include, but are not limited to: race, gender,
age, economic social status, and household employment. According to a study, Caucasians have
reported more overall bullying, compared to Hispanics and African-Americans. 30.1%
Caucasians have reported bullying whereas 23.9% of Hispanics and 16.5% of African
-Americans have reported bullying (Messias). Overall, girls are more likely to be report being

bullied (31.3% vs. 22.9%), in particularly to be cyberbullied (22.0% vs. 10.8%), while boys are
only more likely to report exclusive school bullying (12.2% vs. 9.2%) (Messias). It is possible
that girls are more likely to report bullying due to the fact that it is more acceptable for girls to be
bullied. These statistics do not necessarily represent the fact that more girls are bullied than boys.
These statistics may show that girls are more willing to report bullying. Society tells boys that
they must have this tough exterior and nothing can affect them, so when the time comes that they
do get bullied they feel that they have to keep it hidden becauses they feel ashamed and
embarrassed. Another factor that corresponds with school bullying and cyberbullying is age.
Overall, school bullying decreases from ages fourteen (32.6%) to eighteen and older (21.2%). On
the other hand, the rate for cyberbullying has increased from ages fourteen (6.2%) to eighteen
and older (7.4%) (Messias). The decrease in school bullying may be connected to the increase in
cyberbullying. As children age, their parents trust them with more technology; they begin to have
their own cell phones, computers, etc. This in turn allows teens to bully one another via
technology. A familys economic social status also plays a role in bullying. Children who come
from a lower economic social status are more likely to be bullied than a child who from a higher
economic social status. In fact, low economic children are almost three times more likely to be
bullied (Davison). Those who come from a lower social status tend to have less money to
purchase name brand products. Walking through the hallway with worn out hand me downs will
instantly label someone as an outcast. Similar to the role of ones economic social status,
household employment also contributes to bullying. According to the research done in The
Dangers of Cyberbullying parental unemployment is associated with the increase in
cyberbullying. Children with an unemployed father were more than two times more likely to
become a cyberbully. In connection. this may be due to children being angry that their father is

unemployed so they lash out and force their anger onto others. On the other hand, children with
unemployed fathers were almost two times more likely to become victims of cyberbullying.
This shows support that home-related stressors and the parent-child bond played a significant
role in cyberbullying (Davison).
Another contribution to the increase in bullying and teen suicide is social media. A Kaiser
Foundation study has pointed out that 86% of adolescents have a computer at their home and
spend, on average, at least one hour on the internet. The study has also reported that an estimate
of 80% of American teens are using social media sites (i.e. Twitter, Facebook) (Messias).
Technology is becoming an integral part of adolescents lives and their relationships with society.
With the growing form of communication, teens use social media to harass and intimidate one
another (Bryce). Social media allows the possibility for a greater audience (Davison).
Cyberbullies often seek a greater audience for greater satisfaction. A larger audience allows the
cyberbullying to feel like he has more power. With this growing problem, it is important to
protect children from not only bullies but cyberbullies (Davison). Compared to traditional
bullying, there is a stronger relationship between cyberbullying and teen depression and suicide
(Messias).