Introduction: This project was an amazing and eye-opening experience for us. We- Trisha, Aarna, and Dishita- chose to focus on educating our community about Cyberbullying and how we can help prevent it, both locally and beyond. Our goal was to raise awareness about what Cyberbullying really is, the different forms it can take, and the many harmful effects it can have on individuals. Cyberbullying is when technology—like phones, social media, or messaging platforms—are used to harass, threaten, embarrass, or intentionally hurt someone. It is a serious issue that affects people of all ages, especially teens, and can leave deep emotional scars. In some extreme cases, cyberbullying has even led to trauma, depression, and suicide. Through this project, we learned how important it is to speak up, support one another, create safe online spaces, and be an upstander against cyberbullying to help protect and save lives. By educating others, we hope to be part of the change that makes the internet a kinder and safer place for everyone.

Gymnastics Campaign: We had the opportunity to spread cyberbullying awareness at Team Attraction Gymnastics in Apex. We chose this location as it showcases children of all ages, and cyberbullying isn’t just an issue for teens, but for children of every age. Through our campaigning at TAG, we managed to educate both children as well as parents on the topic of cyberbullying, talking them through the basics and explaining how it is harmful. We spread the word through giving small talks to parents walking in, as well as handing out flyers linked to our video, through which parents can gain more information. Though we taught others lots of useful information on cyberbullying and how to prevent it, through this experience we also learned how to be more confident while speaking and how to approach people.

Mayor Interview: We had the honor of interviewing Mayor TJ Cawley, the Mayor of Morrisville, about the impacts of Cyberbullying and how he, as a Mayor, works to prevent it. Mayor Cawley emphasized the importance of community support and awareness, stating, “Cyberbullying is something that affects people of all ages, but it especially harms our youth.” He stressed the importance of listening to those who are impacted and fostering an environment where individuals feel safe to speak up. “We need to let people know that they’re not alone and that help is available,” he said. As a local leader, he works with schools and community organizations to promote kindness and digital responsibility, encouraging young people to stand up for one another. Since one of the major places Cyberbullying occurs is at schools, Mayor Cawley noted that one way the government is trying to prevent Cyberbullying is by limiting phone usage at school. He also highlighted the role of parents, educators, and peers in recognizing the signs of cyberbullying and taking proactive steps to intervene. We were truly honored to have the opportunity to speak with Mayor Cawley and gain insight into his efforts to protect our community from the harmful effects of cyberbullying. His dedication to fostering kindness, safety, and responsibility serves as a reminder that change begins with awareness and action.

Teacher Interview: We also managed to interview a teacher at Mills Park Elementary School, Mrs. Bernier. Mrs. Bernier is a first grade teacher, and yet still has witnessed cyberbullying occur at her school, which goes to show how much of an issue it is for developing children. Through the interview, we were given firsthand accounts of cyberbullying at school, and how it affected a learning environment. Mrs. Bernier explained to us how cyberbullying reduces productivity, causing students to turn against each other rather than collaborate, and causing students to feel negative about themselves or others. She explained to us what Wake County is trying to do in order to prevent cyberbullying, and highlighted the fact that at school, cyberbullying victims should report to a teacher or parent at the first instance of cyberbullying so it doesn’t spiral out of control. Through this interview we gained a new perspective on cyberbullying, and Mrs. Bernier helped us better understand how big of an impact cyberbullying really has on youth, which is why it is extremely important to stand up against it.

Doctor Interview: Interview with Dr. Amool Ranjan Singh – Director in Charge of Ranchi Institute of Neuro Psychiatry and Allied Sciences.

Question: What advice would you give people being cyberbullied or have had any effect of it?

Answer: We should remember that each one of us is unique. So naturally not everyone is complete in his/her self. What people talk about us or form opinions about us is immaterial and we should not go based on what they think about us but we should prove that we are indifferent. If they are making fun, let them do it because everyone will eventually grow past it.

Question: Have you ever received any cyberbullying related cases? 

Answer: Yes, almost everyday we get 2 or 3 patients. We keep getting such types of patients and nowadays we get young adults rather than only children who do have such types of problems about how they look, how people look at them and opinions they have about themselves get adversely affected and develop paranoid features and are very sensitive.

Summary: Cyberbullying is a universal challenge faced by people everywhere and we felt that it is something that is commonly overlooked and never properly addressed. Seeing so many people struggle from social media and the internet made us want to make a change. Interviewing people in different fields and lines of work showed us that cyberbullying is more serious and universal than we could have ever thought. Social media can be a fun, collaborative, and safe space but people leaving rude, unnecessary comments and making fun of people online makes it hard to enjoy social media. Because of this we decided to take a step up, spread awareness, and help more people understand how easy and important it is to be kind and respectful online. Seeing people actually listen to what we had to say through our video and when we were handing out fliers showed us that we truly can make a change if everyone steps up to do their part. Now, we encourage everyone to take a stand, keep spreading awareness, and stand up for Cyberbullying and be the best cyber citizen you can be so that social media and the internet can be safe spaces for many more generations to enjoy.