Chapter 16 Persuasive Speaking 491see it happening. • Several organizations have Web sites that provide
information you can use to be part of the solution. The Facebook group
Don’t Stand By, Stand Up! is a student-led organization formed soon
after the suicide of Tyler Clementi. The group urges Internet users to
take a stand against cyberbullying by recognizing that bullies—in all
forms—rarely succeed in their harassment without the support and at-
tention of bystanders. The National Crime Prevention Council Web
site gives specific tips on how to thwart a bully’s attempts. The first is
to refuse to pass bullying messages along to others—whether via text or
photo messaging, social networking, or e-mail—and to let the original
sender know that you find the message offensive or stupid. Despite your
best efforts to keep your personal information private and speak out
against cyberbullying, you may still become a victim.
Online safety expert Parry Aftab’s Web site, Stopcyberbullying.org,
advises victims to use the “Stop, Block, and Tell” method to respond
to bullying behaviors directed against them. Though often taught to
younger children, this response makes sense in any case of cyberbul-
lying. After receiving a bullying message, you should first stop. In
other words, do nothing. Take five minutes to cool down, take a walk,
breathe deeply, or do whatever will help to calm down the understand-
able anger you are feeling. Then, block: prevent the cyberbully from
having any future communication with you. This may mean anything
from removing him or her from your social networking site’s “friends”
list to having your cell phone service provider block the bully from be-
ing able to call or text you. The third step is to tell someone about the
abuse without embarrassment or shame. For example, you might call
campus security or confide in a counselor at the Health and Counsel-
ing Center—particularly if the abuse has been going on for a long time
and you feel that your self-esteem or relationships have been affected.
Similarly, parents of younger children should encourage their children
to report any bullying to a trusted adult.
Today we’ve ventured into the very real—and very dangerous—
world of cyberbullying. We’ve seen cyberbullying’s negative impact on
people of all ages. We’ve also seen how you can counter this potentially
deadly problem by being vigilant about protecting your personal infor-
mation and speaking out against cyberbullying. And if you or someone
you know experiences cyberbullying, you can react constructively with
the Stop, Block, and Tell method. •
Cyberbullying isn’t just someone else’s
problem. It’s very likely something you need
to guard against now or in the future—as a
student today or as a parent tomorrow. I urge
each of you to make a personal commitment
to do your part to combat the problem. Refuse
to stay silent in the face of cyberbullying. •
Resolve that you will never send or pass along
cyberbullying messages of any kind, no matter
how harmless doing so might seem. This act- This transition summarizes
the previous point and previews
the next one.
Elijah uses appropriate facial
expressions to convey the
seriousness of his topic.
- Elijah signals the conclusion
of his speech with a summary
of his main points. - Elijah issues a call to action.