Virginia Bencosme

2024 Scholarship Winner
Attending Johns Hopkins University

Virginia’s Essay

Cyberbullying, a prevalent and heartbreaking consequence of our technology-driven society, first entered my life when I was just ten years old. Despite not having a phone or any social media presence, I became a victim of cyberbullying, highlighting the pervasive nature of this issue. The children responsible for the cyberbullying were students who went to the same afterschool program as me. They were older and sat at the same homework table as me. At the time, I was a shy and quiet girl who mostly kept to herself. I didn’t draw much attention to myself, and prior to the cyberbullying incident, had never caught the attention of a bully looking for an easy and vulnerable target.

One day, a friend approached me, revealing the disturbing truth: a boy from my afterschool program had posted a defaced picture of me on social media. The image, taken from the afterschool website, was filled with insulting drawings. The comment section included harmful commentary where the boy openly discussed their belief that I should die and didn’t deserve to take up space in the world.

One post and several hurtful comments later, my whole world began to crumble. I felt powerless and anxious as I heard about the post and saw it on my classmates’ phones, knowing that without a phone or any social media of my own, I couldn’t report the post or see it for myself to send to my parents.

The emotional impact was profound. Throughout the day, I felt a mix of worry and embarrassment, knowing that other children had witnessed the hurtful content. When I returned to afterschool, I found myself paralyzed with fear and shame, unable to confront the bullies seated across from me. I began to dread school. The whispers of children gossiping followed me as I walked through the halls, and I was too afraid to seek guidance from my parents and teachers.

Eventually, an anonymous student reported the incident to the school which led to a collaborative effort between my parents, afterschool administration, and school to remove the offensive posts and comments from social media.

After my cyberbullying experience, I participated in cyberbullying advocacy events and presentations. For me, this experience illuminated the extensive reach of cyberbullying and its profound impact on victims. The emotions stirred—embarrassment, shame, depression, and loneliness—highlight the urgent need to address this issue. Advocacy against cyberbullying should not only involve creating resources for victims but also focus on educating the public, promoting digital empathy, and implementing systemic changes in social media platforms to prevent harm at its root.