Teen violence in reality is one of those things people seem to overlook. According to www.loveisrespect.org, one in three adolescents have been victims of many forms of abuse: verbal, physical, and emotional. Bullying degrades one’s self worth and the way they look at themselves.

From a young age, we are told to watch what we say, even if it is a joke, because some people may take it the wrong way. We are taught that words can destroy lives. I personally believe that words can go a long way, be it in a good or bad way.

Everyday, we are exposed to bullying. A large majority of bullying occurs in our schools, making the hallways a dangerous ground to pass through. We all are familiar with "The Boy Who Cried Wolf", and today the word “bullying” has taken on the same connotation. This is becoming a big issue among youth today that can’t receive help because no one knows if they are being serious or not.

With the advancements technology has brought to our generation, bullying has evolved. Now, all we have to do is simply charge up a screen and type our thoughts out. Cyberbullying has become a major way to bully teens in the last few years.

Smartphones are used as weapons now. Cyberbullying within popular apps such as Twitter and Instagram has blown up tremendously. Whether it involves celebrity bashings or simply making a rude comment to another student, everyone sees it and yet nobody seems to make any action to stop it. Next time, think about what you post and how you communicate to other people. Your actions affect those around you. Observe yourself from the outside and ask yourself, “Am I a bully?”