Cyber Bullying

A topic that I hate but am so passionate about. The internet is great for so many things, yet it is a curse at the same time. We have free range of access of information, the information is provided right at our fingertips, we can meet people online we otherwise would have never known...the lists of benefits goes on and on. However, there are so many downfalls to the internet* and social media one of the huge issues being cyber bullying. Bullying is something people usually associate with elementary school, the playground, or pushing and teasing. But the truth of the matter is, bullying has gotten worse and worse over the years, resulting in the suicides of too many young lives. It is not just happening at schools on the playground, it happens at home, on the street, over texts, over emails, and over social media. Social media and the internet have allowed people to hide behind a computer screen and say some of the most disgusting and degrading things to individuals, some who they never have even met.

My first question to anyone who has cyber bullied is "Would you ever say that to the person's face?" Most likely the answer is no. People find comfort in hiding behind a grey face or fake username, just to tear people down. Secondly, have you never heard the expression "If you don't have anything nice to say, then don't say anything at all?" Why are derogatory and horrific comments needed? What is the purpose of telling someone "Go kill yourself!" or "You are worthless, I hope you die."? Are you really living such a sad and pathetic life that you need to seek enjoyment out of tearing others down? Third, do you know everything that the person is going through? No. Do you know why they behave the way they do? Most likely not. Then why in the world is your negative opinion needed? I can tell you something, it is not.

I wish that with all the media attention that cyberbullying and suicide has received in recent years it would decrease the rates that cyberbullying is occurring, but unfortunately it is not. I have seen grown adults in their late 20s and 30s post some of the most horrific things on social media calling individuals "deadbeat whores" or saying things like "I hope you overdose on drugs and die." You would think by adulthood individuals would be able to understand right from wrong. Your frontal lobe develops by age 25, this is the part of the brain that is involved in decision making and executive functions. You would hope that individuals over age 25 would realize that cyberbullying someone online is not a smart decision, but apparently many don't.

I have also heard people claim that when individuals complete suicide because they were cyberbullied it is because they are "too sensitive" or need to "toughen up." How would you feel if every day you logged online and had numerous messages taking about how you should kill yourself, nobody loves you, the world would be better off without you? Even for the strongest person after a while it would take a toll on them. These same people then claim that these individuals should just "log off." I think what these critics fail to realize is that social media, especially in the younger generations, has become a staple. It is how everyone communicates. If you get harassing text messages every day are you going to just not use your cell phone? No, because it is one of the main forms of communication. Times have changed and so has bullying, but laws against bullying and action towards stopping it need to keep up with the times.

So even if nobody reads this post, I know it is out there. If you are thinking about cyberbullying someone, I challenge you to take a step back and evaluate your life. Why do you feel the need to send a hateful message to someone online or through text? What good is going to come from sending this message? Is sending this message really going to make you feel better? If it is, you need to evaluate what is lacking in your life and creating that void in your heart that can only be filled by hatred towards another person. If you are being cyberbullied, tell someone. IP addresses can be tracked. People can be found. Suicide or self harm is not the answer. And never believe what they say. And to anyone else, feel free to spread awareness about cyberbullying. It is a step that needs to be taken if anything is ever going to get better.

*(Side note: if you want to read a great book on the internet and its shortcomings despite all the wonderful advances it has provided us, check out "The Shallows" by Nicholas Carr.)