Has Cyberbullying become an acceptable practice? What does this say about those who cyberbully and support this? What can we do about it?
INTRODUCTION
The Internet can be a wonderful place. It allows us to connect with friends and family, learn new things, and explore exciting worlds. But sometimes, it can also be scary. We have all seen examples of mean comments, hurtful messages, and personal attacks online.
The image above shows an example of this. The words are ugly, hateful, and designed to hurt someone deeply. This is cyberbullying at its finest, a challenge that has become prevalent to express disagreement, and to which there is little being done to combat it.
Cyberbullying has become commonplace, and it is done because twisted people think it is OK to do it without consequences. It is incredible what people do when they are invisible. Most would not write what they do if they had to put their names to it. Cowards all.
Below, we look at some of the issues.
WHY DO PEOPLE CYBERBULLY?
Why would someone write such horrible things to another person? It's a complicated question, and there’s no single answer, but we can explore some common reasons:
Lack of Empathy: Cyberbullies often lack empathy. They struggle to understand how their words might make someone else feel, and they do not care. In many cases, they have not had to face cyber-attacks, and they believe there are no consequences. They may think twice if they would lose their jobs, friends and family, or freedom.
Fear and Insecurity: Sometimes, cyberbullies are insecure and afraid of themselves and their life situation. This leads them to deal with their insecurities by striking out, which gives them a sense of power by hurting others online.
They may lack a job or face other personal crises and see immigrants or anyone who supports immigration or disagrees with their perceived saviour as a personal threat. It is always easier to blame someone else for what one thinks is wrong with one's life rather than looking inwardly at oneself. Remember, as a kid, someone probably struck out in anger at you with a “F***** You. Then they would walk away. Cyberbullying is the same. It gives a 30-second rush; it feels good for a few seconds but does them no good. It does not change anything – all they think of is that 30-second rush.
Anonymity: The internet can give people a sense of security through anonymity. They think they can hide behind their screens and say things they would never say to your face. This anonymity makes it easier for them to be cruel and hurtful, as they believe no one can find them to deliver consequences.
Peer Pressure: Some people cyberbully because they want to feel like part of a group. They band together because they see strength in numbers. They will do what the leader does because they see that person as their saviour, who has convinced them that he can improve their lives. What happens when he doesn’t?
WHAT ABOUT THE WRITER?
The message in the image reveals troubling things about the person who wrote them. They show a lack of respect, empathy, and basic human decency. The language is extraordinarily vulgar and shows a significant lack of emotional intelligence. Instead of trying to solve a problem or taking responsibility for their life, the person chooses to use cruel and insulting words that can damage another person. These messages reveal the writer’s vulnerabilities, insecurity and possibly pain, but this doesn't justify their horrible actions.
HOW CAN WE CHANGE MINDS?
Changing the minds of cyberbullies is a challenge, but it’s essential to try. There is no silver bullet or quick fix, but here are some ways we can help:
Education: We need to educate people, starting at a young age, about the importance of empathy, respect, and responsible online behaviour. Schools, families, and communities must work together to teach kids how their words and actions can affect others. We need to talk openly and honestly about how the Internet works and the responsibilities that come with it.
Emphasize Empathy: We must encourage people to consider how their words will impact others. Before posting a comment, they should ask themselves, "How would I feel if someone said this to me?" If 1,000 people asked the writer this question, we may gradually reach them.
Promote Responsible Online Behavior: We must encourage kids and adults to think before they click send for a post. It only takes a moment to pause and consider before causing someone harm.
Consequences: It is essential to establish clear consequences for cyberbullying. Online platforms should have strong policies against this behaviour and appropriate punishments for those who engage in it.
Support Victims: Victims of cyberbullying need our support and understanding. It's crucial to let them know they're not alone and deserve to be treated with respect.
Reporting: If you see or experience cyberbullying, report it. Learn how social media platforms address the issue. They cannot just ignore it.
Positive Reinforcement: Let's celebrate kindness and positive interactions online. Encourage people to spread positivity and support each other.
CONCLUSION
Changing ingrained behaviours and personal situations takes time and effort. How do you lift people up who feel so degraded because of their social or economic situation? Do you do that by increasing their fear of losing financial or medical support or by making them believe they will not get support facing the ravages of an environmental crisis? Do you get a change when they think the immigrants are the problem?
Change of behaviour is a long and challenging process. You cannot convince people otherwise as they have no basis for believing anything different than they presently face. To attack this issue is a whole new story.
Best wishes ...
"Facts that Matter" is a path to a better understanding of things that affect us all. Global Warming, Climate Change, the Circular Economy, politics and much more. Our goal is to make knowledge available to help you make informed decisions based on the "Facts that Matter."
Comments