The rise of social media has influenced how we communicate to one another. As we rely more on social media outlets to express ourselves, people may find it easier to communicate inappropriately than ever before. I remember learning about how to write a letter properly in elementary school. The letter always started with a dear so and so and ended with a sincerely yours. That politeness is not found on many social media websites. Instant messages are quick, to the point and lack a certain element of thoughtfulness that use to exist.
Social media users do not have to be trained on how to write a ‘tweet’ before using communication devices. People do not have to learn basic etiquette or even understand the responsibilities that may come when using social networking sites. People can hide behind their words without the fear of physical confrontation from a receiver. Social media can easily be used as a ‘bully pulpit’.
Most recently, a young girl named Rebecca Sedwick committed suicide in Florida because she was cyber-bullied by her peers. The bullying took place over several months both physically and online. Even when her mother withdrew her from the school, the cyber bullying still took place. Although the young girls that tormented Rebecca were arrested, I cannot be sure they even understood the seriousness of their actions at the time.
Most people are raised knowing that you should be kind and respectful to other people. But today, we have “like or not like”. Our opinions can be validated or challenged. So when do our opinions cross the line? Should our social networks have some responsibility to monitor and report messages that are threatening? And should parents be accountable for their children that post these types of messages?
Regardless of how you may feel, the effects of social comments can have long lasting affects on someone. Any type of verbal abuse, threats, gossip or anything that may cause emotional harm needs to be stopped. The fight to stop cyberbullying should start at home. Parents have a responsibility to monitor teenagers or young children who may have access to these sites. Social media sites should also have a responsibility to safeguard not just our privacy but safety.
Very interesting article. I think the major problem with cyber bullying has to be the mindset of the individuals. A lot of people do not think when posting to the social media platforms. Everyone thinks and reacts differently. We must be cautious as to how and what we say. Considering the consequences of our actions is very important and can lead to a decrease in the amount of problems created.
ReplyDeleteThis has always been an interesting topic to me. I think the main reason why people cyberbully is obviously that they have problems themselves. It's also because they might not have the courage to say certain things to someone in person and actually have to deal with their reaction. Maybe it's just me but I always thought the solution of this is quite simple, turn the computer off. Block those people that are cyber bulling. To see or get access to one page on facebook or twitter you must have to add them as a friend or follow them. I just don't understand following/being friends with someone online that is bullying you. I do however feel for those kids and teens families that have harmed themselves or taken their own life because of this. I believe that if the parents check and made sure their kids pages are private could be a huge way to decrease this problem.
ReplyDeleteRobert Kinney
As a people, we never know what someone is going through and when we say negative things about someone, we aren't aware of the impact that it has. It's difficult to "patrol" cyberbullying, but I think we are all entitled to stand up when we see these situations playing out.
ReplyDeleteVery unique blog article. I can say that cyber bullying is a real problem for some individuals especially at a young age. People need to be aware of the impact they can have through social networks.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed reading this article Quimani and it will be interesting to see how technology, parents, security and other factors take measures to rectify this issue. I had a friend close to me in high school commit suicide because of cyber bullying and now stringent measures have been enacted in the school to prevent another tragic accident like that from occurring. It is sad to think that as technology increases then so will cyber-bullying and the ill-effects of social media.
ReplyDeleteBullying has been around forever. Before our generation, it was thought of as a tool to make you stronger and grow up. Now days, children are getting intimidated via social media and are scared to go to school. I think that i stop must be put to bullying but kids also need to toughen up.
ReplyDeleteThis article was very informative due to the increase of bullying through social media. While bullying has been around forever, social media has made bullying worse. From twitter to facebook to instagram and vine, social media has had a negative effect on bullying. Many people who are bullied via social media take it harder due to public humiliation and this may lead to suicide.
ReplyDeleteThere is a thin line between joking and having fun and bullying. When I am scrolling down my timeline on Instagram and I see people posting pictures about others and making fun it goes into those two categories. Some people start out trying to be fun and then it gets very harsh as it escalates. Some I find myself laughing others I find myself completely appalled that it was posted and so many people are going along with it, liking it. I do wish we can become smarter as a whole and stop endorsing bullying so that we can eradicate it.
ReplyDeleteThis article raised my awareness of cyber bullying. I feel that most of us have at one point initiated some sort of cyber bullying whether we want to think so or not. One of the downsides about using the internet is not knowing how the receiver takes the message or post. Thanks Mr. Watson for enlightening us to this ongoing issue that needs addressing.
ReplyDeleteI understand the effects of cyber bullying. Many children have committed harmful acts to themselves due to being bullied themselves. Thankfully we have celebrities such as Ray Rice (Baltimore Ravens Running back) raising awareness against the issue.
ReplyDeleteThe problem of cyber bullying is very serious and should be handled before it gets out of control
ReplyDeleteYour blog is very interesting. I like how you said that "Social media sites should also have a responsibility to safeguard not just our privacy but safety."
ReplyDeleteIt is funny that you said that because this weekend I was watching CNBC and I learned that social media, such as twitter or facebook, can provide many people information about yourself. One man, who was doing a joke on people went to random people and said "Hi, Amber...hows your sick dog" and "Hi Joe, how's your mom doing?" The funny thing was that these people freely gave this information about themselves on facebook, yet they were freaked out when the man approached them about the issues.
Also, have you heard that some cops are using facebook to fight crime? People are freely giving information about themselves on facebook.
I've included a CNBC broadcast on facebook. I could not find the one I actually viewed on tv, but this will give you a gist of what I am talking about. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NANfgPv1S4k