I am definitely one that thinks our present generation has grown up soft as pudding left in a hot car on a summer day. Yet, even I have to concede that they face some obstacles that my generation did not have to deal with, specifically related to bullying.
Bullying has surely been around long before there were words assigned to define and describe it. Growing up, the cruelty was if nothing else, simple. Usually the bigger kids bullied smaller kids…the boys bullied the girls and the “cool” kids made fun and ostracized those that were less cool and just different.
In no way am I trying to minimalize any type of bullying, I am just stating that bullying is much more expansive today (though no less cruel) than it was in years past. Technology and the Internet have provided platforms that allows bullying on a global level. Gone are the days when rumors had to be circulated by word of mouth. Today the click of an icon or texts can ruin a person’s reputation for life. Add video and the possibility that the bullying will spread rapidly, even potentially going viral, is all too real.
Bullies, regardless of size or reputations of toughness, have always been cowards. Today, the Internet and social media have taken the cowardice to the next level.
People are now able to hide behind their computers or phones. Whether they chose to remain faceless and nameless, or just covered by distance to their deeds, technology has made it easier for people to bully others with minimal accountability or repercussions.
We used to have an expression called “telephone tough guys” to describe those that were real brave and reckless, usually talking to relative strangers, with things they were able to say over the phone. The protection of the communication platform allowed people to say things that would not otherwise be said if done in person. Well the Internet and social media have taken the protections afforded from either distance or anonymity to enhance bullying.
Pictures and videos can be sent to anyone in seconds. Depending on the content the Internet can allow for millions to see them. The more embarrassing and cruel the more likely it is for the images to go viral. And, people are very aware of this in choosing to use the Internet and social media as bullying tools.
There is some legislation that already exists, but it has clearly not caught up with technology. More needs to be done to make people more accountable for how easy and cowardly it is to torment people behind their relative safety of phones and computers.
While it is not exactly acceptable, we expect for bullying to take place with kids and teens. It’s not an excuse, but immaturity, lack of knowledge and empathy are usually at the forefront of bullying behavior. However, now it seems that Social Media and the Internet have lead to increased bullying by adults. A group that has no excuse whatsoever for the unacceptable behavior. The telephone tough guys (and girls) are now terrorists on the Internet, emboldened by the secrecy and safety of their smart devices to commit dumb cowardly behavior.
As much as I think society has gotten soft, we must all unite against bullying. Do not give these cowards the platform to callously hurt others without accountability and repercussions.
#bullying, #socialmedia, #Internet, #accountability, #maturity, #revenge, #kindness, #empathy
