With the passing years, the way we communicate has constantly evolved. People are becoming more familiar with the digital presence, and hence, it has now become a more critical part of life than ever. As we are stepping more and more into the online world, social media usage has been rising rapidly. Not just for posting, picturing, and sharing your lifestyle, social media platforms are today being used to spread hate, fake news, and negativity. People are using their online presence for bullying people, spreading anti-religion comments, and more. All of this results in creating an unfavorable environment over the internet.
One of the major reasons behind social media negativity is cyberbullying. It is an emerging societal issue that requires significant attention. This is why we are going to discuss it. We will look upon some important information about cyberbullying and social media negativity that you must be aware of.
Understand Cyberbullying
Cyberbullying is similar to emotional bullying; however, it takes place over digital platforms and devices. It might occur via SMS, text, email, or social media. It is aggressive conduct that attempts to dominate or hurt others virtually. This online bullying is not just about sending messages but also includes posting and sharing negative, nasty, or damaging content about someone. Disclosing any personal or private information that might lead to humiliation or embarrassment online is a part of cyberbullying. Since it has a traumatizing impact and might emotionally destroy a person, it is seen as criminal and unlawful behavior.
Since social media has become a part of our day-to-day lives and millions of people use such platforms, cyberbullying often occurs there. Criminals target the platforms with maximum fallout and target their prospects and bully them. While most people misunderstand bullying as harassment, there is a slight difference between the two. Harassment is one-time conduct, but when it happens over an extended period of time and has an apparent imbalance between the victim and the perpetrator’s powers, it turns into bullying. And when bullying is via social media or other platforms, it is dubbed cyberbullying.
Cyberbullying and Social Media Negativity Tactics
To recognize cyberbullying and take the right measure at the right time, it becomes crucial to understand which behaviors are considered bullying. You must be familiar with the tactics that are being employed to hurt the victim.
- - Humiliate or hurt someone by spreading fake rumors or making offensive statements.
- - Informing someone about the intention to harm using digital media tools.
- - Publicizing someone's alleged worthlessness online and inducing them to commit suicide.
- - Posting damaging or degrading material about the victim in the form of videos, photos, or mocking.
- - Faking the personality to acquire information about the victim.
- - Stalking someone on social media platforms and invading their privacy.
- - Trolling people online and provoking them to give a negative response.
- - Passing comments related to their religion, race, gender, social level, or other characteristics.
- - Making fake profiles to deceive people on social media platforms.
Concerns Of Cyberbullying On Social Media
With the rapid increase in the use of social media platforms and the introduction of advanced features, users’ images, posts, content, information, comments, and more can be seen by strangers and acquaintances. All of their sharable content online, whether positive or negative, establishes a permanent record that acts as an online reputation of a person. This reputation is aimed at by the person who is bullying, and they try to degrade or harm it. While bullying is harmful in itself, here are some added concerns about cyberbullying.
1. Permanent: This is one of the primary concerns as a majority of information that is being communicated electronically is permanent, and in some cases, it’s public too. Hence, the negative online reputation might not just affect the mood but also impact the admissions, employment, and other areas of life.
2. Difficult To Notice: Even if you are well-versed about cyberbullying, it is hard to notice in the real world. It usually goes ignored or unnoticed.
3. Persistent: Digital gadgets allow instant and continuous communication without any time limit. It is available 24-hours a day, making it difficult for people or victims of cyberbullying to find any comfort.
How To Stop or Avoid Cyberbullying and Social Media Hate?
Both cyberbullying and social media negativity have disturbing consequences on the person who is bullied. Irrespective of its consequences, it is almost impossible to prevent it. However, several measures can be taken to stop or avoid it.
- - Set your social media accounts privacy to private
- - Don’t add unknowns or acquaintances to your friend list
- - Never share your password or provide your accounts access to anyone
- - Avoid or unfriend people who are spreading negativity or hate
- - Do not share your personal information or photos with people you don’t know
- - Learn about the cyberbullying laws and policies
- - If you come across cyberbullying or a person bullying others, report it immediately.
Keep Yourself Away From Cyberbullying and Social Media Negativity
Cyberbullying has become common conduct across multiple social media platforms in this digital age. Online presence and sharing of personal life over there make it easier for people to bully their peers or even strangers. To avoid this injustice and make the online world safer, it is essential to educate yourself and your loved ones about cyberbullying and the measures that can be taken to prevent it. To avoid being a victim of cyberbullying or social media negativity, stay mindful online and create a safer environment around yourself.
