Social Media Bullying

The Internet has managed to find its place in our lives and is here to stay, it doesn't feel like a non-living entity anymore. We find ourselves handicapped without the internet now. It has taken the centre stage and has become the backbone of every countries growth. Its importance has increased many folds. It is omnipresent. It takes different roles, at times it is our go-to friend our companion, our boss, our guide, our helper and sometimes it can also turn up against us and become our enemy.

No doubt that the internet has helped us in increasing our standard of living and have opened many doors for us but it has also played its part in effecting many lives adversely, up to the extend where it has become fatal. It has become a tool for creating a social hazard. Cyberbullying is among one of them. Cyberbullying is when a person becomes a target of actions by others that are intended to make unsolicited comments online that are often embarrassing, humiliating, tormenting, threatening or harassing in nature. It is done purposely and is usually ongoing.

Trolling is a similar process where a troll leaves vicious inflammatory comments in the public comment section. The only difference we see here is that a cyberbully targets a single person whereas trolls seek attention from the general public by posting venomous, harmful and nocuous comments. They want to shift the attention of the viewers from authors content to themselves. 

Be it trolling or cyberbullying both are relentless. It can reach a victim anywhere, anytime. It is a new trend that spares nobody. They wait for you to make the smallest mistake and make everyone aware of that which can damage your feelings, self-esteem, reputation and mental health. Because it spreads quickly to a wide audience it is surprising to learn that most teens are participating in it some way or the other either as a bully, a target or a silent observer without even realizing what they're doing. The best way is to restrict yourself from showing any kind of interest and not to respond to their comments. By doing so we can avoid the distress caused by this mayhem.