Online Bullying key words: cyberbully, troll, bystanders, upstanders, etc.

Going online isn’t as simple as we may think it is. It’s almost literally entering into a different world. On the internet you can be a completely different person. Sometimes, you don’t even have to be a person- going online as an anonymous user, or ‘guest.’

This can be a great thing! Sometimes people will use the internet to make donations, or do something for the greater good. Even better, people will go on as anonymous to keep the attention on what they may be supporting rather than put on themselves.

However, this can also be a terrifying reality for some people. Going on the internet as anonymous, or guest or someone else is, not only, really easy, but it gives people the opportunity to take advantage of others. For example, if you don’t like someone at your school, you can go online and bully them without anyone knowing who you are.

This is a terible reality and so easy, because if no one knows who you are t here’s no way to hold you accountable for your actions. What’s even worse is that because these trolls are hiding behind their screen and they don’t have to see the reaction of their victim, people think the consequences aren’t as bad. However, a lot of the time they can be far worse.

People have faced eating disorders, humiliation, depression, isolation and the worst death. Going online and failing to take into account the repercussions of your words will not only affect you, but it can have even more dire consequences on your peers.

With that being said, first order of bussiness is: think befoore you speak. Not everyone will agree with what you say. However, when you take great care in thinking of who you could offend you may be able to avoid a lot of dram. Second of all, stand up and call out! When you see bullying going on, don’t stand by and watch it hapen. Stand up for the victimes, because it could save their life. Not only that, but if you know who the troll is and theyre a good fried call them out on it, or turn them in. Some times doing the thing that will urt the m ost is actually doing all parties a kindness. Be mindful and pay attention and always spread positivity! You never know who you could be affecting.