Today, February 9, is National Stop Bullying Day. Cyberbullying wasn’t even a word before the invention of social media. In fact, my spell check says it’s NOT a word. But with the onset of social networking, we bring along all aspects of human interactions, for better or for worse.
Of course, no one wants a child to feel bullied or experience the kind of pain that goes along with being bullied. Who wants to hear a child say something hurtful to another child? But what about adult pain?
That being said, I thought I might start with my own actions. I’m often surprised by what adults are comfortable saying on Facebook or Twitter. I wonder if they would say it if they were standing in front of a room full of people? I’m pretty sure they’d take more time to say it in a less offensive way. In honor of National Stop Bullying Day, I’m going to mind my social media manners and take the time it takes to make sure I’m not saying something that might be hurtful. If it’s something I wouldn’t say to a group of friends in the flesh, then I shouldn’t say it to a group of Facebook friends.
Here are a few great resources for cyberbullying …
http://www.stopbullying.gov/cyberbullying/index.html
Bulling is so much easier now with the ability to strike from a safe distance with social media. I believe bullying has always been around, but when it can be done with no worry of confrontation, it just encourages cowards to do things they would not have the guts to do in real person. This day is important to bring awareness that bullying has got to stop. It has cost lives as well as hurt people who are vulnerable!