This article will discuss why social media causes cyberbullying, which you can take action against.
I also refer to a previous article on how to combat social media cyberbullying (which you can also read).
1. Negative attitudes:
When people are exposed to negative or stigmatized content, they have a negative association of that content.
Social media is a large part of our everyday lives.
If you are involved with social media, you must be constantly aware of the potential for this phenomenon.
Cyberbullying is a problem that can run rampant on social media platforms. Here are a few of the risks and steps to follow if you notice you are a target:
- Loss of trust.
- Reputational damage.
- Relationship damage.
Even if you aren’t currently being cyberbullied, if you receive negative comments on your posts, take notice that this is a warning sign of a growing problem.
Social media has made it easier than ever to meet new people. Whether you are a high school student or an adult in a city, chances are that you are already on social media.
What you need to watch out for is other users who can be negative and malicious.
2. Negative media views:
If you have an unhealthy worldview, you will find yourself drawn to negative media content.
The world of news is filled with the sensational and sensationalized, making it difficult to have a well-balanced perspective.
Some examples of negative media views are:
- Death and violence in war and abroad.
- Violent crimes, crime, death, addiction, homelessness, and suicide.
- Drug use, crime, and addiction.
- Rapists and murderers.
- Gay and lesbian content.
- Misinformation.
- Feminism.
- Posting inspirational quotes and videos.
Cyberbullying is a problem that can grow and perpetuate itself. Studies show that 50 percent of Americans believe that there is an epidemic of cyberbullying.
However, if you have the right tools to combat this problem, you can learn how to battle cyberbullying.
3. Fear of disapproval:
If you are unsure about what is right or wrong, then it is difficult to make wise decisions.
However, if you are fearful of being criticized for your beliefs, you will automatically gravitate to situations that could generate a negative reaction from others.
Online users get online because they want to “get away from it all.”
The more you learn to battle cyberbullying, the more you will understand that people want to be loved and supported.
If you use social media to create an environment that does not support or share messages that are judgmental, it is likely that this will lead to cyberbullying.
4. Fear of losing a relationship:
While online content can break friendships, it can also save a lot of time.
If a user is forced to choose between spending time with friends and engaging in cyberbullying, they will usually chose the friendship.
The social aspect of online communities is one of the reasons why people are attracted to these types of platforms.
Social media users need to realize that their online profiles can hurt their relationships with friends and family.
If you are involved in cyberbullying, there is no time like the present to take action. What are some of the tips to battling cyberbullying?
Take some time to review the following tips and start combating this problem.
5. Stop posts that send negative messages:
Cyberspace is filled with users who post a message about an event without the entire situation being transparent.
Some users will post several things without the first being factually accurate. This type of post is a cry for attention and can be difficult to confront.
When you see a post that causes you to feel confused or otherwise upset, it is easy to ignore.
However, if you see an unconfirmed report about an event, you should share this report with others.
You can either start a conversation with the person who posted or report the post to Facebook, YouTube, or Twitter.
By doing so, you are able to initiate an active conversation that can lead to a productive outcome.
6. Avoid saying something that could cause a violent response:
Many of the negative comments on social media are just opinions and rumors. One common thing that people will do is say something that has no basis in fact.
This can lead to users having very strong reactions to the words that are shared with them.
For example, an individual may comment on an inflammatory post that is not true, but he will do so anyway.
If you have an opinion that you need to voice to others, then do so in a civil manner.
By learning how to combat cyberbullying, you can use the internet as a platform that supports your growth as a leader.
You are able to be a positive influence to others by engaging them in healthy conversations and conversations that support your values.
Cyberbullying is something that should not be tolerated.
Use the tips in this article to learn how to battle this problem.
