It is crazy to think that we are approaching a year since Covid-19 has hit the headlines! Just when there started to be a decrease in bullying this opened a whole new door for cyberbullying. The power someone holds behind a screen is like no other. The percentage of students that have experienced cyberbullying at some point have nearly doubled from 2007-2016!
Warning signs for Cyberbullying....
~ Upset, sad, or angry during or after phone usage
~ Loss of motivation to participate in activities
~ Depression
~ Nervousness or jumpy when texting
~ Unwilling to open up and share information about their online activities
~ Withdrawn from family or friends
If you start to notice these signs in someone reach out ask if they are okay. Build a relationship with them so that they not only feel like they have a safe place but so that they do not feel alone. It is so important that you report these accounts and address the situation immediately because if the bully is willing to do it to one they will do it to others. Which is the power behind a cyberbully because they will never have to confront the person, and they can make multiple targets at once. Take screenshots too!! Many apps have added the feature of deleting a message after its sent and its so important that screenshots are taken so that when the situation is being handled they can not lie about what they did or didn't say.
COVID-19 has taken a big mental toll on all of us creating a massive increase in mental health issues. With these mental health issues it has become so easy to bully someone, because the bully themselves has either been hurt or doesn't love themselves. As we see in social media, news, etc. The amount of hatred that has entered our world is sickening. As teenagers and adults we are the role models for the younger generations who our future. We all talk about how we need more kindness and unity, but that change starts with you! What good does it make when all we do is harass each other showing children that this is acceptable. We should be doing the exact opposite during this pandemic. Hatred is not a trait you are born with it is a learned trait. Let's start teaching love, kindness, positivity because in the end things will only get worse if we don't start supporting each other. There is not one positive thing that comes out of being mean, but there are many when you are kind and loving to one another! This pandemic has shown the world how broken our society is and that a lot of fixing needs to be done. It is not too late though let's make that change, lets make that change today!
Comentários