Bullying takes many shapes and forms, and today it takes even more than ever before. In the height of social media, it's so simple to type mean comments about someone from behind the screen, with no regard for what that person will feel when they read what you've said about them.
This week, I've come across the usual amount of cruel comments and opinions on social media, but one grabbed my attention in particular. It was an article written by another Odyssey creator on the subject of something rather controversial. This article got an immense amount of shares and reactions, but it also got a shockingly large number of rude comments and highly opinionated rants. The first thought that came to my mind was "What if that was my article?" I am an Odyssey writer just like her who puts my work out there for the whole world to read, and what if people were saying these cruel things about me?
I instantly felt sad, not only for the targeted writer but for the people on the other side of the screen who wrote these comments. They genuinely thought it was okay to say these things about her and her work, and that is simply not okay. I know they would never be able to say these things to her face, so what's the point? How will leaving a rude comment about her and her writing benefit them? Why even bother reading the article in the first place?
I have a sneaking suspicion that the answer to all of these questions is highly centered around the individual behind the screen. Maybe they say these things because it makes them feel better about themselves. Subconsciously, they know that the author of the article has a platform to voice her opinions, and they don't. This is their chance to say what they want because they know this girl can not fight back. Everything happens behind the screen. They will never meet her in person. They will never see her reaction to readings these nasty comments. They will never witness her second-guessing herself or her writing abilities after someone leaves a comment like "This is so poorly written, she should just shut up."
The bullying we are all familiar with has evolved from the playground to the internet. Social media is not a platform for bullying or an outlet to say cruel things about others just because you want to, or just because you can. It is easy to spiral out of control and leave that mean comment or tweet that subtweet telling someone to "kill themselves" just because you don't agree with their political affiliation. Everyone you say these things about will eventually see what you wrote, even if you think they won't. They will, trust me. So be the bigger person and fight the urge to bully online. You will gain nothing from it other than making someone feel bad about themselves for no reason.
I will leave you with this video I came across recently. Next time you have the urge to say something mean to someone on social media, think about what it would be like to say that same thing to their face.
