The Blood Sport Of Cyber Bullying

We live in the 21st century.We pretend to think we are more civilized than those who came before us. But, are we? Let’s find out.
Around 1st BC in the Roman empire, there is this blood sport called gladiator games. Where the warriors who sometimes voluntarily but most of the time without any choice participated in these events. You all know what happens in these events. Most of them will die, a lucky few will survive only to participate and die in the next event. There are thousands of people watching and cheering for these events. They relish the bloodletting, they cheer for every death. But ultimately it’s only there to meet their own bloodlust.
“Cyberbullying or cyber harassment bullying or harassment using electronic forms of contact. Cyberbullying has become increasingly common, especially among teenagers. Harmful bullying behavior can include posting rumors about a person, threats, sexual remarks, disclose victims’ personal information, or pejorative labels (i.e., hate speech). Bullying or harassment can be identified by repeated behavior and an intent to harm.Victims may have lower self-esteem, increased suicidal ideation, and a variety of emotional responses, retaliating, being scared, frustrated, angry, and depressed. Individuals have reported that cyberbullying can be more harmful than traditional bullying.”[1]
So what is the link between now and the past you may ask?
Because we still like to enjoy these kinds of blood sports. But now not much public, we prefer the privacy our home to do that. We like to watch people getting eviscerated by vicious campaigns. Sometimes we even like to take part in these events. Instead of sword we now use words, Tweets, comments, blogs, Facebook posts etc to achieve the same high. Oh, the high we get from tearing apart this unknown person. Who may or may not committed a crime, may have misspelled a tweet, inadvertently published one of his or hers private pictures. We don’t care about the person we want to get that high. So I ask you what is the difference between now and the past. Oh, I know we wear suits now. We are so civilized. There is no actual blood so it’s okay, is it? You don’t know what’s happening with the person you attack, some of them may experience a mental breakdown, Some of them may commit suicide. Are you willing to carry the guilt that you are responsible for a person’s death? It’s a proxy murder. Unless that was your intention.
Who makes money from the misfortunes of others?
Well, you already know the answer. The thousands of gossip sites that populate the world wide web and some famous unnamed social media websites. Do you know how they make money? through you every time you visit a website, every time you click an advertisement you are making money for them. You are contributing to the suffering of your fellow humans. So next time you go online stop clicking those headlines that offer a juicy gossip instead be a better human do something positive. Every person who visits a website increase the value of that website. So to maintain that rating, they publish the same rag they know their reader enjoys, to do that they have to create new victims. So avoid the click baits.
Do something positive, How can I be a positive influence?
The Internet is a dark place, Most of us want to conform to the norms and live by. We never raise voice for the helpless. When we see a person getting bullied we either take part in it or be a bystander. Remember tomorrow you can be a victim. There will be nobody there to help you. so for a better tomorrow invest in your present. Do something good next time you go online. Support a person who is getting bullied. You will get the similar feeling when you help an unknown person on a street. Try this today. It is easy to be a bully but, try to stand up to a bully that takes courage. We are all courageous persons. At least remember that you have done something worthwhile today. you helped a fellow human being. Be a upstander instead of a bystander. Don’t let things happen by you. you may be saving a human life. A kind word will lift a persons spirit. Realize the effects of your action. You are the silver line in a dark cloud. Do it with the hope that Someday somebody will be that silver line for you on your darkest days.
Let’s change the internet, bit by bit. Start a revolution for ourselves and our future generation. Be better human beings than our ancestors. Spread love instead of hate. The world is already a dark place. Let our virtual world will be a solace from that. So next time you see a bullying happen, be an upstander for the victim.
[1] Citation from Wikipedia
[2] First Published on shafeer.info