The Glory Days
After binge watching 13 Reasons Why on Netflix this weekend, it made me reflect back to my middle and high school days. The days where the use of cell phones and the Internet was fairly new to us and evolving. I remember how it all started; first I had a flip phone with one camera and then I eventually got a Voyager. How pumped was I? I finally got a cool phone with a keyboard, touchscreen, video, and internet access — score! This new and exciting technology in my hands to strengthen connections amongst my peers, it also had the power to ruin it. It got me to consider the dangers associated with the digital world my generation grew up and the generations that continue to live in it.
During middle school and high school years we were at the early stages of figuring out the means of smart phones and how to use social media. As a result, the term cyberbullying was introduced into our social life vocabulary as it became apart of the middle/high experience. Originally, embarrassing photos or risky texts were sent around to other student’s phones in your school as a forward chain, everyone asking if you’ve seen it. It made situations seems one-sided and things were get misinterpreted. Sure the content may have been minor, but it made people cringe because it was easy for a large group of your peers to know personal things about you and had the ability to spread that information fast — without your control. Then it moved onto larger screens, which more and more users (especially with smart phones)could see. It was much easy to deal with bullying pre smart phone and social media era — oh the “glory” days!
I think the rise in social media helped put control back in users digital lives. Yes information still gets shared and spread, however I think personal social media for the most part stands a better chance at letting you decide. This way instead of wondering if people are spreading information about you or sharing images/content that involves you, social media accounts now put that power in your hands. The ability to post the images you want and release how much or as little personal details as you liked. It’s a matter or regulating and setting guideline when it comes to cyberbullying. The problem with this issue is the fact that you can’t escape the bullying after school. The “laughs” linger online rather than smothered in locker filled hallways; therefore the growth of social media and new forms of teasing are correlated for future middle/high school students to experience.
