Trolling has been a big phenomena on the internet. It can happen anywhere, anytime and to anyone. Many of the biggest social media platforms have tried to regulate trolling online but there is really no way to completely eradicate the endless cycle of trolls spreading hate and animosity online. I, personally have not been a victim of trolling online, but I have personally witnessed them numerous times everywhere on social media. Whenever someone is a target of one of these trolls I have tried to step in to defend them in some way, but most of the time I fear to be the next victim of these trolls. As I use myself as an example, this is the majority of what happens online. We often have the dilemma to step up and do something about the bullying that is happening right in front of our screens and the fear of being the next victim. Many of us also have the common mindset that there is always someone out there to do the dirty work for us to stop it. But if all of us have this kind of mindset, who else is going to try to stop this online problem? It is up to many of the bystanders, the sole witnesses, of the many who are victimized by anonymous cyberbullying. With the power that the internet brings to join people together, this is one of the various ways to face these cowardice trolls. As people of the online community, we need to realize that cyberbullying is a serious problem, and that not taking any action against it will only give these trolls the opportunity to confidently torment current and future victims. If we want to stop trolling, it needs to begin from us who watch thousands be victimized by it. If there is evil lurking in the shadows, there will always be good shining in the light. Together we can defeat the anonymity that these trolls hide behind the screen of their computers. We must slowly step up to be bystanders upstanders in order to make a change in this upscale social problem online.
Trolling has become a huge part of the online community, what are some of your ideas/thoughts/opinions on how to handle this endless strain online? Have you ever been a bystander to someone being bullied online?
-Margareth Simbillo
I completely agree with what you are trying to say about being an "upstander" and not just letting the darkness of internet trolls override the internet. As a community who wants to stop cyberharassemnt, cyberbullying, trolling, etc. I think we should take small steps by firstly, reporting anything that we deem inappropriate towards someone. It may be hard to differenceit between small banter between friends online and a troll trying to inflict emotional harm. But little by little, maybe we can put a stop to this harassment online and take the anonymity that lurks behind a computer screen.
ReplyDelete-Jainah Fajardo
With the increasing numbers of situations that are involving cyberbullying, it is no surprise that you have found yourself at one point or another surrounded by these situations, and as you have mentioned, it is normal to feel torn on whether to stand up or continue on as a bystander. The fear of standing up and being the next target for cyberbullies is completely understandable; however, as you mentioned it is extremely important to find different ways to stand up against what is wrong. While looking for ways to be an upstander, sometimes it is also important to keep in mind that responding back with angry messages will not resolve any problem.
ReplyDelete-Samantha Covarrubias