Social Network Platforms Encourage Bullying
Do social network platforms encourage bullying? Society has mixed feelings as to whether social network platforms encourage bullying or not. The internet has given teenagers a platform like never before: to do whatever they want, whenever they want, and however, they want. This may or may not encourage bullying, and in order to come to a conclusion, we must take certain factors into account.
Social network platforms give teenagers constant communication with one another and the fact that they remove conversational norms encourages bullying.
It is not easy to say something that could be negative or rude to someone’s face, therefore in past generations, bullies were not as common. However, people are protected by a mobile screen, and it is much easier to type something negative or rude from the safety of one’s home than to say something to one face, this has made it easier for people to bully one another. Every week there is a story in the news about a child committing suicide because of cyberbullying.
Facebook with its 1.74 billion active users, is the most common social network platform used by bullies. One of the most common forms of bullying on Facebook is harsh commenting on users’ self-photos. Teens who post photos are often looking for positive affirmation and end up getting the opposite. Any kind of social network platform where one can post their feelings, location, or opinion could potentially encourage bullying. Anytime a bully doesn’t agree with or sees an opportunity to make fun of a user or their post, the bully can remain anonymous and send endless taunts and insults.
A survey conducted in 2012 found that nearly all social network participants shared personal information on their profiles.
On the other hand, social network platforms do not encourage bullying. People and lack of parental guidance are what encourages bullying. Parents need to take responsibility for their children and monitor what they do. Research suggests that teenagers that use their computers privately and away from their parents are more likely to be bullied.
Social network platforms do not encourage bullying, bullying exists because it is a social network platform that can give people immediate access to whomever they want. If anyone is getting bullied on a social network platform then they should be able to block the person. Research claims that the manner in which teenagers interact online are strong predictors of bullying.
I do believe that network platforms encourage bullying. One of the biggest things that people online tend to overlook is the fact that words do hurt, saying them online can hurt just as much or even more. Nevertheless, social network platforms are here to stay and it is our societal responsibility to educate teenagers to use them responsibly.