The Dark Side Of Social Media, Cyper Bullying/Trolling & false people

Just listening to the Dr Phil show on Cyper bullying and how rampant it is in America. So much so that he needs to do a show, to openly raise awareness for this fact. The many teenagers etc who have died by their own hand due to the Cyper bullies influencing them to make a decision.

Also trolls on Facebook and Twitter. I know this is not unusual. Where do these people get off, they do not have a conscience or appear not to anyways by the comments they make and what they say to individuals. These people should be charged, especially when it results in the death of someone because of what is said online.

But when are we going to go and stop this stuff from happening in the first place. People should have warnings on their account and if they continue to put people down and abuse then they should be locked out of twitter or Face book or any other social media site.

This problem is not just in the USA its EVERYWHERE. So damaging!

How many individuals are being targeted because of social media. You can take a picture and it can be out in cyper space in a matter of seconds, and once its out there for people to see its very hard to keep ownership of that pic.
Same when you make a post, people read it instantly! and these posts are not just directed at friends, but the public in general and all of a sudden your thoughts, your emotions, your life is out there for the world to see.

It has not be unusual to receive requests for friendship, for dating through Facebook from people you have never even heard of. Someone who just sees your picture and wants to make a connection. These people could be on the other side of the world. Of course i always decline. But what happens if your in a vulnerable state and lonely some people may be tempted to accept, especially if the picture of the fella, or lady seems genuine and nice in appearance.  People fall in love with the idea of the ideal partner. There are people exploiting that fact. This can lead individuals down the wrong path, a negative path, towards, rape, exploitation, forming an attachment with someone and most of the time they turn out to be just a picture of the ideal and not the real deal.

Its so easy to steal someones picture and plaster it as your own. How do you know that who you are communicating with really is in fact that person. You can test them out with questions etc, but lets face it people such as these are trained with responses, they do their research and make up stories, identities, children, lie about their age, their location, and they always have an excuse for not fronting up.

So in effect its safer to not engage with these ones in the first place, and only stick to those people in your friends list, and those you know.

The fact nobody actually gets training as to how to deal with social media in the most effective way. Its a matter of common sense, and realising that it is a public medium thats open to everyone. So when you keep that in mind, theres a lot you need to still keep private. Don't give out your address or phone number, your previous places of work, you can be tracked down. Even your exact location.
Literally you cannot trust anyone. Sounds harsh to say that but if  you keep that in mind you will protect yourself and safely use these social media sites in the right effective way.

So what is the point of Facebook then? Facebook is literally a place where you share whats going on in your life with friends and family and make friends with other friends, friends.  You can share photos etc, but remember the INTERNET is FOREVER, teenagers need to know that when you type something or post something it is there forever.

Twitter is well a little harder to explain, its just sentences, thoughts, opinions, there is the damage that bullies can get a hold of the thread of your conversations and run with them. There can be put downs, there can be people telling you to end your life, intimidate, put u down, threats, best to delete and block those people straight away and make a complaint to Twitter.
Twitter can be used in a positive way though to have engaging conversations with others, to explain point of views and brainstorm ideas for change. To get someone else to comment on a avenue of concern, or something topical in the media who know wheres the conversation can go. Internet can be positive and does positive things and widens minds to the possibilities. You can share funny vids, inspiring quotes, and videos, and other content that just improves your state of mind.
But being aware of the dark side is also very important!

Instagram is my favourite site in the fact that you can choose who sees your content and  you have control over where it goes sharing it just between family and friends. Photos, and comments, videos.

There are other social media sites that Teenagers mainly use like Ask Fm! in my view these are dangerous sites and create self esteem issues, and encourage trolling, and negative feedback. Kids can put any question out there and expect an answer. What happens though when the wrong answer is received, and instead of it being a positive piece of feedback its negative and puts you down, violates how you feel about yourself inside, and the comment eats at you. Thats damaging, thats dangerous, and thats what puts people down a negative path towards self harm and suicidal actions.

I think its healthy to share media on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, even youtube
 and other sites  but its also important to keep some stuff back for yourself!
Being a private person is not a bad thing. You do not have to share everything you feel, or every little experience.

There are days and days I can go without sharing in Facebook or twitter. Because I get sick of my own writing, my own mind state, and I do not feel I have anything to add of substance. But also I get tired of sharing and just want to hold stuff back keep some mystery about myself and not be an open book for everyone to read.


Just remember in conclusion that SOCIAL MEDIA is a means to use. But it DOES NOT OWN YOU

You can choose the content that goes up there,

you can choose who you allow to follow you

you can choose who you block


and at the end of the day you can choose to exit social media sites,

leave

and switch off!

Because believe it or not life does exist outside of social media !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!