Skip to main content

The Urgency of Educating Our Youth: Preventing Cyberbullying Starts with Us




In today's digital age, the internet offers endless opportunities for connection, learning, and creativity. However, with these opportunities also come significant challenges, one of the most pressing being cyberbullying. Recent events, such as the heartbreaking incident involving Stanley, serves as a stark reminder: sharing private or embarrassing photos of others is not just hurtful, it's also against the law. Cyberbullying doesn't just harm the victim—it can have serious consequences for the perpetrators as well.

Imagine being Stanley, now a victim of cyberbullying, whose privacy was violated when a private moment was shared online for the world to see. This isn't just a matter of hurt feelings—it's a breach of trust and a violation of the law. As adults guiding the next generation, it's essential for us to address this issue head-on.

Once something is posted online, it can spread rapidly and have enduring effects. What may seem like a harmless joke to one person can inflict real pain on someone else. Encourage young people to think before they click or share, and to always treat others with respect and empathy.

Cyberbullying isn't merely an invasion of privacy—it's a criminal act with long-lasting repercussions. The perpetrators could face legal action, damage to their reputation, and even impact their future job prospects.


We must educate our youth on the significance of their online behavior. Every post, comment, or share has the potential to impact someone else's life profoundly. It's crucial for them to understand that behind every screen is a real person with real feelings.

Let's commit to being proactive in addressing cyberbullying in our communities and within our homes to empower our youth to be responsible digital citizens. Together, we can make a difference and shape a better, more compassionate online community for generations to come.

If you're experiencing cyberbullying, it's important to take action to protect yourself and seek support. Here are some steps you can take:

Don't respond or retaliate: It can be tempting to respond to cyberbullies, but engaging with them often only escalates the situation. Instead, try to ignore or block the bully.

Save evidence: Keep records of the bullying messages, posts, or comments. Take screenshots or save copies of the conversations as evidence. This documentation may be useful if you decide to report the bullying.

Reach out for support: Talk to someone you trust about what you're experiencing. This could be a friend, family member, teacher, or counselor. Opening up about your situation can provide emotional support and help you explore your options for dealing with the cyberbullying.

Report the bullying: Most social media platforms and websites have policies against cyberbullying. Use the reporting tools available to report the bullying behavior. Additionally, if the cyberbullying involves threats of violence or illegal activity, consider reporting it to law enforcement.

Protect your privacy: Review your privacy settings on social media and other online platforms to control who can see your posts and contact you. Consider adjusting your settings to limit contact from the cyberbully.

Ebony Bagley - Internet Wellness Advocate, 2024


Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Why 'Forever' on Netflix Is the Series We Didn’t Know We Were Waiting For

I don’t usually write reviews, but after watching Forever on Netflix, I had to make an exception. As a mom raising two Black kids in the digital age, this series felt like someone finally wrote a love letter to our reality — not the exaggerated, polished or filtered version, but the real one. And I don’t say this lightly: Forever is the most relatable, timely, and necessary show I’ve seen in a long time, especially when it comes to portraying young Black love. Forever was created and executive produced, by the brilliant Mara Brock Akil, yes, the same powerhouse behind Girlfriends and Being Mary Jane. With Forever, she reimagines Judy Blume’s classic novel through a fresh, modern very Black lens, setting it in 2018 Los Angeles and centering Black teen love, parenting, and digital trauma. Forever stars Lovie Simone as Keisha Clark and Michael Cooper Jr. as Justin Edwards, two  teens exploring first love while navigating social pressures, family expectations, and digital landmines....
Post a Comment
Read more

"Is My Kid Talking to AI More Than Me?" Let’s Talk AI, Chatbots, and Connection

I’ll be the first to admit it. I love AI especially, ChatGPT. I ask her for recipes, help brainstorming  ideas, travel planning and yes, sometimes advice when I don’t feel like texting a friend. She’s efficient, encouraging, and always available. In fact, my chat even asked me to call her Nova, so I mean... it’s real out here. But even as an adult, I’ve had to check myself. Because when you start turning to a chatbot more than people, it’s time for a reset. So when I saw this article about kids forming deep connections with AI, I didn’t shrug it off. I got concerned. Not because AI is inherently bad, but because the line between tool and trusted friend is blurry, especially for young minds still figuring out real relationships.  And let’s be clear. AI isn’t some distant future thing. It’s already deeply embedded in our everyday routines. In 2025 alone, we’ve seen sites like Google, Canva, and social media apps fully shift its experience toward AI-generated results, major soc...
Post a Comment
Read more

Secret Lives, Hidden Chats, and Passive Parenting: What Netflix’s Adolescence Can Teach Us

In today’s digital world, teens are more connected than ever—but also more creative at hiding how they connect. If you think you know all the apps your child is using to talk to friends, think again. From school tools like Google Docs to unexpected platforms like Pinterest and Spotify, kids are turning everyday apps into secret chat rooms. And here’s the thing, most of these kids aren’t doing anything that terrible. But that’s exactly why this conversation is so important. As parents, we assume if our child isn’t doing anything wrong that we are aware of, we don’t need to worry. But what we’re missing isn’t about wrongdoing—it’s about connection. You should have an idea about what your child is up to online and off and work towards a real relationship with them. (partial-spoiler) The new Netflix drama Adolescence drives this home with a story of a 13-year-old boy who commits a horrific act who we later discover has been radicalized by online content, discourse and the toxic side of t...
Post a Comment
Read more