Depending on your age, you may remember being taught, or your children being taught, about “cyber bullying” at school. Well, apparently, some slipped through the net and have decided they can say what they like about whom they like when online. Now, whilst we are huge believers that everybody is entitled to their own opinion, there is always a time and place to voice them and understanding this will play a huge part in helping people think before they act online. 
 
Internet bullies have been a problem with social media since it was first created. Employers have been known to refuse prospective employees over comments they have made online in the past. We’ve seen footballers get into trouble over comments they’ve made. Unfortunately, this has become such a major issue that people are taking their lives over comments made online. Sure, you may be reading this thinking ‘sticks and stones’ etc. but maybe you are lucky enough to never have been on the receiving end of disgusting comments made by complete strangers. Only now that somebody with a bit of fame in Caroline Flack has taken their life due to online trolls that people are starting to take this seriously but quite frankly it’s too little too late. 
Our founder, Carys Dayne, has said the following: 
 
As the owner of Specky & Ginge I know my team live and breathe social media – we love it, but when we hear news like this that online comments have played a part in a young woman’s death – I am both appalled and disgusted that people see fit to use the platforms for trolling. 
Let’s keep social media for what it was intended for – to be social and remember if you can’t say anything nice, then maybe shut the f**k up?” 
So, on that note and to serve the purpose of the blog, here are 6 top tips to consider when using social media: 
 
1. If it makes the person/people it’s about feel bad, do not promote the post. 
2. Report posts/people you deem to be offensive. 
3. If you wouldn’t say it to the person’s face, don’t say it online. 
4. When posting, or commenting, ask yourself “do I really need to say this?”. If the answer is yes, consider how your words would make you feel if you were on the receiving end. 
5. Be a good example for your followers/friends. 
6. If you wouldn't say it in front of your Nan - then don't! 
 
Now you know how to act online, what can the social media companies do to help? A large factor in this is that, since there are no real identity checks when creating an account on any social platform, people can hide behind a screen with no real consequences of their actions. This leads to foul attacks on people both famous and not alike. Perhaps an identity check where people must submit a picture of their driving licence or passport when creating an account will make people think twice about spreading hate online. 
 
What do you think social media companies should be doing better? 
Share this post:

Leave a comment: