Almost half of 1,089 11 to 25-year-olds questioned for the Safety Net report had experienced threatening or nasty social media messages, emails or texts.
Two-thirds said they would not tell their parents if they experienced something upsetting online.
In the last 2017 PEW Research survey, 66 percent of adults witnessed online harassment, while 41 percent of us have been victims. Almost two-thirds, 67 percent of young people in this same survey, said they have experienced some form of online abuse.
There are no boundaries.
From parents to teachers to doctors to celebrities to politicians — no is immune from being the target of online abuse.
When adults are the targets, but they are also the ones throwing the insults, how do untangle this web of digital hate to viewers, especially children? Aren’t the grownups supposed to be the role models? In some cases, aren’t they supposed to be people we respect?
In today’s world, your online reputation can dictate your future. Whether you’re applying to colleges or interviewing for jobs — your name will likely be put through the Google rinse cycle.
It’s not only your social media content that will be reviewed, more importantly is your online behavior. How do you interact with others in cyberspace? Your online behavior is a reflection of your offline character.
Never doubt your you don’t a second chance to make a first impression — today that first impression is likely your digital one.
6 Ways to improve our digital responsibility as role-models:
- Become an up-stander when you witness cyber-hate.
- See something—say something. Discuss offline about online inappropriate behavior.
- Think twice, post once. 15 minutes of humor is never worth a lifetime of humiliation.
- Guidelines for safe sharing online.
- Be constructive with your comments, not combative. (Hate can perpetuates hate, click out if you can’t control yourself). Anger is temporary, the Internet is forever.
- Report, flag and talk about harassment. (Make sure your kids know these features).
Learn more about preventing, surviving and overcoming digital disasters, cyberbullying and other forms of incivility in Shame Nation book.
