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Bullying has been with us in one shape or form since the beginning of societal groupings but in the current world of social media it has taken on entirely new levels of scope and intensity. Pre-social media generations often have a hard time understanding why comments from strangers get taken so seriously but in many ways online bullying is more intense and harmful than bullying done directly to one’s face.
This is not to say direct bullying is anything less than toxic, destructive, and cruel. Those who experience bullying on a constant basis struggle with anxiety, depression, anger, and are far more prone to substance abuse, self-harming behavior, and suicidal ideation. These effects can be catastrophic, life long, requiring years of support and therapy to deal with. All forms of bullying need to be taken seriously and not tolerated, period.
We have a tendency to think of bullying as being relegated to the school hallways of adolescence. While the insecurities and raging hormones of our teenage years certainly make us both extremely vulnerable and far more prone to bullying it is a behavior which by no means disappears once we reach voting age. Even the briefest glance at our Western political landscapes offers glaring…