Grow a pair and think before you share

Life may knock you down and leave you all alone but it can also knock you down and provide you with someone to help you up and tend to your needs. Some people are even strong enough to bring themselves up, but deep down the hurt is still there. Whichever one of these scenarios fits you best, they all somehow leave a mark on you that will remain there forever.

Recently, a friend of mine came across an Instagram profile which was full of images with captions meant to bully and harass a certain individual my age (15/16 years old). Let’s call this individual Mr. Smith, for anonymity’s sake. I do not know Mr. Smith personally, neither do I know the relationship between him and the person behind this Instagram account.

Among these hellacious captions, which I do not intend to share here due to the vulgarity they include, this account offended not only Mr. Smith but also his family and friends. One of the captions also suggested that Mr. Smith should commit suicide. My friends and I reported this account and one of us called 179 (the Maltese support line for situations like child abuse, domestic violence, addiction problems, et cetera) to let them know about this situation.

We do not know what history Mr. Smith has with the bully. Though no matter what that history is, sharing sensitive and personal information and photos of Mr. Smith and his relatives publicly for all the world to see is unacceptable. And so is encouraging him to kill himself.

Unfortunately, there are thousands of people like Mr. Smith all around the globe. It is not the first time we have heard of people committing suicide or inflicting injury upon themselves due to cyberbullying.

Being behind a screen tends to give bullies some type of power to coerce others into doing something harmful to themselves. Sadly, they often succeed to do so. Here is what I have to say to you, dear cyberbullies.

Technology may be permitting you to commit these heinous actions but it is also technology that will screw you up. Hiding behind fake profiles to harass others may easily turn against you. Technology may let you get to your victim and mess with their head yet it may also lead to you getting your very own spot in a prison cell.

Remember: technology is in favour of you as much as it is against you. Stop being cowards. Grow a pair and think before you share.

All these words may just be repetition to many of those who are reading this. Despite this, stories like this must be shared, perhaps someday these abuses will miraculously come to an end.

As I said in the beginning, not everyone has the same response to getting knocked down in life. So wouldn’t it be easier to not knock each other down in the first place?

If you are going through a tough time, feel free to get in touch with me in whatever way you deem best. I will be more than happy to try and help you out. Stay safe!