We’re all familiar with “sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me”. However, the truth is – words can be more painful than sticks and stones. With social media as a facilitator for twitter trolls and keyboard warriors ready to pounce on personal flaws of another person for the rest of the world to see.
For example – “I’m a Celeb” campmate Gemma Collins has been trending on twitter as trolls create countless memes and tweets that poke fun at her weight. Does “Freedom of Speech” really excuse you to insult someone you barely know? Victims of cyber bullying are often left emotionally scarred by the taunts and in more severe cases – take their own lives.
Social media has been turned into an online playground, with cowardly grown men and women gallivanting around calling names behind the security of their laptop screens. New UK laws state that Twitter Trolls will be sentenced for 2 years if caught – but how can offenders be caught and proven guilty in the vast and anonymous world of the web?
Words: Sanna Hamaseid
