Bullies: we have all seen them, they're pushy, loud and mean. But not all bullies fit the profile, especially today's bullies. They are not as easy to spot.
Modern bullies hide safely behind their computers and cell phones, making their victims miserable from the comfort of their own home. Speaking of home, that once sacred place has become invaded by the cyber-bully; people who use social media like text messaging, Facebook, and MySpace to torment or embarrass others.
The effects of a cyber-bully can be long-lasting, not just in our memory but in written word and full-colour photography for two billion people to see on the World Wide Web.
It can be pretty embarrassing to have a rumour or bad photo of yourself circulating at school or the office, but when it comes to the Internet, that Friday night photo is on there for good and can be viewed by virtually anyone. Considering that 61.3 million people use MySpace an average of three hours per day, a damaging photo or post may get a lot of views.
I have heard people say that if you don't remember getting bullied as a kid, you were the bully. As I look back, I must admit that I experienced life on both sides of the fence.
I never saw myself as a bully so much as someone who likes to argue, a debater as I like to say. In fact, I often get into heated debates about what I write in this weekly column.
The views I express on this page are not written in stone, they are printed on paper; malleable and easily changed. My views and opinions are not as steadfast as my morals, which are solid and ingrained, but change with age, experience, circumstance and knowledge.
Things change, people change and friendships end. This is why people must be cautious about how much personal information they allow on social network sites and think before posting something online or texting.
Because of modern social media, bullying has become easier and more intrusive in people's lives, making it unbearable for some. There have already been a few suicides related to bullying this year in Canada, mostly by teenagers.
Youth are starting to realize that they can make a difference by standing up to bullies (57 percent of bullying will stop if someone intervenes in the first 10 seconds). Join our youth for Pink Shirt Day on April 13 and show them you support a bully-free community.
