Cyberbullying
This is a project about cyberbullying. Cyberbullying has always been one of the social phenomena that came to my attention in my media studies. I would like to publish blogs through my research combined with virtual diaries of a virtual victim to show the occurrence of cyberbullying, the dangerous threats cyberbullying poses to people, the characteristics of digital media technology, and the groups that are more vulnerable to cyberbullying.
Victim's Diary
Today, mum made a delicious dinner. But I'm not in the mood to eat. Yesterday I posted a vlog of my own shooting and editing on YouTube. The content is very simple, but it is just about trying on clothes I like, my cat eating, and my weekend life going out to the beach with my friends. My family and friends all gave me likes and comments. That vlog got some attention because it's simple and real, and I'm really happy about that. But there are some comments that criticize me. They commented on my figure, saying I was ugly in any clothes, and they also said that I walked like an ostrich. I just have a hump...There are others who criticize my looks. I don't understand why they take the time to watch my videos and make bad comments if they don't like my videos. Have to admit I haven't been in the mood for anything else since I saw those comments. Maybe get some sleep and you'll be fine tomorrow...
I just got a call from a stranger, I don't know his number, but the guy just started yelling at me to stop uploading my vlogs on youtube because those vlogs polluted his youtube. He also said that both my editing and my shooting were terrible. I couldn't help but want to argue with him because I think about a lot of factors every time I shoot and edit a video. But the guy threatened to report my account if I continued to upload videos. I do not know what to do. I love my video content and my friends are so supportive, I don't know what I'm doing wrong. And what scares me the most is how that person found my phone number. I haven't posted my phone number on youtube. Is it through Facebook? Or via email? This is so scary.
Some strange people showed up at my door today and were yelling at my window. They were talking dirty and calling my name. I was scared and told my dad. Dad was very angry and went out and drove them away. I don't know these people. How did they know my name and my address? I can't help but think of those people who have been scolding me on the Internet a few days ago. Could it be them? I'm really scared.
There are suddenly more people scolding me on the Internet today. It's all meaningless and simply slandering me that upsets me. They all look like fake accounts that have just been registered. I don't know who would buy these fake accounts to scold me. Both my email and the comments under my youtube channel are filled with a lot of abuse from these people. So much so that I can't see the people who like me and support me. I realized I might have been cyberbullied. But my parents told me not to worry. I shouldn't care about what these people say because there are many people who support me. It must be so.
I can't take it anymore. I can't use my phone because as soon as I open my social media I see people abusing me. I don't understand what I'm doing wrong, I'm just sharing my life. I couldn't even study and started to avoid inquiries from my classmates and friends. I told my mom that I don't want to go to school, so I've been in my room today. Occasionally cry, do not want to eat. I just logged out of my youtube account, I really can't stand what those people say. I'm angry and wronged. I don't know what to do.
I realized that I shouldn't be slumped like this anymore. I was unhappy all the time and couldn't focus on everything. I had a conversation with my mom the other day and decided to go for psychotherapy. Through the conversation with a therapist, I realized that I was indeed being cyberbullied. I try to be optimistic. When I finally got up the courage to confess my recent experience with my best friend Julie, she reassured me that she had also been cyberbullied. I am grateful that I have caring parents and friends. I reopened my social media accounts. I found that there were still many strangers comforting me and criticizing those who scolded me in the comments. I should be strong. Tomorrow I will go back to school and start my life again. I want to share my experience with my classmates and influence more people to pay attention to protecting their privacy and preventing cyberbullying online.