This week, we discussed cyber-shaming/vigilantism and digital footprints. There were many topics introduced, but my main takeaway is how the internet can make or break your life. For some, the internet can give you joy, it can make your daily life easier, and can even give you unimaginable fame. For others, the internet can shame you, berate you, and break your life.
Imagine a scenario where one teenager posted a racist comment as a joke between friends (I know a very basic one). Imagine if that post goes viral, the comments berating and shaming this one teenager would be horrific. Not only would they be shamed online, but it would also affect their everyday life. There would be repercussions and consequences at home, at school, everywhere. Now with the internet, the consequences won’t go away, their digital footprint will always remain. It’s interesting to think about how one message, one post, or one picture, can derail your life completely. The internet is just code, but you throw people’s thoughts in and you get a community that can be hurtful or helpful. I believe that it’s important to realize that there are always consequences, and with the internet, they don’t go away. For this scenario, do you think that it should alter the rest of their life? I’m not saying what the teenager did was wrong, but how is someone supposed to move on with their life when the internet is constantly reminding them?
After watching Monica Lewinsky’s TED Talk, I especially like the one line where she said “I was seen by many, but actually known by few” (5:13-5:17). I think this quote is amazing as it reveals how you are only seeing a fraction of whom that person truly is. So should we judge them by it? We judge one person by one thing they said, who would ever tell you that’s warranted? Now, of course, every situation is different, the circumstances can be extreme or mild but do they always warrant shaming someone for the rest of their life? I don’t think so. People change, whether you believe it or not, everyone changes.
Cyber-shaming today is insane, it’s normalized to constantly berate others for something they posted online or even their actions getting shared online. It has come to a point where no one is safe, ever. Even if you aren’t on social media, others can post you and berate you for something as simple as your complicated Starbucks order holding up the line. Does that warrant being berated? Just because you have a complicated Starbucks order.
I believe that cyber-shaming is a problem, it’s become unimaginably normalized by society and it’s everywhere because you can be shamed for anything. My point is that the internet is scary for everyone, one mistake whether huge or small can derail your life. This isn’t the community we want, we don’t want online shaming but everyone still does it. Everyone wants a supportive online society, but no one puts in the effort to make one.
Lily your post was highly informative, and I really liked all the points you made. I especially like how you said, “Everyone wants a supportive online society, but no one puts in the effort to make one.” Like what a true point! Everyone talks big talk about taking care of each other and having good mental health but then they turn around and do completely opposite things. I liked your point of view here.