Without a doubt, social media and the internet itself brings you all kind of information about the world. It connects you with the seven million people that inhabit this planet. However, it could be dangerous with so many bad and mentally unstable people out there, and the ones that are more exposed to these dangers are the kids.
We know that kids are innocent and easy to fool, so harmful information reaching them could have fatal consequences, not exaggerating. Talking with some people in my community, I realized that we are very concerned about kids and teenagers who are in contact with this unlimited internet content. Our preoccupation emerged because we have lately heard about a large increment in depression and anxiety episodes in kids and teenagers due to hurtful replies, comments, posts, feedback, etc., from different online platforms, in short, cyberbullying.
We must act and do everything we can to prevent and stop cyberbullying because it could end in suicide, and sadly, it has happened before right in front of our eyes. Every time we hear about a kid or teenager committing suicide, we have failed as a society.
Itzayana Cardenas, a physical therapist and child specialist, points out, "It is important for parents always to be aware of the warning signs their children show, and never minimize or invalidate them."
Alixon Galeano, a makeup artist, and fashion designer who also works with kids pointed out, "it hurts me very much that children and teenagers are being hurt by other children and teenagers who do not measure the impact of their words. It is very sad that a little boy or girl decides to end his or her life because a bully did not like something about him or her."
Finally, Laura Garavito, pharmacist, podcaster, and professional dancer contributed by saying, "Cyberbullying starts at home. Kids grow up looking at their parents having these destructive behaviors with each other and or with others and learn that it is fine to treat others like that; in fact, it is cool. Respect is a precious value that we should live at all ages in all places."
We can always do something as friends, siblings, classmates, co-workers, parents, institutions, society, etc. Little things can make a big difference when supporting others in their struggle.
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