It is amazing me how often language is used to terrorize and bully others. People sit behind computer screens and tear down fellow human beings simply because they can hide behind an anonymous name and destroy the mindset of others.
There used to be a time when insults were only spoken in public or written in notes. A child being bullied could go home, shut the door, and try to forget the terrible children in his elementary school. Now when he goes home and hides in his bedroom, his phone vibrates in his pocket and reminds him that the bullies are still there, still tearing him down.
He throws the phone across the room, but the phone still chirps––a happy noise for a terrible message. The bullying is inescapable. Children of all ages find it humorous, if not fun, to tear down other kids as a hobby.
Language was created to communicate between one another, but not in the way so many people are today. People from ancient times were lonely, so they decided to bridge a barrier between other people and created a system to share ideas, thoughts, and inventions.
Working together helped save many people from dangers and helped make humans the species they are today. Language was just the beginning of what was to come––civilization, art, science, education, and so many other pursuits that are unique to humans alone.
Ancient people did not make language to tear each other apart––to create division inside of their already lonely and challenging world.
Today, we may have more innovations, but that does not reduce the need to come together, share ideas, and be kind.
Children are bullied each and everyday, but it’s not just children. Adults are critiqued and ridiculed for the smallest of mistakes. On any platform, it would take just seconds to find someone disagreeing with someone else.
But how often are those disagreements about genuinely important things? How often are those disagreements worth typing out and voicing?
Language is a form of self-expression, but recently it has become a way to create division and highlight differences between others. Rather than comment negative things on videos and pictures, why can’t we positive things? When we see things we disagree with, why can’t we watch them without tearing down the other person’s perspective? Why can’t we hear the other side without immediately jumping into an argument?
Social media has become a platform for division and argument rather than collaborating and enjoyment as it was intended. But how do we change that?
One by one, we need to change our language and behavior. We need to make language something positive again. Language and social media were both created to bring people together, but now they’re both being used to tear people apart.
When you use social media, be mindful of what you do and don’t say. Don’t tear others apart––compliment those you agree with and ignore those you don’t. And always remember that there is a difference between a discussion and an argument. When discussing controversial issues, make informed statements and be respectful to the other person even if you strongly disagree with their perspective.
Listening and speaking wisely is a valuable skill––it shows that you can be respectful and open-minded more than any insult you throw.
We shouldn’t be afraid to talk about issues, but we also shouldn’t create division by bringing issues to light. Help change social media––use language wisely to spread love and kindness, not hatred and division.
Remember that child from earlier? Children all over the world are experiencing a new type of bullying that most parents can’t even imagine. Instead of perpetuating that experience, use your language for good––compliment them and remind them to keep going. Above all, remind them––and everyone you meet––that the world is a better place with them in it.