Don't Be A Bystander

Online violence has become more and more prevalent in the social media universe. Abuse isn't only a physical element, people are being attacked and harassed online. Too many people are just standing by and doing nothing. If you see someone being harassed online, you should step in; don't be a bystander. Intervention can sometimes be the biggest show of support that anyone can do for a victim of online abuse.

Carrie Rentschler's article in the Guardian, Online abuse: we need Good Samaritans on the web, shows some vital facts of the abuse of people in the online environment. 18 - 29 year old's are among the highest percentage of online abuse witnesses, and most of these people are Hispanic and African-American, and women are the highest receivers of "sexual harassment and stalking online."

I agree with Rentschler, in that, people need to be educated about the online violence and ways to prevent it. Witnesses should not be afraid to speak up for the victims while also fearing repercussions from the attackers.