Despite the fact that this topic had appeared several times within the span of time I have been here in MCGamer, I feel as if I hadn't elaborated on such matters like this because of such severity. Perhaps I did before, but I'm quite unsure on whether or not I actually did. However, it is simple as it is, cyber bullying is another aspect of the flaws from the human race. And this topic can easily tell many different stories and experiences on what people had to endure or inflict within such matters. What truly intrigues me is the fact that there can be people out there with the audacity to wish death upon a stranger or sometimes even a friend due to peer pressure, unaware of the true effects it can bring when they somehow "succeed" on getting someone's life to be thrown in the trash seemingly so insignificantly.
Despite all this, even the bully him/her-self are under serious circumstances when even the most simple minded, and most horrific words get thrown out in to the open for the internet to see. For example "Kill yourself", or "No one likes you". But when it generally comes to the case of anonymous cyber bullying (Which is severely abusing another individual whom you do not know or have any relation to whatsoever through the internet), it easily resorts to serious incidents. This is simply because of how both sides of the situation do not know, or understand one another. Nor do they understand each other's circumstances and experiences they have endured throughout their lifetime. However, yet again people still take to such extents to abuse others, if over a video game, someone's preference or race, or even beliefs.
I've had times where our school had taken time to elaborate on how badly cyber-bullying can be, furthermore doing small activities that involve learning about such matters. This led me to understand how serious such topics can be when taken beyond limits. In addition to this, I have viewed enough cyber-bullying videos to the extent on which a sight of their titles would leave me to feel like I would hurl within sorrow. And videos associated with cyber-bullying further lead to me reminiscing the minor experiences I have had to endure that involved cyber-bullying. I never have really brought up to enjoy discussing such topics, as it only led me to understand such topics, and to realize that there are people out there who had experienced far worse.
One of my most devastating experiences of cyber-bullying was when I was within a kitPvP server, to which I was running from an individual chasing me. This led them to make remarks of my apparent in-game "cowardice". This resulted in a large argument between me and their friend, I was quite arrogant, and immature before this incident occurred, so it only had gotten worse from there. They made remarks about my apparent preference, and even went to the extent of making pretty nasty references towards my family. And my oh my, the lava in the cave only boiled even more from there. We were simply lashing out at one another like wild geese on a rampage.
When the whole situation finally ended, which resulted them in leaving because they had other matters to attend to, I was left there, in a falsely optimistic attitude. "Finally, they're gone!". But this incident went quite a long way since then. And due to my very odd attitude in the past, I was tempted to look in to their identity (Stranger danger!), I stumbled upon their channel through Youtube, to only discover that they were actually children seemingly between the ages 7 - 10. Thus only concluding my search to understand that they were individuals who did not know better. They had access to some equipment, and took it for granted, without awareness of what their actions can lead to. To this day, I still think about it, fortunately enough I was capable of moving on from it. But I do recall enduring practically sleepless nights because of this, and it was certainly nerve-wrecking.
However, that incident felt as if were merely my retribution, or so you could say, my "karma". Because I do recall being the bully myself as well. Where I was in a somewhat largely known mini-game network, to which I participated in quite often. Then came the time to which I had to experience the moments of being targeted by three individuals. Actually, perhaps I should rephrase that I was targeting the three instead, after they have beaten me in a 4 player free-for all. Out of my rage, I only began pursuing them, server by server, waiting to see what could happen. But it resulted in them accusing me of "hacking", and calling me mundane names like "noob" or something like that. I simply snapped and became quite frustrated at them, swearing at them, and complaining about their false accusations. Which only led to them being just as angry. At that point of time, I felt as if I was simply giving justice or looking "cool" by doing that. It simply ended with me leaving with a sadistically optimistic attitude, knowing that I've said those things to them. But to this point of time, I wish I got a chance to go back in time and slap my younger, and more uneducated self with a keyboard and let them know that saying these things online would result in serious matters. I did not know who the individual was, nor did I understand what circumstances they were in. But I had the audacity to state these things to other people, and I will not forgive myself for that.
But out of these two situations that have occurred, and I had to endure, I have learnt the true importance, and vulnerability of a human life, even when online. And on both occasions, I regret having to have been so foolish and naive when under such circumstances. And I do wish that I had a chance to have turned back time and undo such choices, and remake them to more convenient, and mature thoughts instead. But despite this, it had taught me so much about what is out there online. Despite my terrible choices, it had taught me to think more thoroughly, to understand more accurately. And through my opinion if it weren't for me to be under such influence and feelings of hopelessness, then I would not have had such thoughts in the first place. And for those who truly feel that they are under the state of no getting out, hopeless, and helpless, if you pull through such times, you will have known what it is truly like to be under such circumstances, and you can get more stronger then.
And finally, I've seen many different statements on the topic of cyber-bullying that were seemingly blunt. Some people have stated that it's good to simply close the computer, or block them off from that specific type of social media. But what is not understood is the fact remains that if the words go out to the victim, they stay with the victim. It's as if they were pieces of gum stuck to the sole of your shoe, and cannot remove it. Furthermore, what occurs within the internet easily takes the situation back in to the real-world. For example, someone posted embarrassing information of the victim, the individual will easily get harassed online and in real life. Furthermore, we need to understand the things Amanda Todd had endured, even if she did "close the computer" and try to move on with her life, she was mentally and physically harassed by other people in the real world. Even moving different schools didn't help her, as she only met new monsters.
Through conclusion, I believe that many people still have little understanding of the circumstances of bullying, as it did seem that many have not experienced such matters in their life. Furthermore the solutions would bring little effect. However, contacting people you trust, or inquiring with people older will certainly help. And I would like to remind people that a human is like a clean piece of paper. Once other people start harassing the other paper, they will begin to crumble. And the marks will never leave.
"Once it is out there, it stays there."
Note: I will not really intend to make a TL;DR statement, as it is the individual's choice on whether or not they wish to read this. Shortening it will practically mean taking out other essential pieces of information, so only read this when you have time. No urges to read, just take your time. <3