Sharing respectfully: the fight against cyberbullying

Stanley Arnold, a man who once ran for president in the 1970s, said: “Every problem contains within itself the seeds of its own solution.” Although his campaign ultimately fell flat, his point resonates beyond the 20^th century. The proliferation of online bullying, in particular via social networks, is garnering serious attention, and requiring equally powerful responses. Researchers and advocates alike stress the importance of focusing on not just victims of bullying. Cyberbullying campaigns must also inspire the 88% of teens who admit to standing by when witnessing cruelty to have the conscience to take a stand.

 

At SmartSign.com, we used our resources as a sign and label company to create #TakeNoBullies, a campaign that promotes kindness and sheds light on the pain that a belittling tweet, status update, or photo upload can inflict upon a victim. #TakeNoBullies uses stickers and social network specific messages to promote digital responsibility. Ranging from Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, Tumblr and Google+, the stickers communicate positive, catchy messages.

Digital citizenship is a new and useful phrase, referring to the sensible use of the internet and mobile devices. The conversation of how to groom responsible digital citizens has become a pressing topic, since our society has collectively witnessed how online bullying drives victims to depression, and in some cases, suicide. Traditional anti-bullying messages, such as ones schools use to prevent bullying behavior in classrooms and playgrounds, no longer apply to the way that people now instantly and distantly communicate. So, it’s time to deliver a message that’s relevant, memorable, and makes a difference.