Lack Of Empathy On Social Media

Hello Hive World.

I was surfing through social media a few days ago mainly to keep abreast of recent happenings and saw the story of a young girl of thirteen years who committed suicide because she was body shamed on tiktok by some mean people.

This is not the first time I have heard of similar situations and it makes me sad especially because I am a mother of two boys and would not want something like this to happen to my sons or daughters.

We live in a society where empathy is at a very low level and most people do not know what it means. Empathy is simply understanding what the next person feels in any given situation. Or as I like to tell my sons to put themselves in other people's shoes.

When we do this often enough, we can know how people feel and why they do certain things or make some decisions. This enables easy understanding and inevitably should produce less criticism or judgment.

It is lack of empathy that makes me avoid people who are quick to judge or point out faults in other people.

We have made technological breakthroughs and innovations that have changed our world. Each year, we become more advanced. Smart phones are available to almost everyone. Our young ones have become addicted to the internet and more particularly, social media. Their lives are influenced by the things they watch and read online.

This has made our youths to be more self conscious because of the 'perfect' stars and models they see and the lifestyles they live. For the reason that they do not see themselves as nearly 'perfect' or good looking as those models, they shame themselves.

We are not all built the same way emotionally. Some of us are strong while some people are less strong and can crumble at the sound of criticism that should not faze them.

Also our backgrounds are different. Some children are brought up in a loving and friendly environment while some others have lived in abused homes all their lives. Any further verbal and emotional abuse like body shaming from a place (social media) where he or she has taken comfort in, then it would most likely result in emotional breakdown and suicide.

It is only those who delight in hiding behind the screen and disrespecting other people that lack empathy. They have no concern as to how their words would affect others.

As parents and guardians, we have a duty to first teach our young ones to be empathic and importantly, to always check up on them. Let them know they are loved and accepted regardless of what they see or hear outside the home.

Above all, let us make the environment conducive for them to confide in us and talk about anything. Let us actively show empathy to others starting with our youths.

I hope this helps someone today. Thank you for reading my post.