Every time I open and scroll through social media, it baffles me how many children and young adults (sometimes even grown adults) are deliberately putting others down. But why? What is the point? Everyone in life is facing issues and struggles that you know nothing about. Why would someone want to purposely hurt someone else?

What makes people feel the need to share issues they have with someone, personal or not, on the internet for all to see? What makes people believe that saying nasty things about others is okay? I have done a lot of thinking on the subject lately, as I'm sure many others have as well, and I've come to a conclusion that most of us are aware of: it is easy to hide behind a computer (or phone) screen and bad mouth someone you don't like, but it is a lot harder to say those same things to the person when they are standing right in front of you. But why do they feel saying those things is necessary in the first place?

It makes me sick to my stomach to see people bashing others and laughing about it. It is bullying. Think about it, would you want your child saying those things to/about others? What about if other people were saying those things to your child or even to you? Puts it in a little more perspective.

Now, I may be a little biased because I'm an education major and feel strongly that we must teach the youth to think before they speak (especially if it's about/directed towards) others, but what about those who are grown and should "know better?" Who is going to teach them that what they are doing is wrong? Who is going to stand up for the people being talked about? Who is going to say enough is enough?

Bullying is a very real thing. Sure, you may not notice physical bullying and fights as much in schools anymore, but with the rise in technology use it is prevalent among school aged kids on social media.. What can we do to solve the problem? Be kind. Focus on treating others the way you want to be treated. We've heard that one before, haven't we? Not everyone in this world needs to get along, we are all different with very different beliefs and that's okay.

You don't have to like everyone, but you do have to be kind to them.

If you don't agree with someone, that's okay, move past it. If someone hurt your feelings, don't post about it. If you think someone is stupid or selfish, why would you post things about them on the internet, making yourself look just as bad? Keep it to yourself.

Like I said before, everyone you meet is fighting a battle that you know nothing about. Just because you don't know about it doesn't mean their problems aren't there. Think before you post. Think before you speak. If you have a problem with someone, keep it between the two of you. Why create unnecessary hurt?