Last week Governor Phil Bryant signed legislation that would require school districts in Mississippi to enact prohibitions on bullying and to adopt policies to investigating and addressing this behavior. The legislation stems from suicide being the third leading cause of death among youth with bullying being the primary cause. I thought this had already been in place. Signing the legislation is not effective if it is not enforced by school administration.
Social media has turned many people into bullies. Bullying doesn’t just happen on the playground or in the school hallways. Have you read tweets/posts from celebrities, politicians, so called leaders and adults lately? They are just as mean spirited and cruel as the teenage banter. There are a lot of keyboard warriors that use social media as a way to say whatever they think, regardless of how hurtful or spiteful it is. Social media has created the sense that it is okay to say whatever comes to mind without any consequences. It has created many keyboard warriors who bully.
I support the free speech amendment but I also think just because you can say something doesn’t mean you should.
There is an old proverb that can be practiced before speaking. I researched the origination of the three gates, but have not had any luck with the author. The old proverb recommended that before one speaks; let your words pass through three gates: Is it true? Is it kind? Is it necessary?
