Bad behavior is everywhere you look when you’re online. Hackers and scammers try ruining your life one way or another and everyday bullies try to make you feel terrible. Bullies take many forms, and most aren’t afraid to act in public, however, there are those cyber bullies that hide behind their screens and post cruel words against an individual that they might not actually have the courage to do in person.
Social media is a wide ground where bullies can search for targets and easily post their hateful words. For instance, if we looked at Twitter and the Professional Wrestling community, we could find a slew of bullies and posts aimed at the wrestlers, especially in light of everything that has gone on as of late. World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) has released a lot of its talent since early 2020, whether from budget cuts, talent not performing to a standard, or individuals requesting their leave. Now, as fans- no one knows what goes on backstage; we can’t say that talent is difficult to work with, that they have a poor work ethic or they deserve anything. However, recently on Twitter, there have been a lot of posts against recent talent releases and even current superstars out with injury. Sasha Banks (recently released) and Rhea Ripley (out with injury) recently are some of the more recent victims of a cyberbully—who has since deleted his tweet. His words spewed hate toward the two ladies, essentially stating they were terrible at their job and deserved to be physically attacked. Rhea herself responded to his tweet, stating “Demi here… ya know, the real-life human inside Rhea. Just wanted to point out that WRESTLERS and any form of ENTERTAINER is a real-life human off-screen. Don’t wish harm on ANYONE. Don’t wish for anyone to be BURIED. Don’t wish for anyone to be FIRED. F’n disgrace”. Her response has currently gained over 1300 comments (most of which encourage her and are in agreeance) and over 23,000 likes.
Hate against individuals like this is very common, as the ‘fan’ doesn’t like a talent, doesn’t agree with something they say or do—or even what they’re doing on-screen as part of their job—and lash out against them. Sometimes they gather like-minded individuals, but most of the time they only receive backlash as ‘true fans’ lash out against them. The guy mentioned above, as I stated, has deleted his comment, probably in response to the backlash he received, but he’s only one of the thousands out there that make comments like this against wrestling talent. No reprimanding is done, no justice to those that are attacked by the words. The only damage done is against their ego and pride, especially when they can’t get the satisfaction they were looking for.
Instances like these are the primary reason I don’t comment on things anymore. A year or so ago I commented once on someone’s tweet, showing my support to them—and what did I get in response? A bully responded to me, telling me I didn’t know what I was talking about, that I was stupid and needed to go kill myself. I’m a naturally sensitive person and having someone tell me that in such a hateful way crushed me. I felt like crap, despite the fact I knew it was common and he had probably done it to many people. I left my comment up—not giving him the satisfaction of deleting my praise of someone—but I disappeared from Twitter for a while. I reported his tweet to Twitter as Hate speech, and they merely asked if I wanted to block the individual. That was all that could be done—because it’s really all that CAN be done. Virtual hate comments like this, until they get to the stage of harassment, are technically not illegal and that’s why people do it because they know they can get away with it.