Talented and promising teenagers from around the world have committed suicide. On the surface, they seemed to have everything going for them but their sudden deaths raised the alarm for psychologists and lawmakers over cyber bullying. It’s a form of psychological abuse that causes symptoms similar to PTSD and it’s almost impossible to avoid in our modern, connected world. When it comes to cyber bullying, safety at home is an illusion, so-called “internet trolls” operate through social networks and e-mail, even mobile phones, means of communication in which most first world teenagers are experts these days. The danger can come from anywhere, an extension of school bullying or from a bored stranger. Whatever the source, the anonymity of the internet gives offenders a sense of impunity, so no level of psychological harassment is considered off limits. The victims of cyber bullying often feel isolated and unable to tell friends and family what they are going through. The attackers’ intention is to undermine self-esteem, making teenagers particularly vulnerable to psychological abuse and manipulation. The trolls themselves often fail to realize the extent of the damage they can cause, or the legal consequences of their actions. With ever more cases of cyber bullying related suicide attempts though; the laws against it are getting tougher, with longer jail sentences for online harassment. At the same time, cyber bullying survivors are getting together to turn their negative experiences into a positive message, they organised support groups for victims and educate schoolchildren about the harm cyber bullying can cause, as well as give tips on dealing with internet trolls. Celebrities who have experienced online bullying often support these events, offering advice on how to fight it. It may be impossible to ignore the internet, the primary channel for the serious danger of cyber bullying but there are still effective defense strategies that victims can employ: i
John Jairo Velásquez Vásquez, a.k.a. ‘Popeye’ is something of a local hero to many in the Colombian city of Medellin. He’s stopped in the streets and asked for autographs and selfies. His celebrity is undiminished after spending 23 years in jail. In the heyday of the infamous Medellin drug cartel, he worked for Pablo Escobar as a hit-man, he still says he enjoyed the job in which he tortured and murdered literally hundreds and so, not everyone sees him as a hero.
People on the streets of Kabul call Abbas Alizada the “Afghan Bruce Lee.” After his striking resemblance to the Chinese martial arts icon made him a social media star, he took a year to work on himself and become even more like his hero. His makeover was a smashing success. Today, Abbas uses his celebrity to inspire other young Afghan athletes, but fame has come with a price – he now must be wary every time he leaves his house.
