Social Media Class Launches Cyber Bullying Campaign
Facebook and Twitter
OSKALOOSA, IA- Area high school and college students will be “vandalizing” walls and publicly destroying them in an attempt to end cyber bullying.
William Penn University’s social media class is launching a campaign about ending cyber bullying they are calling “Break The Wall.” This past semester, the social media class has confronted the issues in this growing online culture. Senior, Katie Rielly, said, “We hope that students and parents take the campaign seriously and learn something from it.”
Although Facebook and Twitter can be used as positive social media outlets, the tormenting, harassing and public humiliation towards others is a serious problem. According to dosomething.org, only one in ten teens tell a parent if they have been victimized. More than one third of young people have experienced cyber bullying. “If people are confronted with the reality of cyber bullying, I think that will be a good thing to raise awareness,” social media Professor, Matt Wagner said. “Maybe it will be a reason for kids and parents to talk.”
The class will take the portable walls to Oskaloosa High School and William Penn University next week where students will be encouraged to share examples of negative activities that they have witnessed online. On Wednesday, May 1, the walls will be on display at the Oskaloosa town square beginning at 4 p.m. with a presentation beginning at 6 p.m. Community members are invited to view what is written on the wall and help as the walls are destroyed in an attempt to break through the cycle of cyber bullying.
In addition to the wall aspect of the campaign, high school and college students are encouraged to take pictures and post signs with positive comments through Twitter and Instagram using the tagline #breakthewall.
