By Marisa Ellis
Staff Writer
Mira Costa’s People Attending Complete Equality students are in the process of gathering information to start Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook campaigns about respecting peers on social media aimed at Costa students.
PACE decided to start this campaign because, according to PACE president Gillian Searer, Costa students often comment disrespectfully on other’s pictures and posts. By making students aware of this problem, PACE hopes to make people think twice before writing online.
“We hope it will make students aware of cyber-bullying,” Searer said. “It will give students an understanding of the positive effect positive comments can have on people.”
According to bullystatistics.org, the seriousness of cyber-bullying can lead people to depression, violence, and suicide. About 1 in 3 American teenagers have experienced this harmful cyber-bullying online.
“We see commercials and organizations that address this issue everyday,” PACE member Shannon Hancock said. “But people still don’t stop posting hurtful things.”
PACE is currently brainstorming ideas for positive messages they will write on their social media platforms. They are now starting to follow Costa students on PACE’s Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook to get students to see the positive messages and get information about future events PACE will hold.
“PACE will provide information about cyber-bullying and show ways students can stop this from happening,” PACE instructor Dr. Rocky Wilson said.
PACE recommendations will be examples of things people should comment on others’ posts and pictures.
“It is a good idea to keep reminding students about cyber-bullying,” Junior Amanda Han said. “It will get students to acknowledge how powerfully the internet can impact many.”
Cyber-bullying will be tackled as a separate issue from traditional bullying because unlike bullying offline, cyber bullies can act anonymously in the privacy of their homes. Also, these online posts can be seen by large amounts of people much faster. PACE’s direct action for this project will not be held as an assembly with guest speakers, but they will be making posters around school to gain notice of this online campaign.
“We hope to influence students to read our posts and we hope they think twice before commenting on someone’s wall,” Searer said.
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