[hackerlight]

One of Haidt's points is that you can't escape by deleting your account, because everyone else is still online. Suppose you're a teenage girl. The gossip mill about you is still going to be doing the rounds on social media, so the cyberbulling can't be stopped whether or not you're participating. If anything, being the strange outcast by refusing to go online will inflame things. That's one reason why a ban for those below 16 or 18 is a good idea.

[jimbob45]

You say that but it's a bit tough to care if you don't see it happen. It's possible for everyone here to be the subject of a meme somewhere of a picture taken without consent. However, it just feels tough to care unless you actually see the meme and the reactions of people to it.

[Nextgrid]

The difference between some completely random person taking a picture and your circle of friends is that it's very unlikely for the former to reach anyone you know, where as with the latter it's a guarantee.

[MichaelZuo]

But then it would be brought to their attention? And they can respond?

If it's never brought to their attention, it's pointless to worry about.

[hgsgm]

How does "responding" help to protect against gang bullying?

[rocketbop]

Obviously doctor, you’ve never been a thirteen year old girl.

[MichaelZuo]

So?

[rocketbop]

It might be simply putting a book quote as a response came across as passive aggressive.

The reference is to the Virgin Suicides. The doctor can’t believe that Cecilia would slash her wrists because he can’t comprehend that she would have experienced real or perceived distress at her age. To which she responds with the quote above.

I’m suggesting that it’s very easy to be dismissive of teenage problems as trivial or easily solved when we’ve already long recovered from that particular malady.