It is about time we deleted the drama and uploaded the love. Socialites may be known for their drama, but bullying both on and offline is never the socialite way. I was very touched by a recent campaign by ABC Family and Seventeen Magazine to Delete Digital Drama across the web. Together, they are calling teens who are victims of this horrific trend not to respond and to delete all bullying-related posts. This powerful campaign comes just in time for the premiere of ABC Family’s much-anticipated original movie, Cyberbully, staring Emily Osment (pictured left wearing the signature [delete] t-shirt) as Taylor Hillridge, a teen whose life is ruined by cyberbullying.
Today, I am using my online socialite status to [delete] cyberbullying from the Internet. Believe it or not, this issue hits very close to home. Long before the days of Facebook, when AOL chimed “You’ve Got Mail” and “Goodbye” on a dial-up system that took over your phone line, I found myself a victim of cyberbullying. To this day, I still can’t stand the sound AOL Instant Messager makes when you receive an IM. In fact, it terrifies me. However, even in my adult life, I have come across the occasional digital bully. Ironically, the Internet has given the self-confidence that I carry with me on the streets of New York, I now use it as a place to promote myself and others positively. Technology is here to make us better people (and better shoppers.) Therefore, bullying and negativity have no place on the web. So [delete,] [delete,] and [delete.]
Cyberbully will premiere on July 17th at 8/7c on ABC Family. If you are a victim of cyberbullying, remember that you are not alone and that the people bullying you are probably just jealous. Also, remember that what you put out on the Internet will be your legacy. Your words and actions will remain online long after you die. So, before you put anything online ask yourself one question: Is this how I would like to be remembered for eternity?