Snapchat: The Story of Cyberbullying?
By Ricky, Editor-in-chief
With technology and social media becoming more prominent than ever in our lives, depression and mental health issues are prevalent in our era. With social media applications like Snapchat allowing people to stay anonymous, Snapchat is becoming a hub of cyberbullying for people around the world. The ‘anonymous’ factor of Snapchat allows bullies to flourish while shielding their identity. A new trend has just worsened the situation, and it is called ‘Cover or Show’.
Cover or Show is a game where someone posts a snap on their story saying: “Reply for a cover or show.” Someone will then reply to the story, and the person who posted the snap can ask a question. It can be nearly any question, but hurtful questions made to cause conflict are extremely common. For example, questions include: “Who do you think is the prettiest? Who do you like the most? Who’s your favourite footballer?”. Bullies prosper by asking questions along the lines of: “Who do you hate the most in your form?” The person who posted the snap on their story then asks the person who replied whether they would like their name shown or covered.
DGSChapter interviewed several students in Dartford for their opinion on the charade. One described the game as ‘pointless’ and another ‘extremely hurtful’. With the availability of technology in our era, cyberbullying flourishes. Snapchat aims to improve their messaging service that they provide, but surely this just leads to bullies thriving while victims hurt?
Previously, there was another viral trend on Snapchat where people posted their opinions on someone via Sarahah, an anonymous posting site. Ultimately, Snapchat’s update allowing users to insert links in posts only harnessed the popularity of Sarahah, which has caused rage and conflict. How impactful social media is nowadays is astounding.
With technology becoming more accessible than ever, bullies can publish hurtful words to their heart’s content, while staying anonymous. Isn’t it a time where we should cherish the opportunities given it us, rather than waste it on meaningless charades? And who is to blame: Snapchat, the person who posted on their story, or the person that replies?