#cyberbully (2011)

[albinofetus]

[m0llygunn]

GIRL HELP I THOUGHT THAT POST WAS SERIOUS, I GOT SO WORRIED 🤣🤣 lmfaooooo

HAHAHAHA I had post-posting clarity and deleted it right away like not funnyyyyyy

[vortian]

I was gonna make a post saying everyone who was on tumblr during 2016 - 2018 should get $10 for going through all that, but also people on tumblr during 2016 - 2018 were the reason it was so awful in the first place

well, that and the 4chan gore raids.....

[namira]

On 2012 depression tumblr people liked to share gifs from Cyberbully (2011), except made black and white so they looked all deep and artsy and like they weren't from Cyberbully (2011). People don't often talk about this but I remember.

[beardedmrbean]

(Reuters) - The Los Angeles Unified School District on Tuesday will consider banning smartphones for its 429,000 students in an attempt to insulate a generation of kids from distractions and social media that undermine learning and hurt mental health.

The proposal was being formulated before U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy on Monday called for a warning label on social media platforms, akin to those on cigarette packages, due to what he considers a mental health emergency.

The board of the second-largest school district in the United States is scheduled to vote on a proposal to within 120 days develop a policy that would prohibit student use of cellphones and social media platforms and be in place by January 2025.

The L.A. schools will consider whether phones should be stored in pouches or lockers during school hours, according to the meeting's agenda, and what exceptions should be made for students with learning or physical disabilities.

Nick Melvoin, a board member and former middle school teacher who proposed the resolution, said cell phones were already a problem when he left the classroom in 2011, and since then the constant texting and liking has grown far worse.

"It's a moment whose time has come. When I talk to teachers and administrators and parents, it's one of the number one concerns," said Melvoin.

If approved, Los Angeles would join a number of smaller school districts to ban access to phones or social media. Florida, with some 2.8 million public school students, last year passed a law requiring school districts to prevent student access to social media. Several other states have introduced similar legislation.

While the research on mental health risks remains incomplete, the surgeon general said the emergency was so apparent as to demand action.

He cited a JAMA study showing adolescents who spend more than three hours a day on social media may be at heightened risk of mental illness, while also referring to a Gallup poll showing the average teen spends 4.8 hours per day on social media.

The L.A. school district cited other evidence that cellphone addiction was linked to soaring rates of anxiety and cyberbullying.

[littlealeta]

Ralph Breaks the Internet Review/Rant

When I first watched this film in 2018, I thought it was fairly decent. I was glad to finally see Wreck it Ralph again after 6 years. But even then, I still found it a disappointment from the first one. I hated how they did Ralph and Vanellope and I hated that Felix and Calhoun were barely in the film. Over the years, after reflecting more on this film, I realized that I might've been a bit too nice to it. So, I rewatched it again. And... yeah, it's pretty mediocre. It's still a fun time, especially for kids, but I wouldn't recommend it if you don't want it to ruin your love for the first one. I couldn't even watch the first one for years after watching this trainwreck.

This is going to be longer than some of my previous reviews because I have a LOT to say about this film, including spoilers. But you can always scroll down to the overall section if you want to see a concise version of this review.

Story

The film starts off nice. Ralph and Vanellope just hanging out in other games and talking. But, by the time the conflict comes around, the story becomes ass. Ralph and Vanellope break Sugar Rush by fucking around with a new race track Ralph created. They go through the Internet on a rollercoaster ride (using teleportation would make more sense). Then, they end up accidentally bidding 27,000 dollars for a new part at Ebay. So, now they have to gather up 27,000 dollars in 24 hours before the part expires when they could just wait for the item to expire and then re-bid. (Seriously, this whole movie wouldn't have happened if Ralph and Vanellope hadn't been idiots).

It doesn't matter, though, because Ralph somehow gets instant internet fame by making cringy youtube (called buzztube when youtube exists in that world for some reason) jokes and being a real life person somehow (that no one questions), ok. Why do we need a movie about the Internet with two characters from a movie about video games?

There are some cool concepts with the Internet, like the little avatars walking all over the place, the spamming, and Miranda Sings getting her ass kicked off by Ralph breaking her Internet. But then, there are also a lot of unnecessary Internet references. We see Google, Amazon, Twitter (with all the birds retweeting one post, like you could've had other posts instead of just retweets), Snapchat (which is an app), and Oh My Disney, which is just 5 unnecessary minutes of Disney kissing their own ass.

I will, however, say that the parody with the Disney princesses, the I Want songs, and how Vanellope interacts with the princesses (an atypical Disney princess, so you can imagine how well they bounce off of each other) is funny. The only problem is, they're just wrapped up in this terrible story. Like, if they kept the video game concept and they had something like Disney Infinity being one of the more wholesome games Ralph would send Vanellope to and then they meet the Disney princesses in there, that would be better.

The emotional scenes are just shit. Like, I can't NOT mention the contrived comment scene, the whole theme about friendship, and Vanellope glitching when she's insecure, how the fuck, lmao? The comment scene just came off like elementary school/middle school bullying instead of how people actually talk on the Internet. It gives me flashbacks of the 2011 film Cyberbully.

And the way the conflict gets resolved is shallow too, because everything is shallow in this film. I mean, "Don't read the comments"? I mean, it's kinda right for certain situations, but sometimes comments can be useful in helping you improve and seeing how other people see your videos. Sure, you should ignore bullies, trolls, and mean comments, but you shouldn't ignore every comment.

While the letting your friend go and follow their dreams message is a well-intentioned message to send to kids, the way they did it here is actually harmful and contradictory to the first film. I don't want to get too much into the characters because I have a special character section for them, so I'm just going to talk about the theme and how it relates to the world. Vanellope LITERALLY goes turbo. She ditches her Sugar Rush friends, players, and her game. Seemingly putting her friends and game in danger, yet no one questions it. I can't believe this was made by the same people who made the first.

In the climax of the film, Ralph releases a virus to protect Vanellope from the dangers of Slaughter Race. But somehow, it ends up detecting and copying insecurities? I mean, it's a cool concept, but it doesn't make sense when that wasn't even Ralph's intention to begin with.

And like a lot of things in this film, the way they resolved that conflict is anticlimatic. Supposedly, it's a symbol of the theme of the movie which is about letting friends go, which is fine, but why does it need to be in the form of a literal antagonist? Also, I feel like this whole thing is kinda breaking the Show, Don't Tell rule.

The movie also suffers from a lack of subplots. One particular subplot involving Calhoun and Felix was teased but then gets completely thrown out the window. It isn't really an original concept, but it still feels disappointing that they fucked it over.

Characters

Established characters barely even act like themselves. They say and do a lot of stupid shit. Like that contrived joke with Tron having a glitch (no pun intended) and they assume it's already fixed, but it turns out it wasn't fixed. That could've easily been rewritten as Litwak announced it was fixed, but it turns out it wasn't.

Dialogue is pretty bad, too. There's a lot of unnecessary Internet references, laughably idiot dialogue (mostly from Ralph) and a few potty humor that aren't even funny. Oh, and this movie is weirdly fond of philosophies too.

Why would Ralph be interested in a book club?

Ralph is now an idiot loser. He spends the entire film whining and crying about how Vanellope doesn't love him and his hair, even when she's saying nothing about him, it almost comes off as sus (I don't think I can say the actual word I'm thinking of). He says stuff like this.

Bitch, you could've said, "Why are you angry at the rainbow." HOW HARD IS THAT TO REWRITE, WRITERS?!?!

If Ralph just stayed the overprotective father that didn't want Vanellope to wander into dangerous games like Slaughter Race and be around sus people, that would be fine. But no, he gets upset because he and Vanellope were inseparable for 6 fucking years. That is just problematic in more ways than one. Like, Vanellope's your only friend? FELIX IS LITERALLY RIGHT THERE! WTF HAPPENED TO YOU, RALPH?!?!

As for Vanellope, I think the concept of Vanellope getting bored with her game is a good concept to explore and would've been a good catalyst for character development, but here's the thing: SHE NEVER LEARNS. At the end of the film, she gets what she wants and RALPH has to be the one to learn something. Don't get me wrong, Ralph is also in the wrong for being clingy and not wanting his friend to leave his side for 5 minutes. But Vanellope was also a selfish, insensitive b!tch for putting her own game in danger and hurting her friends and her players (by the first movie's logic).

Now, on the positive side, there are some decent characters. Spamley, Yesss, the creepy Slug, Shank, and Knowsmore. Any new character in the film is amusing to watch.

Spamley is the spam junk guy. He's shady and wants to help Ralph and Vanellope get rich by looting from video games. I feel like this character could've probably been the antagonist as I always felt like he was going to backstab Ralph and Vanellope.

Yesss is the world-weary, aloof Youtube Algorithm with a loving side if she cares about you. It's how I'd imagine an Algorithm would act like if it was a person.

Knowsmore (who weirdly enough isn't google) also acts like how I'd imagine a search engine would act like. Saying what they think the other person is typing into the search engine.

The slug (I don't know if they mention his name) is aggressively creepy. He's the guy that Ralph buys the virus from. Fitting for how I'd imagine someone with a virus would act like.

Shank is the weakest of the characters because she's the one encouraging Vanellope to go Turbo, but she does have a cool personality. She may look slightly reminiscent of Calhoun, but she's not stern and hot-headed like her. Instead, she's easy-going, charismatic, and has some badass moves. I still like Calhoun better overall.

Animation/Music/Voice Acting

You can clearly tell it's a step up from the first movie. It's more fluid and cleaner. However, one thing I would like to complain about the animation is the way that some of the 2D princesses are translated into 3D. Ariel, Cinderella, and I think that was Tiana, look unrecognizable as 3D. Especially, Pocahontas, uh.

I think the voice actors were amusing to watch and portrayed their characters decently well. Sarah Silverman, however, felt somehow off to me. Like her voice is pitched up and she didn't really have as much range as she did in the first one, but it might just be the bad script and directing. Bill Hader, I thought he was great as Flint Lockwood and Fear, but his voice is a bit off in this film. Most of the time, he uses his Flint Lockwood voice (which I don't think really fits the character) and other times, he sounds different.

There's only two songs in there, one of them only lasts a second and somehow, it sounds better than almost anything about the full-length one. A Place Called Slaughter Race is not only Vanellope being a piece of shit, but it also doesn't sound particularly catchy. The melodies change like every minute and it's not even in a good way like Bohemian Rhapsody, it just sounds weird.

Overall

Ralph Breaks the Internet is just The Emoji Movie but a bit better. It does actually offer some creative things with the Internet. But it also could've done better in its portrayal of the Internet and that includes making the world feel more natural and cutting down the amount of Internet references (and there's A LOT).

The entire film wouldn't have happened if Ralph and Vanellope hadn't goofed off during work hours and forfeit the bid, but no. We GOTTA HAVE MEMES AND INTERNET REFERENCES FOR THE ZOOMERS AND ALPHAS!

BuzzTube and Knowsmore existing while Google and Youtube exists is weird. I guess they had some weird contract disagreements with these products?

There is little tension to be found as most of the conflict is resolved through anticlimatic and shallow dialogue and scenes and lame Internet jokes. And conflict is often started or ending with inconsistencies with the previous worldbuilding or with how the Internet really is.

There are barely any subplots in the film. One is teased, but never expanded upon.

Jokes are hit-and-miss. A lot of the dialogue felt unnatural and disgusting, often for the sake of making little kids laugh. Yet, the movie even tries to be r/I'm14andthisisdeep for no reason a few times.

Vanellope and Ralph are now almost completely different from how they were in the first film and of the two, only Ralph learns something and it's a pretty harmful message in the context of the film. However, I do like the new side characters. I personally think they should've done more with Spamley, but they all have fun personalities and act like how I'd imagine the Internet in character form would act like. And the parody with the Disney princesses and the interactions between them and Vanellope is actually creative to watch.

Animation is a clear step up from the first film besides the designs of some of the Disney princesses looking off. Voice acting was mostly decent except for a few characters sounding weird at times. Vanellope's I Want song is disappointingly forgettable.

Ralph Breaks the Internet gets 5.3 bells out of 10.

Also, why is it called Ralph Breaks the Internet instead of Ralph Wrecks the Internet? Ugh, they couldn't even get the title right.

Sour Bill is also one of my favorites and I would've loved to see more of him, too.

[bigassbowlingballhead]

emily osment didn't suffer through the 2011 film cyberbully for idiots to say it doesn't exist.

[ashtrancy1025]

A Close Examination of Cyberbully (2011): Exploring the Digital Shadows and Symbolism

Cyberbully (2011), directed and written by Charles S. Dutton and starring Emily Osment, is a compelling made-for-TV film that addresses the damaging effects of cyberbullying. Through its narrative, characters, and visual symbolism, the film offers an interesting breakdown of how the virtual world becomes a field of conflict for identity, power, and exposure. This essay discusses the overarching themes of Cyberbully, analyzing specific examples from the film and deconstructing the intricate symbolism that underlies the message.

Characters and Setting: The Human Faces of Digital Violence

Central to Cyberbully is Taylor Hillridge (Emily Osment), a young woman whose world is disrupted by relentless cyberbullying. Initially introduced as the stereotypical high school girl—friendly, extroverted, and slightly insecure—Taylor's world soon unravels into chaos following her intimate photos' publication on the internet without her consent or awareness. The film also introduces her parents, friends, and the faceless cyberbully, whose identity is not revealed for the majority of the film, symbolizing the faceless nature of online harassment.

Set largely in modern, suburban America, the visual tone of the film shifts to match Taylor's mood. The cheerful, sunny scenes during school are placed in stark juxtaposition to black, foreboding digital realms that pursue her as her dream. This dichotomy is utilized to emphasize the pervasiveness of cyberspace, creeping into every portion of her existence.

Narrative Arc and Key Examples

The movie documents Taylor's descent into desperation and her final battle to restore her dignity. One of the most moving scenes is when Taylor's private photographs are posted on a social networking site, and she is severely humiliated. The film illustrates her isolation graphically—her offline contacts dwindle, and her online presence is a tool for shame and fear.

The turning point occurs when Taylor's mother finds her crying in her room by herself, symbolizing the disparity between her inner turmoil and her outer presentation. The scene shows the psychological toll of cyberbullying and the need for family support.

At last, Taylor stands up to her online bully in an assembly, where she confronts her harasser with boldness. The moment of rebellion signifies reclaiming authority and challenging anonymous power which bullying often occurs behind screens. 

Symbolism in Cyberbully

Cyberbully uses strong symbolism to drive home its point regarding the shadowy side of the modern era.

1. The Computer Screen as Gateway and Prison: Over the course of the movie, the computer screen is both gateway to society and prison of vulnerability. When Taylor is first offered the laptop, it appears as a friendly destination—a gateway to buddies and distraction. When she becomes a target, the screen is a prison that holds her back in fear and shame. The dark, flickering figures during moments of depression symbolize her confinement, the emphasis being that the virtual can imprison the mind.

2. The Faceless Figure of the Cyberbully: The cyberbully is shown as a faceless, anonymous figure, often represented by dark silhouettes or fuzzy figures in screen environments. Such facelessness indicates that online brutality is not often held responsible and is therefore done behind screens by someone whose anonymity is preferred. The invisibility of the bully enhances the facelessness of cyberbullying and renders it more malevolent in the sense that the victim cannot confront a physical foe.

3. The Broken Mirror: A recurring visual motif is Taylor gazing into a mirror that reflects her shattered image. Her reflection in one instance is broken and distorted, symbolizing her shattered self-esteem and identity. This imagery refers to the ways that cyberbullying shatters self-image and personal integrity. The broken mirror is a symbol for the shattered sense of self that victims endure.

4. The Light vs. Darkness Duality: The film frequently employs contrasting light to represent hope and desperation. Light, brightly lit scenes present moments of bonding, courage, and support—such as Taylor's with her mom or deciding to stand up for herself against her tormentor. Dark, shadowed scenes, conversely, represent her turmoil internally and the perils that exist within the online world. This light vs. darkness contrast highlights the duality of the cyber world—its ability to both hurt and heal.

Themes and Implications

Cyberbully has themes of vulnerability, anonymity, and resilience. It emphasizes that cyberbullying is not just an internet problem but a human one, affecting the emotional well-being of its victims. The film encourages awareness, empathy, and active intervention, demonstrating how support systems can empower victims to overcome their trauma.

Furthermore, the film advocates for digital literacy as well as responsibility. The film warns audiences of the permanence of online actions and the concrete consequences of cyberbullying. Taylor's conversion from victim to survivor is a victory of courage, underscoring the fact that defiance of one's fears and the raising of one's voice can break the silence.

Conclusion

Cyberbully (2011) is a riveting movie commentary on the darker aspect of social media and online communications. Through its characters, imagery, and layered symbolism, the film shines a light on the emotional scarring of cyberbullying and calls for empathy and awareness. Symbols like the shattered mirror, the shadowy bully figure, and the polarized lighting are powerful metaphors for identity, anonymity, and hope. Ultimately, Cyberbully reminds us that behind each screen is a human being—fragile, deserving of compassion, and resilient enough to heal.

[issela-santina]

Skinamarink (2022) — you telephone 911 and then said phone turns into a toy

One Missed Call (2003-2008) — you receive a voicemail dated a few days into the future, the voicemail is you screaming as you die

The Ring (1996-2022) — you receive a phone call after watching a weird af video and it says you're dead in a week, and follows through

4444444444 (1998) — the phone number calls you only to emit a death rattle, and the last thing you see is who it came from

The Caller (2011), also The Call (2020) — you telephone yourself between two points in time and thus change history

Scream (1996-2023) — you phone your victims about horror trivia and death threats

Unfriended (2014) — you Skype your friends and then get supernaturally guilt tripped for your cyberbullying until you die; screenlife genre codifier

Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning, Part One (2023) — you ask your friend on the phone for directions but then end up running around in circles because AI has copied your friend's voice and is mocking you with it; franchise and film are obviously not horror but the scene itself is

oh you're in a horror film/book and your phone died/has no bars? how boring. I think phones in horror SHOULD work. they should ding only to have the protagonist check and find nothing. they should get calls from somebody you don't know but is still somehow in your contacts. google maps should lead you to one place, no matter what address you type in.

phones are such a big part of our daily lives, removing them from horror removes the horror from our experience. what if the horror felt like it could happen to you, right here, right now? what if it felt like it was already happening?

[brookston]

Holidays 4.25

Holidays

Anti-Nuclear Day

ANZAC Day (Australia, New Zealand)

Chuvash Language Day (Russia)

Cyberbullying Awareness Day (P.E.I., Canada)

DNA Day

Duck Appreciation Society Day

East Meets West Day (a.k.a. Elbe Day)

Football Day (Kazakhstan)

Freedom Day (Portugal)

Free Love Day

Gene Gene the Dancing Machine Day

Get On Board Day

Hairstylist Appreciation Day

Hayek Day

Hostile Aggressive Parenting Awareness Day

Hubble Telescope Day

Hug A Plumber Day

Huntingdonshire Day (UK)

International Amigurumi Day

International Delegate’s Day

International Financial Independence Awareness Day

King Naresuan Day (Thailand)

Liberation Day (Italy, South Georgia)

Liberty Day (Portugal)

License Plate Day

Mahavir Jayanti (Parts of India)

Malaria Awareness Day

Military Foundation Day (North Korea)

National Airhorn Day

National Amigurumi Day

National Christian College Day

National Crayola Day

National Darts Day

National Financial Awareness Day

National Liberation Day (Malta)

National Lingerie Day

National Mani-Pedi Day

National Plumber’s Day

National Quote Day

National Telephone Day

Parental Alienation Awareness Day

Perfect Date Day (Not Too Hot, Not Too Cold; in film “Miss Congeniality”)

People’s Army Foundation Day (North Korea)

Plastic Grocery Bag Day

Poetry Day (Ireland)

Portugal Day (Portugal)

Radunitsa (Ancestors Veneration Day; Belarus)

Red Hat Society Day

Revolution Day (Timor-Leste)

Secotorial Government Holiday (Jordan)

Sinai Liberation Day (Egypt)

20-Something Service Day

World DNA Day

World Malaria Day (UN)

Food & Drink Celebrations

National Crotilla Day

National Steak Day (UK)

National Zucchini Bread Day

Nature Celebrations

Carnation Day (Portugal)

Dandelion Day

Fritillaria Thunbergii Day (Majestic; Korean Birth Flowers)

Tag des Baumes (Arbor Day; Germany)

Whip-Poor-Will Day (Pennsylvania)

World Penguin Day

Independence, Flag & Related Days

Copan (Declared; 2011) [unrecognized]

Day of the Circassian Flag

Flag Day (Faroe Islands, Eswatini, f.k.a. Swaziland)

Indonesia (Regional Autonomy Day; 1996)

Novaland (Declared; 2014) [unrecognized]

Principality of Martin Presidia (Declared; 2016) [unrecognized]

Yom HaAtzma’ut [יוֹם הָעַצְמָאוּת] (Israeli Independence Day observed) [5 Iyar]

4th & Last Friday in April

Arbor Day (Arizona) [Last Friday]

Arbrewday [Last Friday]

Childcare Professionals Day [Last Friday]

Children’s Memorial Flag Day [Last Friday]

Comfort Food Friday [Every Friday]

Day of Dialogue [Last Friday]

Five For Friday [Every Friday]

Flapjack Friday [4th Friday of Each Month]

Flashback Friday [Every Friday]

Flirtatious Friday [4th Friday of Each Month]

Field Trip Friday [Last Friday of Each Month]

Finally Friday [Last Friday of Each Month]

Flatbread Friday [Last Friday of Each Month]

Friday Finds [Every Friday]

Friendship Friday [Last Friday]

Fry Day (Pastafarian; Fritism) [Every Friday]

Hairball Awareness Day [Last Friday]

Hooky Day (Argentina) [Last Friday]

International Viognier Day [Last Friday]

National Arbor Day [Last Friday]

National Historic Marker Day [Last Friday]

National Skipping Day (UK) [4th Friday]

National Workplace Wellbeing Day (Ireland) [Last Friday]

Swiss Beer Day (Switzerland) [Last Friday]

TGIF (Thank God It's Friday) [Every Friday]

Undiagnosed Children’s Day (UK) [Last Friday]

World Meningitis Day [4th Friday]

World Women’s Wellness Day [Last Friday]

Weekly Holidays beginning April 25 (3rd Full Week of April)

Fibroid Awareness Week (thru 4.27)

Glen Lake Restaurant Week (Glen Arbor Area, Michigan) [thru 5.3]

National and Global Youth Service Days (thru 4.27)

National Dream Hotline (thru 4.27) [Last Weekend]_

Sacramento Beer Week (Sacramento, California) [thru 5.3]

Santa Barbara Restaurant Week (Santa Barbara, California) [thru 5.4]

Festivals On or Beginning April 25, 2025

Alabama Strawberry Festival (Cullman, Alabama) [thru 4.26]

Asheville Spring Herb Festival (Asheville, North Carolina) [thru 4.27]

Astoria-Warrenton Crab, Seafood & Wine Festival (Astoria, Oregon) [thru 4.27]

Beaufort Wine & Food (Beaufort, North Carolina) [thru 4.27]

Brewgaloo - Raleigh, North Carolina) [thru 4.26]

California Poppy Festival (Lancaster, California) [thru 4.27]

California Wine Festival Dana Point (Dana Point, California) [thru 4.26]

Clinton- Hickman County Spring Chicken Festival (Clinton, Kentucky) [thru 4.26]

Fiddler’s Frolocs (Halletsville, Texas) [thru 4.27]

Interstate Mullet Toss and Greatest Beach Party (Orange Beach, Alabama) [thru 4.27]

Kaunas Jazz (Kaunas, Lithuania) [thru 4.26]

La Fete Du Monde (Raceland, Louisiana) [thru 4.27]

New England Folk Festival (Marlborough, Massachusetts) [thru 4.27]

Northwest Cherry Festival (The Dalles, Oregon) [thru 4.27]

Pensacola Crawfish Festival (Pensacola, Florida) [thru 4.27]

Procession of the Species (Olympia, Washington) [thru 4.26]

Sacred Heart Garden Festival (Augusta, Georgia) [thru 4.26]

Santa Maria Valley Strawberry Festival (Santa Maria Valley, California) [thru 4.27]

Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival (Winchester, Virginia) [thru 5.4]

St. Elias Food & Cultural Festival (Birmingham, Alabama) [thru 4.27]

Texas SandFest (Port Aransas, Texas) [thru 4.27]

Vermontville Maple Syrup Festival (Vermontville, Michigan) [thru 4.27]

Wakarusa Maple Syrup Festival (Wakarusa, Indiana) [thru 4.27]

Feast Days

Adonia (Greek women's festival)

Anianus of Alexandria (Christian; Saint)

Aristides (Positivist; Saint)

Blessing of the Wheat (Ancient Hungary)

Canadanaigua (Festival of Lights, ritual of harvest and thanksgiving; Native American)

Festival of Robigalia (Ancient Rome)

Giovanni Battista Piamarta (Christian; Saint)

Heribald (Christian; Saint)

Ivo (Christian; Saint)

Kebius of Cornwall (Christian; Saint)

Major Rogation (Western Christianity)

Mark the Evangelist (Christian; Saint)

Maughold of Isle of Man (Christian; Saint)

Mr. Hooper (Muppetism)

Mr. T Day (Church of the SubGenius; Saint)

Phaebadius, Bishop of Agen (Christian; Saint)

Philo and Agathopodes (Christian; Saint)

Quarks (Muppetism)

The Robigalia (Ancient Roman Grain & Corn Festival)

Walpurgisnacht, Day III (Pagan)

World Penguin Day (Pastafarian)

Lunar Calendar Holidays

Chinese: Month 3 (Geng-Chen), Day 28 (Jia-Zi)

Day Pillar: Wood Rat

12-Day Officers/12 Gods: Success Day (成 Cheng) [Auspicious]

Holidays: None Known

Secular Saints Days

Karel Appel (Art)

Hank Azaria (Entertainment)

Dorothy Salisbury Davis (Literature)

James Fenton (Literature)

Ella Fitzgerald (Music)

Howard R. Garis (Literature)

ALbert King (Musić)

Jason Lee (Entertainment)

Guglielmo Marconi (Science)

Meadowlark Lemon (Sports)

Paul Mazursky (Entertainment)

Edward R. Murrow (Entertainment)

Al Pacino (Entertainment)

Wolfgang Pauli (Science)

Ton Schulten (Art)

David Shepherd (Art)

Cy Twombly (Art)

Albert Uderzo (Art)

Renee Zellweger (Entertainment)

Lucky & Unlucky Days

Lucky Day (Philippines) [21 of 71]

Shakku (赤口 Japan) [Bad luck all day, except at noon.]

Unfortunate Day (Pagan) [24 of 57]

Premieres

Abusement Park (Fleischer/Famous Popeye Cartoon; 1947)

Adventures of Adenoid (Aesop’s Film Fable Cartoon; 1925)

Another Tale (Vincent Whitman Cartoon; 1914)

Baby Mama (Film; 2009)

Band of Gold, by Freda Payne (Song; 1970)

The Barnyard Battle (Ub Iwerks Disney Cartoon; 1929)

Big Chief Ugh-Amugh-Ugh (Fleischer Popeye Cartoon; 1938)

Big River (Broadway Musical; 1985)

The Big Short, by Michael Lewis (Book; 2010)

Bobby Bumps (Paramount Magazine Cartoon; 1920)

Clash and Carry (Chilly Willy Cartoon; 1961)

Cosmographiae Introductio, by Martin Waldseemuller (Geography Book; 1507) [1st use of term ‘America’]

Deep Stuff (Aesop’s Film Fable Cartoon; 1925)

Dog Tired (WB MM Cartoon; 1942)

Don’t Go On (Krazy Kat Cartoon; 1927)

Drooler’s Delight (Woody Woodpecker Cartoon; 1949)

Hail Columbia, by Joseph Hopkinson (Song; 1798)

Harold & Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay (Film; 2008)

Homage to Catalonia, by George Orwell (Memoir; 1938)

Infest, by Papa Roach (Album; 2000)

Lady Play Your Mandolin (WB MM Cartoon; 1931)

Lay Down, by Melanie (Song; 1970)

Let’s Eat (Oswald the Lucky Rabbit Cartoon; 1932)

Let’s Stick Together (Donald Duck Disney Cartoon; 1952)

Magic Art (Aesop’s Sound Fable Cartoon; 1932) The Male Man (Fleischer Talkartoon Cartoon; 1931)

Manhattan (Film; 1979)

Nuts and Volts (WB LT Cartoon; 1964)

The Old Curiosity Shop, by Charles Dickens (Novel; 1840)

The Other Woman (Film; 2014)

Piére li Houyeû (Peter the Miner), by Eugène Ysaÿe (Opera; 1931)

Polar Playmates (Color Rhapsody Cartoon; 1946)

Robinson Crusoe, by Daniel Defoe (Novel; 1719)

Romy and Michelle’s High School Reunion (Film; 1997)

The Sky is Falling (Mighty Mouse Cartoon; 1947)

S.O.S. (Aesop’s Film Fable Cartoon; 1925)

The Stupidstitious Cat (Noveltoons Cartoon; 1947)

Swanee River (Fleischer Ko-Ko Song Car-Tune Cartoon; 1925)

Tail End (Oswald the Lucky Rabbit Cartoon; 1938)

That’s My Pup (Tom & Jerry Cartoon; 1953)

Turandot, by Giacomo Puccini (Opera; 1926)

Valse Trust, by Jean Sibelius (Orchestral Work; 1904)

We Shall Overcome: The Seeger Sessions, by Bruce Springsteen (Album; 2006)

Westward Whoa (WB LT Cartoon; 1936)

Where the Buffalo Roam (Film; 1980)

Today’s Name Days

Erwin, Markus (Austria)

Marko (Bulgaria)

Franka, Marko, Maroje (Croatia)

Marek (Czech Republic)

Markus (Denmark)

Marek, Margo, Margus, Mark, Marko, Markus (Estonia)

Markku, Marko, Markus (Finland)

Marc (France)

Erwin, Markus (Germany)

Markela, Markos, Nike, Niki (Greece)

Márk (Hungary)

Franco, Marco (Italy)

Barbala, Līksma, Liksme, Marks, Markus (Latvia)

Gražvyda, Gražvydė, Morkus, Tolmantas, Žadmantė (Lithuania)

Mark, Markus (Norway)

Jarosław, Marek, Wasyl (Poland)

Marcu, Vasile (Romania)

Marek (Slovakia)

Marcos (Spain)

Markus (Sweden)

Mark, Marko (Ukraine)

Marc, Marcel, Marcella, Marcia, Marcila, Marco, Marcos, Marcus, Marcy, Maricela, Mario, Marisol, Mark, Markus, Marsha (USA)

Today’s National Name Days

National Ella Day

National Hank Day

Today is Also…

Day of Year: Day 115 of 2025; 250 days remaining in the year

ISO Week: Day 5 of Week 17 of 2025

Celtic Tree Calendar: Saille (Willow) [Day 11 of 28]

Chinese: Month 3 (Geng-Chen), Day 28 (Jia-Zi)

Chinese Year of the: Snake 4723 (until February 17, 2026) [Ding-Chou]

Coptic: 17 Barmundah 1741

Druid Tree Calendar: Walnut (April 21-30) [Day 5 of 10]

Hebrew: 27 Nisan 5785

Islamic: 26 Shawwal 1446

Julian: 12 April 2025

Moon: 7%: Waning Crescent

Positivist: 3 Caesar (5th Month) [Artistes]

Runic Half Month: Man (Humanity) [Day 12 of 15] (thru 4.28)

Season: Spring (Day 36 of 92)

SUn Calendar: 25 Cyan; Foursday [26 of 30]

Week: 3rd Full Week of April

Zodiac:

Tropical (Typical) Zodiac: Taurus (Day 6 of 31)

Sidereal Zodiac: Aries (Day 12 of 31)

Schmidt Zodiac: Aries (Day 10 of 31)

IAU Boundaries (Current) Zodiac: Aries (Day 7 of 25)

IAU Boundaries (1977) Zodiac: Aries (Day 7 of 25)

[brookstonalmanac]

Holidays 4.25

Holidays

Anti-Nuclear Day

ANZAC Day (Australia, New Zealand)

Chuvash Language Day (Russia)

Cyberbullying Awareness Day (P.E.I., Canada)

DNA Day

Duck Appreciation Society Day

East Meets West Day (a.k.a. Elbe Day)

Football Day (Kazakhstan)

Freedom Day (Portugal)

Free Love Day

Gene Gene the Dancing Machine Day

Get On Board Day

Hairstylist Appreciation Day

Hayek Day

Hostile Aggressive Parenting Awareness Day

Hubble Telescope Day

Hug A Plumber Day

Huntingdonshire Day (UK)

International Amigurumi Day

International Delegate’s Day

International Financial Independence Awareness Day

King Naresuan Day (Thailand)

Liberation Day (Italy, South Georgia)

Liberty Day (Portugal)

License Plate Day

Mahavir Jayanti (Parts of India)

Malaria Awareness Day

Military Foundation Day (North Korea)

National Airhorn Day

National Amigurumi Day

National Christian College Day

National Crayola Day

National Darts Day

National Financial Awareness Day

National Liberation Day (Malta)

National Lingerie Day

National Mani-Pedi Day

National Plumber’s Day

National Quote Day

National Telephone Day

Parental Alienation Awareness Day

Perfect Date Day (Not Too Hot, Not Too Cold; in film “Miss Congeniality”)

People’s Army Foundation Day (North Korea)

Plastic Grocery Bag Day

Poetry Day (Ireland)

Portugal Day (Portugal)

Radunitsa (Ancestors Veneration Day; Belarus)

Red Hat Society Day

Revolution Day (Timor-Leste)

Secotorial Government Holiday (Jordan)

Sinai Liberation Day (Egypt)

20-Something Service Day

World DNA Day

World Malaria Day (UN)

Food & Drink Celebrations

National Crotilla Day

National Steak Day (UK)

National Zucchini Bread Day

Nature Celebrations

Carnation Day (Portugal)

Dandelion Day

Fritillaria Thunbergii Day (Majestic; Korean Birth Flowers)

Tag des Baumes (Arbor Day; Germany)

Whip-Poor-Will Day (Pennsylvania)

World Penguin Day

Independence, Flag & Related Days

Copan (Declared; 2011) [unrecognized]

Day of the Circassian Flag

Flag Day (Faroe Islands, Eswatini, f.k.a. Swaziland)

Indonesia (Regional Autonomy Day; 1996)

Novaland (Declared; 2014) [unrecognized]

Principality of Martin Presidia (Declared; 2016) [unrecognized]

Yom HaAtzma’ut [יוֹם הָעַצְמָאוּת] (Israeli Independence Day observed) [5 Iyar]

4th & Last Friday in April

Arbor Day (Arizona) [Last Friday]

Arbrewday [Last Friday]

Childcare Professionals Day [Last Friday]

Children’s Memorial Flag Day [Last Friday]

Comfort Food Friday [Every Friday]

Day of Dialogue [Last Friday]

Five For Friday [Every Friday]

Flapjack Friday [4th Friday of Each Month]

Flashback Friday [Every Friday]

Flirtatious Friday [4th Friday of Each Month]

Field Trip Friday [Last Friday of Each Month]

Finally Friday [Last Friday of Each Month]

Flatbread Friday [Last Friday of Each Month]

Friday Finds [Every Friday]

Friendship Friday [Last Friday]

Fry Day (Pastafarian; Fritism) [Every Friday]

Hairball Awareness Day [Last Friday]

Hooky Day (Argentina) [Last Friday]

International Viognier Day [Last Friday]

National Arbor Day [Last Friday]

National Historic Marker Day [Last Friday]

National Skipping Day (UK) [4th Friday]

National Workplace Wellbeing Day (Ireland) [Last Friday]

Swiss Beer Day (Switzerland) [Last Friday]

TGIF (Thank God It's Friday) [Every Friday]

Undiagnosed Children’s Day (UK) [Last Friday]

World Meningitis Day [4th Friday]

World Women’s Wellness Day [Last Friday]

Weekly Holidays beginning April 25 (3rd Full Week of April)

Fibroid Awareness Week (thru 4.27)

Glen Lake Restaurant Week (Glen Arbor Area, Michigan) [thru 5.3]

National and Global Youth Service Days (thru 4.27)

National Dream Hotline (thru 4.27) [Last Weekend]_

Sacramento Beer Week (Sacramento, California) [thru 5.3]

Santa Barbara Restaurant Week (Santa Barbara, California) [thru 5.4]

Festivals On or Beginning April 25, 2025

Alabama Strawberry Festival (Cullman, Alabama) [thru 4.26]

Asheville Spring Herb Festival (Asheville, North Carolina) [thru 4.27]

Astoria-Warrenton Crab, Seafood & Wine Festival (Astoria, Oregon) [thru 4.27]

Beaufort Wine & Food (Beaufort, North Carolina) [thru 4.27]

Brewgaloo - Raleigh, North Carolina) [thru 4.26]

California Poppy Festival (Lancaster, California) [thru 4.27]

California Wine Festival Dana Point (Dana Point, California) [thru 4.26]

Clinton- Hickman County Spring Chicken Festival (Clinton, Kentucky) [thru 4.26]

Fiddler’s Frolocs (Halletsville, Texas) [thru 4.27]

Interstate Mullet Toss and Greatest Beach Party (Orange Beach, Alabama) [thru 4.27]

Kaunas Jazz (Kaunas, Lithuania) [thru 4.26]

La Fete Du Monde (Raceland, Louisiana) [thru 4.27]

New England Folk Festival (Marlborough, Massachusetts) [thru 4.27]

Northwest Cherry Festival (The Dalles, Oregon) [thru 4.27]

Pensacola Crawfish Festival (Pensacola, Florida) [thru 4.27]

Procession of the Species (Olympia, Washington) [thru 4.26]

Sacred Heart Garden Festival (Augusta, Georgia) [thru 4.26]

Santa Maria Valley Strawberry Festival (Santa Maria Valley, California) [thru 4.27]

Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival (Winchester, Virginia) [thru 5.4]

St. Elias Food & Cultural Festival (Birmingham, Alabama) [thru 4.27]

Texas SandFest (Port Aransas, Texas) [thru 4.27]

Vermontville Maple Syrup Festival (Vermontville, Michigan) [thru 4.27]

Wakarusa Maple Syrup Festival (Wakarusa, Indiana) [thru 4.27]

Feast Days

Adonia (Greek women's festival)

Anianus of Alexandria (Christian; Saint)

Aristides (Positivist; Saint)

Blessing of the Wheat (Ancient Hungary)

Canadanaigua (Festival of Lights, ritual of harvest and thanksgiving; Native American)

Festival of Robigalia (Ancient Rome)

Giovanni Battista Piamarta (Christian; Saint)

Heribald (Christian; Saint)

Ivo (Christian; Saint)

Kebius of Cornwall (Christian; Saint)

Major Rogation (Western Christianity)

Mark the Evangelist (Christian; Saint)

Maughold of Isle of Man (Christian; Saint)

Mr. Hooper (Muppetism)

Mr. T Day (Church of the SubGenius; Saint)

Phaebadius, Bishop of Agen (Christian; Saint)

Philo and Agathopodes (Christian; Saint)

Quarks (Muppetism)

The Robigalia (Ancient Roman Grain & Corn Festival)

Walpurgisnacht, Day III (Pagan)

World Penguin Day (Pastafarian)

Lunar Calendar Holidays

Chinese: Month 3 (Geng-Chen), Day 28 (Jia-Zi)

Day Pillar: Wood Rat

12-Day Officers/12 Gods: Success Day (成 Cheng) [Auspicious]

Holidays: None Known

Secular Saints Days

Karel Appel (Art)

Hank Azaria (Entertainment)

Dorothy Salisbury Davis (Literature)

James Fenton (Literature)

Ella Fitzgerald (Music)

Howard R. Garis (Literature)

ALbert King (Musić)

Jason Lee (Entertainment)

Guglielmo Marconi (Science)

Meadowlark Lemon (Sports)

Paul Mazursky (Entertainment)

Edward R. Murrow (Entertainment)

Al Pacino (Entertainment)

Wolfgang Pauli (Science)

Ton Schulten (Art)

David Shepherd (Art)

Cy Twombly (Art)

Albert Uderzo (Art)

Renee Zellweger (Entertainment)

Lucky & Unlucky Days

Lucky Day (Philippines) [21 of 71]

Shakku (赤口 Japan) [Bad luck all day, except at noon.]

Unfortunate Day (Pagan) [24 of 57]

Premieres

Abusement Park (Fleischer/Famous Popeye Cartoon; 1947)

Adventures of Adenoid (Aesop’s Film Fable Cartoon; 1925)

Another Tale (Vincent Whitman Cartoon; 1914)

Baby Mama (Film; 2009)

Band of Gold, by Freda Payne (Song; 1970)

The Barnyard Battle (Ub Iwerks Disney Cartoon; 1929)

Big Chief Ugh-Amugh-Ugh (Fleischer Popeye Cartoon; 1938)

Big River (Broadway Musical; 1985)

The Big Short, by Michael Lewis (Book; 2010)

Bobby Bumps (Paramount Magazine Cartoon; 1920)

Clash and Carry (Chilly Willy Cartoon; 1961)

Cosmographiae Introductio, by Martin Waldseemuller (Geography Book; 1507) [1st use of term ‘America’]

Deep Stuff (Aesop’s Film Fable Cartoon; 1925)

Dog Tired (WB MM Cartoon; 1942)

Don’t Go On (Krazy Kat Cartoon; 1927)

Drooler’s Delight (Woody Woodpecker Cartoon; 1949)

Hail Columbia, by Joseph Hopkinson (Song; 1798)

Harold & Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay (Film; 2008)

Homage to Catalonia, by George Orwell (Memoir; 1938)

Infest, by Papa Roach (Album; 2000)

Lady Play Your Mandolin (WB MM Cartoon; 1931)

Lay Down, by Melanie (Song; 1970)

Let’s Eat (Oswald the Lucky Rabbit Cartoon; 1932)

Let’s Stick Together (Donald Duck Disney Cartoon; 1952)

Magic Art (Aesop’s Sound Fable Cartoon; 1932) The Male Man (Fleischer Talkartoon Cartoon; 1931)

Manhattan (Film; 1979)

Nuts and Volts (WB LT Cartoon; 1964)

The Old Curiosity Shop, by Charles Dickens (Novel; 1840)

The Other Woman (Film; 2014)

Piére li Houyeû (Peter the Miner), by Eugène Ysaÿe (Opera; 1931)

Polar Playmates (Color Rhapsody Cartoon; 1946)

Robinson Crusoe, by Daniel Defoe (Novel; 1719)

Romy and Michelle’s High School Reunion (Film; 1997)

The Sky is Falling (Mighty Mouse Cartoon; 1947)

S.O.S. (Aesop’s Film Fable Cartoon; 1925)

The Stupidstitious Cat (Noveltoons Cartoon; 1947)

Swanee River (Fleischer Ko-Ko Song Car-Tune Cartoon; 1925)

Tail End (Oswald the Lucky Rabbit Cartoon; 1938)

That’s My Pup (Tom & Jerry Cartoon; 1953)

Turandot, by Giacomo Puccini (Opera; 1926)

Valse Trust, by Jean Sibelius (Orchestral Work; 1904)

We Shall Overcome: The Seeger Sessions, by Bruce Springsteen (Album; 2006)

Westward Whoa (WB LT Cartoon; 1936)

Where the Buffalo Roam (Film; 1980)

Today’s Name Days

Erwin, Markus (Austria)

Marko (Bulgaria)

Franka, Marko, Maroje (Croatia)

Marek (Czech Republic)

Markus (Denmark)

Marek, Margo, Margus, Mark, Marko, Markus (Estonia)

Markku, Marko, Markus (Finland)

Marc (France)

Erwin, Markus (Germany)

Markela, Markos, Nike, Niki (Greece)

Márk (Hungary)

Franco, Marco (Italy)

Barbala, Līksma, Liksme, Marks, Markus (Latvia)

Gražvyda, Gražvydė, Morkus, Tolmantas, Žadmantė (Lithuania)

Mark, Markus (Norway)

Jarosław, Marek, Wasyl (Poland)

Marcu, Vasile (Romania)

Marek (Slovakia)

Marcos (Spain)

Markus (Sweden)

Mark, Marko (Ukraine)

Marc, Marcel, Marcella, Marcia, Marcila, Marco, Marcos, Marcus, Marcy, Maricela, Mario, Marisol, Mark, Markus, Marsha (USA)

Today’s National Name Days

National Ella Day

National Hank Day

Today is Also…

Day of Year: Day 115 of 2025; 250 days remaining in the year

ISO Week: Day 5 of Week 17 of 2025

Celtic Tree Calendar: Saille (Willow) [Day 11 of 28]

Chinese: Month 3 (Geng-Chen), Day 28 (Jia-Zi)

Chinese Year of the: Snake 4723 (until February 17, 2026) [Ding-Chou]

Coptic: 17 Barmundah 1741

Druid Tree Calendar: Walnut (April 21-30) [Day 5 of 10]

Hebrew: 27 Nisan 5785

Islamic: 26 Shawwal 1446

Julian: 12 April 2025

Moon: 7%: Waning Crescent

Positivist: 3 Caesar (5th Month) [Artistes]

Runic Half Month: Man (Humanity) [Day 12 of 15] (thru 4.28)

Season: Spring (Day 36 of 92)

SUn Calendar: 25 Cyan; Foursday [26 of 30]

Week: 3rd Full Week of April

Zodiac:

Tropical (Typical) Zodiac: Taurus (Day 6 of 31)

Sidereal Zodiac: Aries (Day 12 of 31)

Schmidt Zodiac: Aries (Day 10 of 31)

IAU Boundaries (Current) Zodiac: Aries (Day 7 of 25)

IAU Boundaries (1977) Zodiac: Aries (Day 7 of 25)

[happinessismybestfriend]

(W10) Words Hurt: The Unseen Scars of Cyberbullying

Cyberbullying isn’t just an online annoyance, it’s a modern epidemic. Unlike playground taunts that stay behind at school, cyberbullying follows people everywhere, everytime. Anonymity and mob behavior turn what might have been a passing insult into relentless psychological warfare. So, let’s dive deep: What fuels this toxic behavior, and why does it hit so hard?

The Nature and Impact of Cyberbullying

Cyberbullying is a derivative form of traditional bullying that has evolved with the advent of the internet. It is marked by anonymity, widespread presence, and a mob mentality (Wong-Lo & Bullock, 2011). Unlike traditional bullying, cyberbullying can occur at any time and place, making it a relentless threat to victims. The psychological impact of cyberbullying is profound and multifaceted. Victims often suffer from attention deficit, social anxiety, depression, loneliness, interpersonal tension, and even suicidal thoughts (Kumar & Goldstein, 2020).

What makes it worse is that it doesn’t stop when you leave school or work-it’s always there, waiting in your notifications.

The kicker? Many cyberbullies aren’t inherently cruel people. The internet creates this bizarre detachment where they don’t fully grasp the impact of their words. Add in the power of groupthink, and suddenly, one mean comment snowballs into an all-out attack.

Celebrity Worship and Cyberbullying

Stan culture: a force of passion, dedication, and sometimes... straight-up aggression. A study on Chinese college students found that celebrity worship is linked to cyberbullying, especially for those with high reactive anger or childhood experiences of maternal rejection (Zhang et al., 2025). If that sounds dramatic, think about it: When people tie their self-worth to an idol, any criticism of that celeb feels like a personal attack. The result? They lash out, sometimes viciously.

Social identity theory explains this mess: People define themselves by their group affiliations, and stan culture is no exception. When an idol is "threatened," fans, especially those already prone to anger, go into attack mode, defending their fave as if their own reputation is on the line. It’s loyalty gone wrong.

But it’s not just fans attacking critics—celebrities themselves often bear the brunt of extreme online harassment. The tragic cases of South Korean idols like Kim Jong-hyun (SHINee), Sulli, and Goo Hara serve as heartbreaking reminders of how relentless cyberbullying can be. Jong-hyun, a beloved artist, struggled with depression and ultimately took his own life in 2017, leaving behind a devastating note detailing his pain. Sulli, known for her outspoken personality, faced constant online abuse for defying traditional gender norms, while Goo Hara endured relentless harassment following a publicized legal battle with an abusive ex-partner. Both died by suicide in 2019, highlighting the immense psychological toll of cyberbullying in the entertainment industry.

These cases underscore how cyberbullying extends far beyond petty internet drama, it can destroy lives. The pressure on public figures, combined with toxic online environments, creates a dangerous mix where mental health struggles are often overlooked until it's too late.

Online Harassment and Its Normalization

"It’s just the internet, don’t take it so seriously."

Is it sound familiar? That mindset is part of the problem. Research at a UK university debunked the myth that Gen Z is the "snowflake generation" by exposing how widespread and normalized online harassment actually is (Haslop et al., 2021). Women and transgender individuals bear the brunt of it, often limiting their online engagement to avoid being targeted.

When harassment becomes part of the "internet experience", people start accepting it instead of fighting it. And that’s terrifying. The more we brush off online abuse, the harder it is to push for change.

Online Sexual Harassment and Gendered Dimensions

Online sexual harassment (OSH) is a specific form of cyberbullying with a clear gendered dimension, disproportionately affecting women. OSH encompasses various forms of abuse, including negative comments, revenge pornography, and threats. It is used to shame, silence, and discipline women in online spaces, hindering their online participation (Megarry, 2014).

Why does this happen? Because the internet, much like society, has power imbalances. OSH is a digital extension of misogyny, reinforcing outdated beliefs that women should "stay in their place." Traditional legal systems often fail to provide proper protection, leaving many women to resort to naming and shaming their harassers as a last line of defense. While this form of resistance is empowering, it’s also a sign that systemic change is long overdue.

Networked Harassment and the Manosphere

If you’ve ever seen an online dogpile on a feminist creator, chances are, it was coordinated. Online harassment targeting women, particularly feminists, is often coordinated within online communities like the "manosphere." This networked harassment involves organized tactics like doxing and social shaming. The concept of "misandry" is used by these groups to falsely frame feminism as hateful towards men and to legitimize harassment (Marwick & Caplan, 2018). The manosphere, a loose network of blogs, forums, and social media groups, serves as a breeding ground for misogynistic ideologies and coordinated attacks on women.

This isn’t just individual trolls acting out, it’s an organized system. By painting feminists as villains, these communities create an echo chamber where harassment feels not only justified but necessary.

Case Study: Anita Sarkeesian and Cyber Mob Behavior

Let's look at Anita Sarkeesian for a real example! As a feminist media critic, she became the target of a massive online hate campaign for her YouTube series Feminist Frequency, which analyzed how women are portrayed in video games. What followed was next-level cyber mob behavior: threats of violence, sexual assault, and even death, alongside coordinated efforts to get her deplatformed (Sarkeesian, 2018).

Here’s the chilling part: Many of the perpetrators didn’t see this as harassment. To them, it was a game. They created an informal reward system, celebrating each successful attempt to silence her. This wasn’t "just trolling", it was systemic digital abuse designed to reinforce sexism and push women out of online spaces.

Sarkeesian argues that terms like cyberbullying don't adequately describe the scale of this "cyber mob" behavior, which functions to reinforce a culture of sexism, marginalizing women and making online environments toxic. Despite the horrific harassment, Sarkeesian's fundraiser for the Tropes vs. Women in Video Games project was overwhelmingly successful, demonstrating public outrage at such abuse and support for her work.

Final Thoughts: Scars That Never Fade

Cyberbullying isn’t just a "teen drama" or an "unavoidable part of the internet." It’s a serious issue with devastating psychological consequences. Understanding why people engage in cyberbullying, whether through anonymity, stan culture, or organized harassment, is crucial for tackling it.

For the solution, there are several of legal actions, social accountability, and cultural change. We need better online protections, but we also need to dismantle the toxic online norms that allow harassment to thrive. Creating a safer internet starts with holding people accountable, since words hurt, and their unseen scars last far longer than a viral comment ever will.

References

eugene debs. (2018, November 23). Anita Sarkeesian at TEDxWomen 2012. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-wKBdMu6dD4

Haslop, C., O’Rourke, F., & Southern, R. (2021). #NoSnowflakes: The toleration of harassment and an emergent gender-related digital divide, in a UK student online culture. Convergence: The International Journal of Research into New Media Technologies, 27(5), 1418–1438. https://doi.org/10.1177/1354856521989270

Kumar, V. L., & Goldstein, M. A. (2020). Cyberbullying and adolescents. Current Pediatrics Reports, 8(3). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40124-020-00217-6

Marwick, A. E., & Caplan, R. (2018). Drinking male tears: language, the manosphere, and networked harassment. Feminist Media Studies, 18(4), 543–559. https://doi.org/10.1080/14680777.2018.1450568

Megarry, J. (2014). Online incivility or sexual harassment? Conceptualising women’s experiences in the digital age. Women’s Studies International Forum, 47(1), 46–55. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wsif.2014.07.012

Wong-Lo, M., & Bullock, L. M. (2011). Digital Aggression: Cyberworld Meets School Bullies. Preventing School Failure: Alternative Education for Children and Youth, 55(2), 64–70. https://doi.org/10.1080/1045988x.2011.539429

Zhang, L., Li, Y., & Song, X. (2025). Interpreting cyberbullying within fan culture: The relationship between celebrity worship and cyberbullying. Social Behavior and Personality an International Journal, 53(2), 1–9. https://doi.org/10.2224/sbp.13895

[rabbitt1]

cyberbully 2011 bathroom bottle scene was my roman empire!

[endicottorangegrove]

🍊The Orange Grove - 11/19/2024

Here's the set list:

Mort Garson - Western Dragon (Pt 1) Sierra Ferrell - American Dreaming Claude François - Le dragon magique Joni Mitchell - Coyote The Smiths - Bigmouth Strikes Again - 2011 Remaster Sun Moon Sky - State of Grace Håkan Hellström - Det kommer aldrig va över för mig Japanese Breakfast - Essentially Las Ligas Menores - Accidente The Beths, Pickle Darling - Brand New Colony Anastasia Coope - He is On His Way Home, We Don't Live Together Bobby Vinton - My Melody Of Love Sibylle Baier - Tonight Linda Ronstadt - Long Long Time Cyberbully Mom Club - In Passing/Cross States Frida - Liv på Mars? Joni Mitchell - You Turn Me On, I'm a Radio James Ray - I've Got My Mind Set on You Simon & Garfunkel - Bridge Over Troubled Water

Stay fruity🍊

[itsrattysworld]

Without Prejudice Mervelee Myers Created Social Media Community HUBS Used By The Cyberbullying Criminals Need ERT Violent Nuisances To Build Brands Byron's Baby Birthday Proof Intellectual Property Copyright Images CPPDP

shared her photo — celebrating success with Valdin Legister and 4 others. November 21, 2016 at 7:53pm ·  Want to know about #ActiveinCommunities? 2 of my #Bredas from this foto are no longer with us. But the #Archives are available to do the #Research! Mervelee Ratty Nembhard is with Kevin Murray and 6 others. November 21, 2011 at 9:23pm ·  Anyone of Sporting Fame is here!!!! 1…

[nqynhhh]

Factors Contributing to Conflict on Social Media

Anonymity and Disinhibition Effect

The concept of the disinhibition effect, as introduced by Suler (2004), suggests that the anonymity provided by social media platforms can lead individuals to feel less restrained in their online behavior. This anonymity removes the typical social cues and accountability present in face-to-face interactions, allowing users to act out in ways they might avoid in real-life situations. As a result, people are more likely to engage in aggressive or hostile communication, often expressing opinions and emotions more freely and intensely than they would offline. This can lead to increased instances of cyberbullying, trolling, and other forms of online harassment, creating a toxic environment that exacerbates conflicts.

Echo Chambers and Polarization

Social media algorithms provide material that matches users' ideas and tastes to enhance interaction. Sunstein (2017) claims this creates echo chambers where users only see material that confirms their beliefs. Selective exposure can increase polarization by making people more partisan and less open to new ideas. Echo chambers prevent meaningful debate and understanding, dividing society. Lack of exposure to various viewpoints can also distort consensus, making people think their beliefs are more popular than they are.

Emotional Responses and Cognitive Biases

The fast-paced and impersonal nature of social media interactions can trigger strong emotional responses and cognitive biases. Kahneman (2011) explains that cognitive biases, such as the fundamental attribution error, can lead to misunderstandings and conflicts. The fundamental attribution error occurs when individuals attribute others' behavior to their character rather than situational factors. In the context of social media, where users have limited information about each other, this bias can result in negative assumptions and hostile interactions. Additionally, the immediacy of social media can amplify emotional reactions, leading to impulsive and heated exchanges that escalate conflicts rather than resolving them.

Lack of Nonverbal Cues

Online messages lack nonverbal indicators and social context to understand meaning and tone. Walther (1992) notes that this absence might cause misconceptions as users struggle to interpret written words' emotional complexity and intent. Facial expressions, body language, and tone of voice help communicate emotions and meaning in person. Without these cues, messages can be misconstrued, increasing conflict. The vagueness of social media texting leads to assumptions and misjudgments, which escalates misunderstandings and disagreements.

Misinformation and Disinformation

The spread of misinformation and disinformation on social media can significantly contribute to conflicts. Lazer et al. (2018) emphasize how false or misleading information can create a shared sense of grievance or outrage among users. Social media platforms facilitate the rapid dissemination of content, allowing misinformation to reach a wide audience quickly. This can lead to the formation of misinformed opinions and beliefs, fueling conflicts based on inaccurate or deceptive information. The virality of such content often exacerbates tensions, as users react to and share emotionally charged but false narratives. The resulting misunderstandings and divisions can deepen conflicts and undermine efforts to achieve consensus or resolution.

References

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