Gwyneth Paltrow Right about Online Bullying
Celebrities are often easy targets for Internet trolls and Gwyneth Paltrow is no stranger to this reality. In the recent Code Conference of the Silicon Valley, the "conscious uncoupling" actress was the surprise speaker in the event, according to Recode. She believes that Facebook is sexist and it is the one to blame for everything and explained how she had undergone problems because of online trolls.
There are many celebrities who have received negative comments from unknown users in social media and the sense of anonymity made it possible. In the social media world, users may hide in pseudo-names and talk nasty not only to famous individuals but also ordinary people. Although Paltrow does acknowledge that being in the limelight makes them more prone to haters.
"The lack of empathy that is created when people can anonymously opine about the looks or actions of others... It's where we are in our culture," the famous star said. It is for this reason that Paltrow feels worried for the next generation because the lack of punishment for the cruelty of people in the Internet.
Several Australian public figures who have been bullied online came forward to tell their stories. One of the most prominent fighters against cyberbullying is Charlotte Dawson. Though she has fought valiantly against Twitter trolls, in the end she has been overcome by depression and chose to end all of it.
The dialogue to stop online bullying has already been started but there are still no concrete plans on how to go about them. According to ABC News, Facebook, Google, Microsoft and Yahoo all signed up for a Federal Government scheme that will handle the complaints of bullying from these social media sites and a legally binding scheme for cyber trolls is being developed by the Coalition Government.
Some of the reality stars who were not liked by the public have also experienced the same wrath that Charlotte Dawson has experienced. Stars from "My Kitchen Rules" and "When Love Comes to Town" have shared their experiences on how appearing on these shows have dramatically changed their lives as people personally targets them.
Gwyneth Paltrow may not be the most liked person in social media and she knows that. "I see myself as a chalkboard or a whiteboard or a screen, and someone is just putting up their own projection on it," the award winning actress said.
Perhaps online bullying might not be resolved overnight but these dialogues may help set the plans in eradicating them in motion.