We have to take responsibility for the damage we cause on the web, says Mara Ferraz

“The cruelty of human beings is often compared to that of wild beasts, but this is insulting wild beasts,” wrote the Russian Fyodor Dostoevsky, author of great works based on the evil of men and women.

The rise of social media proves him right when he reflected more than 150 years ago. The virtual environment is the scene of an endless poison capable of causing deep emotional pain and even death. Yes, we can be worse than violent animals.

An example of this harmful potential are attacks on women – famous and anonymous – who report sex offenders. Much of the internet, even among female audiences, seeks to delegitimize victims.

“There is a lack of empathy with the pain of others. Seeing is not for those who have eyes, but for those who can hear. We must praise the courage of those who felt humiliated and understood that exposing themselves was a way to protect themselves and others. This lack of solidarity cannot be explained, it is only sorry,” says journalist and 40+ influencer Mara Ferraz.

Specialized at the University of Coimbra, Portugal, the communicator says she understands the paralyzing fear of pressing charges and making public the violence suffered.

“I’ve never had that experience before, but I probably would have been too scared to report years ago. Today, the law, communication and support network are effective for victims to break the silence. To speak means to free oneself”.

Mara Ferraz defends the responsibility of those who carry out cowardly attacks on the internet against fragile people.

“We’ve seen desperate posts, reports of hospitalizations for depression treatment and even suicides caused by comments that add nothing to each other’s lives,” he says.

The journalist suggests common sense before expressing an opinion in controversial cases. “We must be careful not to judge what we read without first judging who we are, what we do and where our feet have already set foot. When we make mistakes, we have to admit, apologize and rebuild.

Source: Terra