Bullying has been a real concern in various vocations and locations. See Workplace Bullying (February 2020). Suing Social Media (January 2023); AI and the Singer (January 2024); and Deepfakes in Florida (March 2024). This occurs in the workplace and impacts efficacy and efficiency. As a foundational element of work, it can also play a role in injury, recovery, and return to work.
Recent news of social media exchanges brought these thoughts back to me. Certainly, the latest examples focus on the interactions of Olympians, but the context for any workplace or employee remains similar.
At the outset, let's remember that there is ample room in the social media space for both the reward of oxytocin and dopamine doses as you revel in the approval and adulation of "friends." Of course, the opposite impact is bad feelings or worse that come from public criticism or ridicule. See Why young brains are especially vulnerable to social media, from the American Psychological Association. Some of the drive to use social media is the chemical reward it can generate. That is, we may think that we like social media when what we really like is far more base.
ABC News reports that two gymnasts have had a tete-a-tete on social media. It apparently began when one Ms. Skinner was not chosen for the 2024 Olympic team, and publicly expressed some disappointment in the appointed team:
“I feel like the talent and the depth just isn’t what it used to be ... obviously, a lot of the girls don’t work as hard.”
Possibly, someone selected for the team might take that as an indictment of either talent or work ethic. In any event, social media allows you to get whatever vexes you off your chest at any time from any place (well if there is internet there). It has become a ubiquitous method of social interaction for many. With any post, video, or interaction, there is the chance for applause, "likes," or other approval. And, with approval comes oxytocin and dopamine.
Make no mistake, claim no high ground, everyone enjoys a shot of these chemicals. There are no abstainers. Some of us may produce more than others. Some may be more attuned to them than others. Nonetheless, everyone experiences these "feel good" chemicals released from the hypothalamus, and we are likely to seek to trigger their release. People like to feel good. This is part of the social media draw, and too often addiction.
What Ms. Skinner learned the hard way is that when you call someone a name, insult them, or deride them, there is a chance they may respond in a less-than-positive manner. It is possible that those you are mean to may respond instead of turning the other cheek. Go figure. As a side note, this is a good reason to think before you speak, or so said my third-grade teacher.
Weeks passed, and the athletes gathered in Paris for the quadrennial financial debacle that the modern Olympics have become. They slept on cardboard beds, complained about the food, and lamented that their hosts eschewed modern comforts like air conditioning and unsanitary competition conditions. The stories flew of their success, failure, and gender. And, if you paid attention to social media, many an observer noted her/his/its perspective(s), reaction(s), and thought(s). Even attendees found things about which to complain. In the end, I cannot express how pleased I am to miss such crowds and congestion; certainly a grand event, but not my thing.
Well, the team Ms. Skinner was not a part of and did not travel with to Paris was ultimately successful. Through whatever course, they prevailed with a "team gold medal." I will be the first to label the main forces in such an achievement as skill, perseverance, strength, and character. But, to be fair, every such success has an element of luck. We so often see a missed handle, a slip, or other inadvertence that interferes with some or all of the main forces and disappointment may ensue despite the greatest skill.
After the award of the "team gold medal," one of the successful gymnasts, Ms. Biles, posted on social media in a manner that seemed to be about Ms. Skinner's criticism and characterizations. The result was apparently that this response and "clap back" stimulated feelings and emotions in those who follow and adulate Ms. Biles. They began to post comments, responses, and more about and to Ms. Skinner.
The news reported that after enduring the cyberbullying from Ms. Biles' fans and followers, Ms. Skinner returned to social media and implored Ms. Biles to ask her millions of "followers" to "stop..cyberbullying her." Such has happened in other instances. She described attacks, death threats, and challenges to mental health, and asked for help. Is it surprising that people can be abusive on the internet? See Anonymity and Social Intelligence (July 2022). The answer is "no." It is lamentable, but it is not surprising.
Some may see justification or excuse. I was immediately reminded of my third-grade teacher's other great lesson and admonition when people complained about the actions of others. There was never much appreciation for the defense of "but she started it." Nonetheless that defense was pled often and strenuously in the third grade. Didn't work so well then, should it now?
That American gymnastics situation is significantly different, perhaps, from the vitriol being directed at an Australian Olympian. She is a seemingly good-natured entrant in a debut 2024 Olympic break-dancing event that has been labeled simply "breaking." According to the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), she has been subjected to criticism for her art, her moves, her wardrobe, and more. The Internet critics have less than generous. The leader of the Australian delegation has noted her bravery and enthusiasm for the new sport and for her participation. He noted
"I think that what has occurred on social media with trolls and keyboard warriors, and taking those comments and giving them air time, has been really disappointing."
See, the "she started it" won't work here. This Olympian merely showed up. She was different. She was not successful. Reportedly, she did not win a single round, and did not attract even a single vote. But, she participated, proudly. She was derided, degraded, and mobbed by a cascade of criticisms.
Why do the keyboard cowfolks (a non-gender-specific reference to a rodeo with no intention of belittling or maligning those who participate in such) find joy in deriding or degrading their fellow internet denizens? We can be just as stimulated by our decision to take up for someone or to defend someone. Our chivalry and enthusiasm may themselves provide us with feelings of self-worth, altruism, championing, and pride. That may drive us to defend someone on the playground of yesterday or the social media wasteland of today.
That said, you could always defend that kid on the playground without threatening the offender's family, well-being, or life. The defense of someone need not take the tack of threatening the offender. Violence is rarely the answer (but see self-defense) and as rarely threats of violence. Can one simply "clap back" at someone's comments and thoughts without descending into the darkness of personal degradation, threats, and bullying? Of course. Tell someone you disagree, support and elevate some competitor or rival. But there is no need to degrade, attack, or threaten.
In the end, there is room to learn from this example. First, don't clap if you can't take the clap back. Do not start the argument and then express surprise that it proceeds in an unintended direction. Ms. Skinner clapped in public, and despite apologizing thereafter in "personal text messages," her public comments had taken root. In this age, what goes on the internet stays on the internet. Second, the world of social media is rife with opportunities for half-truths, communication errors, and misperceptions. It is an inherent risk with all of the platforms.
In the end, these interchanges illustrate how comments and responses can escalate. It is a fundamental risk of the social interaction that modern platforms facilitate. Social media allows the transmission of thoughts far, wide, and easily. However, that facilitation applies equally to the intended message and any unintended consequences or implications. These can and will interfere with relationships, interactions, and workplaces.
Management's challenge is not different in the social media context than in the in-person workplace bullying. Location changes, perhaps intensity changes (I only have two friends on Facebook also, thanks Mom), and perhaps speed changes. So social media may be the easier bullying. However, there is a real probability that bullying exists in any workplace, and the tools of social media may well exacerbate and aggravate that in various ways.
As the safety culture so often reminds us, "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure" (Ben Franklin, 1735). Awareness of this potential and its impact on workplace health and safety is critical.
