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Brandon Ellrich's avatar

I think most about the bullying I experienced growing up. Kids can be brutal in person, but online... they have no filters or inhibitions. Like you said in the recording, they have no hesitation about what they say. On the other hand, I'd be more accepted for being gay today than when I grew up.

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Samantha Kemp-Jackson's avatar

So true, Brandon. Kids have even more free reign to be mean though bullying in the age of social media. It's unfortunately so easy to be a troll behind an anonymous account. Keyboard warriors thrive on the Internet, unfortunately. On the brighter side with your last observation, this is also true, fortunately. When I was growing up as a teenager in the 80s, young people were not encouraged to be their true selves, and homophobia was rampant. I'm not saying that it doesn't exist now - sadly it still does - but I do believe that with these younger generations, being gay is not something that is or should be stigmatized. I think that the kids now understand that people just are who they are - it's not complicated. This, at least, is one of the more positive aspects of living in what is an otherwise crazy world.

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Rick Kogucki's avatar

Likewise. Some things are best forgotten. This generation is learning the hard way, but that' s nothing new for adolescents.

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Samantha Kemp-Jackson's avatar

The issue is that this generation gets to have their mistakes solidified in pixels for eternity. Yikes.

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