Would you say it to their face?
ITV has joined forces with The Cybersmile Foundation to call for an end to online trolling. Social media has become a platform for bullying dressed up as banter with 93% adults* agreeing that people say things online that they would never say in real life. Just because something’s funny, doesn’t make it any less hurtful. That’s why we’re encouraging everyone to think before they post. If you wouldn’t say it to their face, then don’t send it in the first place.
*Source: Response from 1,009 adults aged 16+, YouGov/ITV tracker Feb 2023
A pair of hands scroll through a social media application. The first video shows someone on a skateboard. After swiping down, the next video shows a woman playing and running with her dog.
Swiping down again a video shows a woman sitting on an exercise bench. She is looking away in concentration as she lifts weights in front of a wall lined with mirrors. Text is overlaid on the video saying ‘Workin’ it’.
The hands click on the comment button and types “Looking manly … not for me!” with two laughing emojis. After the comment is posted, the camera shifts and we are in the room with the young woman. She looks at the viewer and stops lifting weights. Zooming in on her face, the woman looks perplexed and says “What sort of person says that?” The text says ‘If you wouldn’t say it, don’t send it.’. The ITV and Cybersmile Foundation logos and the website WouldYouSayIt.ITV are shown underneath.
A pair of hands scroll through a social media application. They stop on a photo of a middle aged white woman. The person scrolling scoffs. The woman in the post is smiling and holding up a tropical drink whilst sitting outside at a beach bar.
The hands click on the comment button. They type "Glammed up … she still looks cheap" with two crying, smiley face emojis.
After the comment is posted, the camera shifts and we are outside with the woman in the photo. There is a bar to the right of the women, and other tables, chairs and sun umbrellas behind her. Her smile drops and she puts her drink down on the table. We zoom into her face, she now looks upset and says ‘Was that really necessary?’. The text says “If you wouldn’t say it, don’t send it.” with the ITV and the Cybersmile Foundation logos next to the address WouldYouSayIt.ITV
Golden rules for posting online
1. If you wouldn’t say it to their face, don’t send it online.
2. Always put yourself in the receiver’s shoes. Think about how you’d feel.
3. Don’t follow the crowd. Agreeing with a hurtful comment is as bad as posting one.
4. Remember that your online footprint is permanent.
Been affected by online abuse?
Head over to The Cybersmile Foundation for help and advice
