Earlier this week, Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg announced during a conference that an equivalent of a “dislike” button is in the works.

Facebook leaders say the need for the dislike button is derived from the need for Facebook users to support a post that would be awkward to “like.” For example, when someone posts about a tragedy like the Boston bombing or the loss of a loved one, it can be strange to say you “like” the post, when in fact what you mean is that you support it.

Zuckerberg and his staff are wary of calling the button a “dislike” button because of the negative connotation that comes with the word.

I couldn’t help but realize how unfortunate it is that we have to worry about the repercussions of offering people the chance to negatively react to social media posts. Do we really live in a society where people would abuse the opportunity?

Unfortunately, I think the answer is yes.

Bullying is no new problem in schools. Although it has evolved from the days of stealing lunch money and pommeling youngsters on the playground, the issue is alive and real, and unfortunately, the problem continues after children and adolescents leave school premises.

According to stopbullying.gov, 25.2 percent of female high school students in Michigan reported being bullied electronically in 2013. About 12.5 percent of Michigan high school males reported the same.

In 2014, a survey by stopbullying.com said that 55 percent of teens who use social media have witnessed cyber bullying online, and 95 percent of those who had witnessed it have not reported it. The same survey said that 52 percent of American teenagers felt they were bullied online, in 2014.

I find it sad that Facebook has to worry about allowing users a chance to “dislike” posts, for fear of offering a convenient outlet for people to express distaste for others.

As students head back to school, perhaps it is time to address the potential problems they may be facing. Stopbullying.gov offers some helpful tips:

• Talk to your school about whether they have a policy regarding technology and bullying, and communicate the policy to your child if there is one.

• Know the sites your children visit, and frequent them yourself.

• If your child has a Facebook account (or any social media account), ask for their passwords. Friend request or follow their accounts to keep an eye on their actions — as well as their Facebook friends’ actions.

• Encourage your child to tell you immediately if they, or someone they know, is being cyber bullied. Explain that you will not take away their computers or cell phones if they confide in you about a problem they are having.

I appreciate Facebook’s efforts and caution when addressing this issue, and hope Facebook users and parents of Facebook users will proceed with the same careful consideration.

 

Ambrosia Neldon is the managing editor at Leader Publication. She can be reached by phone at (269) 687-7713, or by email at ambrosia.neldon@leaderpub.com.