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Social Media Posts Trauma Survivors Do Not Want to See
I look forward to my morning scroll. First thing in the morning, I shuffle my pajamaed body to my computer with tea in one hand. What treasures or ideas will I uncover today? There I am, happily munching away on my toast when a post will appear that is upsetting or downright nauseating. Some posts can ruin my day.
I experienced the trauma of bullying and emotional and physical abuse growing up. I have had to deal with some symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Some social media posts remind me of past pain or make me angry.
Verbal and physical abuse online
Nothing makes my day merrily roll along than seeing a video of strange teens hitting and kicking each other or someone yelling at staff at McDonalds because their burger was not what they ordered. Really gives me a happy McHappy Day — not.
While these kinds of videos may help expose crimes or the need for other corrective measures, I do not want to see them in my newsfeed. The world seems to have become insensitive to violence, but I am not. I grew up with “spankings” that left me black and blue and bullies who ridiculed me. When I see people being hurt, it can trigger memories of the physical pain and emotional distress I experienced during a dysfunctional childhood and adolescence. Argh.
