“Instant block.”
This was the recommendation of Lea Salonga to her Twitter followers during their short discussion on cyberbullies earlier today, June 30.
The Broadway artist opened the discussion about cyberbullying by asking her followers these questions: “How do we as a collective put an end to online bullying? What prompts the bullying in the first place?”
How do we as a collective put an end to online bullying? What prompts the bullying in the first place? Yes, I am asking for your opinions.
— Lea Salonga (@MsLeaSalonga) June 30, 2017
Then, she made a suggestion on how to deal with rude people on the internet.
“Communicate decently. Once the bullying or otherwise targeted uncouth speech begins, block asap,” she said.
How about we propose this: mag-usap nang matino at sumagot din nang matino. Pag may bastusan na, instant block. English translation coming.
— Lea Salonga (@MsLeaSalonga) June 30, 2017
Communicate decently. Once the bullying or otherwise targeted uncouth speech begins, block asap.
— Lea Salonga (@MsLeaSalonga) June 30, 2017
Pero ang sa akin lang: bastusin mo ako, o ang pamilya at mga kaibigan ko, hindi kita kakausapin. Bakit pa ba?
— Lea Salonga (@MsLeaSalonga) June 30, 2017
Lea's post instantly received reactions, mostly agreeing to what she said.
Sabi nga nila, "to make patol is human; to make deadma is divine!" ????
— The Erwinator (@Cust3rw1nst0n) June 30, 2017
right on. do not engage, do not satisfy their need for validation. sometimes they are like kids acting out, to get attention.
— Anna (@avvazoi) June 30, 2017
I mean, we can totally do that, not respond to haters. We can deflect the hateful comments/msgs directed towards us..
— Katrina Alyssa (@katrinagmendoza) June 30, 2017
Bigyan ng pansin ang maayos na magandang comment, deadma sa bastos na comment.
— Khaleesi Mhysa???????????? (@aeofiemarie) June 30, 2017
The Voice coach also pointed out some people change their behavior when they are online.
“Why do the rules governing face to face human interaction change once these same humans are online?” she asked.
One question I do have is this: why do the rules governing face to face human interaction change once these same humans are online?
— Lea Salonga (@MsLeaSalonga) June 30, 2017
Netizens then told her about the convenience of bashing people online using an anonymous or fake account.
It's easy to hide behind all these anonymous/fake accounts on social media. Wish there's a better system for it though.
— Julia (@jbtrzcrls) June 30, 2017
I doubt if people would still be courageous enough to do the things they do if there's a more legitimate verification process in soc media
— Julia (@jbtrzcrls) June 30, 2017
Also with the freedom to make dummy accounts, sobrang tapang nila mang bully. They hide behind their fake online identities kaya matapang
— ?????????Franz Dacanay (@imfranzdacs) June 30, 2017
To which Lea, who has been speaking out against cyberbullying, replied, “So bale, maraming duwag sa internet. Kunwari matapang. Yun pala tapang-tapangan lang.”
So bale, maraming duwag sa internet. Kunwari matapang. Yun pala tapang-tapangan lang.
— Lea Salonga (@MsLeaSalonga) June 30, 2017
She also stressed the right to have an opinion is not an excuse for disrespectful discussion.
“We can have such a thing as RESPECTFUL DISSENT. A difference of opinion doesn't have to mean venom hurled by both sides.”
We can have such a thing as RESPECTFUL DISSENT. A difference of opinion doesn't have to mean venom hurled by both sides.
— Lea Salonga (@MsLeaSalonga) June 30, 2017
Lea is aware that cyberbullies have been affecting celebrities greatly.
“They're targets. I can't blame a lot of celebs for leaving social media,” she said.
They're targets. I can't blame a lot of celebs for leaving social media.
— Lea Salonga (@MsLeaSalonga) June 30, 2017
Earlier this month, Maine Mendoza deactivated her Twitter account because, she said in a blog post, “Twitterworld’s been really toxic lately.”
Liza Soberano also recently expressed her disgust on cyberbullying towards celebrities.
Tired of social media and the verbal abuse celebrities get online.
— Liza Soberano (@lizasoberano) June 23, 2017
In 2015, the next Darna temporarily deactivated her Twitter account because of the fans bashing other celebrities.
Read: Liza Soberano explains why she temporarily deactivated her Twitter account
Meanwhile, Lea shared her discovery of a Twitter option that can help lessen negativity on Twitter feed.
“Ooh, Twitter now has a filter to automatically mute posts from handles without profile pictures.
“Yaaaaas!!! Goodbye, eggheads!!!”
Ooh, Twitter now has a filter to automatically mute posts from handles without profile pictures. Yaaaaas!!! Goodbye, eggheads!!!
— Lea Salonga (@MsLeaSalonga) June 30, 2017