The effect of bullying and cyberbullying on municipal officials, many of whom are volunteering their time for public service, was among the key topics of discussion at a municipal symposium in Gander on the weekend.
Coady says so-called keyboard warriors don’t seem to be aware of the real impact their activities are having on the people who have offered themselves to work for their communities.
“People who think it’s okay to says things online,” says Coady “throwing people’s names out there, without even giving a thought to how it’s going to affect that individual, or the councils that they’re working on” has an impact says Coady.
She says even though it doesn’t happen to everyone, when it does happen, cyberbullying has a dampening effect on attracting people to run for council.