Senate Majority Leader Kipchumba Murkomen says high levels of depression cases which at times leads to suicide can be directly linked to social media bullying.
Psychologists have in the past agreed that social media bullying is dangerous for people who may not be able to manage their anger and could eventually succumb to suicide.
“People who have low self-esteem, poor impulse control or a tendency toward addiction should pay attention to their social media use. Contrary to many people’s fears, social media does not make someone more socially avoidant or isolated. In fact, it can do the opposite by providing access to people and resources,” notes Pamela Rutledge, a media psychologist.
The Elgeyo-Marakwet senator is not a stranger to online criticism and in the recent past, he has faced a wrath from a section of Twitter users who accuse him of defending people accused of corruption related cases.
On his Twitter on Twitter, Murkomen could not spare his online critics, accusing them of contributing towards the high cases of depression. He also advises people to ignore those who target them on social media.
"There is an online army of evil people out to bully,insult&demean you on social media.Don’t read their comments.Don’t take them serious.They are running away from their personal problems.Ignore the trend.They won’t take you anywhere. It’s fast forgotten.Stay cool.Avoid depression," argues Murkomen.
In the recent past, cases of suicide have been reported by the media with a number of them directly linked to online bullying. Cyber bullying is a crime under the Kenyan law.
Since the advancement of technology, majority of Kenyans have always taken to social media to advance an agenda. Usually, most of them use it to condemn cases of impunity. In some few instances, some use social media to character assassinate their critics.