Prince George, B.C. – Social media can be a platform to promote yourself, receive news instantaneously and to make new friends.

But it also has a darker side one should remember in commemoration of Pink Shirt Day this week – cyberbullying.

“With social media, you can put something out there and it can be public very, very quickly,” says Tim Bennett, executive director of Big Brothers Big Sisters Prince George (BBBS).

“You also now have all of these other ways to put out comments where you aren’t held accountable. If you look at all these new social media platforms, you can go out there and say something without any repercussions.”

He says victims of bullying commonly suffer from a decrease in self-esteem as shown in a recent study by BBBS Canada and the Centre for Addictions and Mental Health.

“Bullying has an impact not only on your self-esteem but then you see a decrease in your grades, a decrease in involvement in extra-curriculars, depending on the extent of it you could be looking at drug and alcohol experimentation at a younger age all because of the decrease in a child’s self-esteem.”

So what advice does BBBS have should you find yourself the victim of cyberbullying?

“I would say seek support in any way you can,” says operations and events assistant Cassie Lobban.

“Look towards the people in your life that are mentors or who are important to you and try to seek support from them. Get their help, ask for their advice as well as just make sure you tell someone.”