Internet Bullying

By now, we've come to terms with the fact that all sorts of things happen on Social Media that defy the laws of what used to be normal communication.  We say things to get attention, we call people negative when they disagree with us, and we post cloaked messages to and about people who aren't even on our list of friends.  Incredulous!
By far, the most disturbing are the threats.  You've seen them:

Share if you support (insert cause here)

Keep scrolling if you don't care.

Then there are the status messages that suggest you never read your friends' status updates and if you do you'll re-post it as your own.  Can't forget the event or cause of the moment - post a pic of mom for Mother's Day or a ribbon for (insert cause) and on and on.  It's pack mentality, to the point where you're almost an outcast for not participating.
The most outrageous of the threats is the "I'll defriend you."  Let's break this one down from my point of view.

1. Friends
   My friends don't make silly threats like this.  The people I call my friends know me well enough to know that I'd try them for saying something similar.  It's ridiculous to threaten adults on the world wide playground.  Take your ball and go home.
2. Taking Offense
   Something is offensive to all of us.  Whether it's a cause or a person or the story of the week, we rally for and against something on a daily basis.  We won't agree on everything - that's not natural.  So get over yourself and I'll do the same.
3. It's the INTERNET
   Losing sleep over a post is abnormal.  She made a comment contrary to mine and we had a virtual debate (yes, argument) about it.  Doesn't mean I love her any less.  He posted a picture making light of an event.  It's either funny or it's not.  It's not a commentary of how we feel about one another.
4. Unresolved Issues
   The reason that something bothers us, to the point where we'd place unrealistic demands on the actions of others, likely means we haven't dealt with and moved on from that issue.  Any mention of it brings back the emotions from that time period (feel free to admit this in total privacy during the wee hours of the morning).  We sometimes lash out at others because we're stuck in that space and we take their poking fun or contrary viewpoints as personal affronts.  (Therapists: please chime in here.)
5. Know Your Friends
   Everyone is not your friend. Adjectives like "true" and "real" are over-used and maddeningly needless if we use the denotation of words and not the new cultural connotation.  So I'll restate it -- everyone is NOT your friend.  Friends know where you live and visit you and go on vacation with you and visit you in the hospital -- without the aid of the website.  They know when a relationship status changes and call to find out how you're feeling, instead of waiting for a post.  They don't need to FOLLOW because they are THERE.  They know that our support for, and of, one another is what bonds us and no post can change that.

I don't know how to stop bullying, especially on the internet.  To be honest, it doesn't bother me.  I laugh at it and keep scrolling.  So, I don't have any great advice or a 5 step method to stop internet bullying.  But I know that a bully can't bully alone.  It takes a victim for it to work.  For all I know, I may BE the bully of the internet.  Shame on me if I am and shame on you if you allow it.