Social media is a double-edged sword. While it can bring people together and create positive change, it can also be a breeding ground for cyberbullying and harassment. In a recent incident, a shipping mishap turned into a full-blown scandal, as two Etsy sellers were caught up in a TikTok drama that escalated into online bullying and harassment.
Breanna Chaplin, an Etsy customer, purchased a Christmas tumbler for $200 from Tarra Voorhees’ Etsy store, Voorhees Tumblers. However, the tumbler arrived with damages, including a missing chunk, cracks, and a poorly made straw hole in the plastic lid. Chaplin requested a refund, which Voorhees accepted and promised to investigate with UPS.
Unfortunately, things took a turn for the worse when Voorhees expressed disappointment about the breakage in a TikTok post. The comments section started filling up with criticism of her work. She went back to Chaplin and mentioned the criticism, and Chaplin said she shared pictures with others in the crafting community that might have sparked the negative comments. Voorhees then posted several TikToks, including one with Chaplin’s visible address, leading to Chaplin accusing Voorhees of doxxing her.
What started as a simple shipping mishap soon turned into a full-blown scandal, as the TikTok drama escalated into online bullying and harassment. Chaplin posted a TikTok showing the damaged tumbler and complaining about Voorhees’ language in responding to her. Other TikTok creators repeated Chaplin’s claims, leading to millions of views, which upset Voorhees, who received negative comments, death threats, and messages calling her derogatory names.
Insider reviewed the private messages between Chaplin and Voorhees, which turned sour when Voorhees accused Chaplin of “spreading lies” about her. Voorhees sent Chaplin an apology later that day, saying she’d let her emotions “get the best” of her, and that Chaplin’s address’ appearance in a video was an accident. Voorhees still believed that Chaplin wanted “drama over this cup” and accused the TikTok accounts of not checking their story, while Chaplin was saddened by the claim that she acted in bad faith.
This incident highlights the dark side of TikTok and the rise of cyberbullying. The power of social media to connect people and spread information can also be abused, leading to online harassment and bullying. It’s important to remember that there are real people behind the screens, and their actions can have serious consequences.
According to a recent study, over 50% of teens have experienced cyberbullying, and over 25% of them have experienced it more than once. Cyberbullying can have serious mental health consequences, including depression, anxiety, and even suicidal ideation.
Social media platforms have a responsibility to protect their users from cyberbullying and harassment. They should have clear policies in place to deal with these issues, and they should enforce them consistently. Users also have a responsibility to be mindful of their actions and the impact they have on others.
If you or someone you know is experiencing cyberbullying, there are resources available. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline provides crisis counseling and supports 24/7 at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).
