April Reimer, wife of Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender James Reimer and a Maple Ridge resident, has launched an online campaign aimed at making social media more civil.
April experienced online bullying during the 2013-2014 NHL season. Her then newlywed husband was not performing up to the expectations of the Leafs fans on some nights, and those who wanted to lash out on social media found that the goalie does not have a Twitter account – but his wife does.
The harassment April endured became national news. Fans even got a hold of her person cell phone number, and she got disturbing anonymous calls and texts.
Many goaltenders are the frequent whipping boy for hockey pundits and fans, but the tone of the tweets was crude, profane, offensive and, ultimately, the Reimers got the police involved.
In response, April has started the #tweetsweet campaign, which offers free tickets to Leafs games, randomly drawn twice per month, for people who make positive tweets or Facebook comments and use the trademark hashtag.
“I hope that through this campaign it will shed a light on the issue of cyber-bullying,” April said from Toronto.
Her goal is to see #tweetsweet go viral, and potentially spread to all NHL cities in Canada, with all teams offering tickets to support a more civil online community.
She speaks at schools in Ontario, and has partnered with the Canadian Safe Schools Network.
April and James have shared time between Maple Ridge and Toronto, so April was well aware of the Amanda Todd story.
The teen took her own life after being bullied at local schools and on social media.
It illustrates how damaging cyber bullying can be, said April, a Garibaldi secondary graduate.
“It is, in some cases, the worst form because the bullies feel so much more freedom and security to say terrible things from behind a screen rather than to that person’s face.”
Todd’s situation also showed how people can find it impossible to escape cyber-bullying, said April.
“In Amanda Todd’s situation, it demonstrates how hurtful and harmful it can be. Also, in her case, it shows how the bullies don’t stay at school anymore. You bring them home with you on your phone or you turn on your computer once you get home and they are right there. Amanda changed schools, but the internet is everywhere and she couldn’t get away from her bullies. My heart goes out to her family.”
April said any young person is more susceptible to negative comments. Adults can put hurtful comments into proper perspective and move on. Teenagers are a “blank canvass,” April added.
“… that’s what makes the cyber-bullies so strong and hurtful, because their words can sway what that individual thinks about them self.
“That’s why if people are spreading positive messages to each other through #tweetsweet, hopefully one student who has heard harmful words from others online will receive something positive about the self and will make them feel valued.”
April said people need to speak up about cyber-bullying and call for more civil online behaviour, before it becomes a bigger problem.
“Seventy-eight per cent of teens have a cell phone and use it regularly, and hopefully through #tweetsweet it will inform students how to use their phones and words for building others up rather than kicking them down.”
Greg Dalman, pastor at Maple Ridge Alliance Church since 1998, supports his daughter’s campaign.
“I’m pleased with what she’s doing, and what has taken place. Anytime you see your kids doing good things, as a parent, it makes you proud.”
April called the support for #tweetsweet, which has included national news coverage, overwhelming.
“When introducing a new idea, you don’t know how people will respond, but everyone has really embraced the idea and started sending out #tweetsweets.”