Well, well, well...
This is a really complex thing, I think... for me, wrapping some perspective around it all is essential. For example: In the last 25 years or so, this whole thing called "Cyberspace" has evolved, and with it a sort of potentially "violent" type of communication made possible by the relative anonymity of being able to "hide behind the screen." So-called "cyberbullies" will express themselves in ways they would never consider, if face-to-face with the same person.
So in looking at this, I feel inclined to remind myself that the "vitriol level" in dialogue has been dialed up some from when I was a kid (in the 1960s and 70s).
My concern is people are being taught they have no control over their feelings.
And that's certainly a concern for me, as well. Maybe these go hand in hand: As the "violence" went up on one side, so the "oversensitivity" went up on the other.
I did come across some of those brain studies (mostly done via fMRI monitoring) which have been around for a while... the one I mostly remember is that evidently shaming someone lights up the same areas of the brain as excruciating physical pain.
But I'm talking about deliberate verbal maliciousness here, not people getting bent out of shape over someone's kidding around. Or being offended by "certain words" used by their boss or friends. That seems to have just gone over the edge.
That said, back when I was in boarding school (late 1970s) I did walk into the showers one morning to find a kid who'd hung himself with his judo belt. A slight and soft spoken kid who had been relentlessly tormented by some older boys for months... insisting on a number of occasions that he should just kill himself because the world would be a better place without losers like him. So he did.
Words can also be weapons. And "spells."
Good point! I know there are cases where people can go too far and take things to far over the top, but that is not "Most Cases" that people talk about when they are discussing bullying.
However, I am glad you made the point!