NationStates Jolt Archive

Cyber bullying is getting bad to an extreme. I'm sure the myspace incident is more than enough viable proof but for those who require more officialism. There was an actual study. I think to do our part the MODs should toughen up on cyber bullying.

http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2007/11/27/more-teens-victimized-by-cyber-bullies/

*hits alt-F4 and closes cell phone* Wait..what? I am not sure, but I think someone was trying to bully me. :eek:
I am deeply hurt.

have you noticed bullying here or are you suggesting that our mods go enforce the rules at myspace?

have you noticed bullying here or are you suggesting that our mods go enforce the rules at myspace?

I've been bullied *sobs*

Ok? Isn't that what the delete key is for?

I am just not seeing how the so called bullies work over text messaging?

What am I missing?

Ok? Isn't that what the delete key is for?

I am just not seeing how the so called bullies work over text messaging?

What am I missing?

Have you seen how they format that text?

With colours and all sorts of insidious sh!t.

Would make a grown man tremble.

I've been bullied *sobs*

i told you you should start spanking those kids!

have you noticed bullying here or are you suggesting that our mods go enforce the rules at myspace?

People constantly troll and flame each other here and frequently go unpunished.
And I am also stating that electronis aggression aka cyber bullying has hit an extreme of all sorts.

As more and more young people have access to computers and cell phones, a new risk to teens is beginning to emerge. Electronic aggression, in the form of threatening text messages and the spread of online rumors on social networking sites, is a growing concern. Researchers estimate that between 9 percent and 34 percent of youth are victims of so-called “cyber-bullies.” And as many as one out of five teens has bullied another youth using digital media, reports a special issue of the Journal of Adolescent Health . . . Although the majority of kids who are harassed online aren’t physically bothered in person, the cyber-bully still takes a heavy emotional toll on his or her victims. Kids who are tormented online are more likely to get a detention or be suspended, skip school and experience emotional distress, the medical journal reports. Teens who receive rude or nasty comments via text messages are six times more likely to say they feel unsafe at school.

The myspace incident falls under the spreading of rumors and mean, nasty comments. And many of the kinds of cyber bullying mentioned occasionally happen here, all I'm suggesting is that we ovoid letting NSG become a troll infested hell hole and do something to deter those kinds of unacceptable behaviors here.

i told you you should start spanking those kids!

*buys hotshot*

Cyber-bullying tactics include humiliation, destructive messages, gossip, slander and other “virtual taunts” communicated through e-mail, instant messaging, chat rooms and blogs.
How is that any worse than regular bullying? It sounds like kids are doing what they do normally just over electronics, but somehow thats so much worse and deserves its own name. People gossip, slander, taunt, and humiliate no matter what the medium they do it through

Ok? Isn't that what the delete key is for?

I am just not seeing how the so called bullies work over text messaging?

What am I missing?

Some people are the type that holds other people's opinions of them dear and really important (its a stupid teenage highschool thing) and MUST pay attention to these things.

How is that any worse than regular bullying? It sounds like kids are doing what they do normally just over electronics, but somehow thats so much worse and deserves its own name. People gossip, slander, taunt, and humiliate no matter what the medium they do it through

Yes your right, it's equally as bad and should be stopped/ prevented, thats why I posted this thread.

Or we could all laugh about the bullying issue and go roast a n00b?

I would like to point out that we are not all locked into the internet or this forum.

I would like to point out that we are not all locked into the internet or this forum.

Ahh..*sighs wistfully, glancing at iron shackles*
Speak for the free mate..

What is so special about the internet that would have prevented bullying from occurring? It is not like it has some internal bully filter.

Reports like these deserve only lulz.

Is it bullying if you ask permission first?

I would like to point out that we are not all locked into the internet or this forum.

This problem is spreading through the whole internet, the least we can do is prevent it from spreading here.

This problem is spreading through the whole internet, the least we can do is prevent it from spreading here.

*runs into NSG screaming for mercy*
Sanctuary! Sanctuary!

Ahh..*sighs wistfully, glancing at iron shackles*
Speak for the free mate..

I bet Kat even disabled your ignore function too.

Internet abduction, now that is a problem that needs to be addressed.

*punches bann-ed*

*takes milk money*

This problem is has always existed throughout the whole internet, the least we can do is prevent it from spreading here.Fixed.

Fixed.

Be that as it may the problem is intensifying rapidly.

I bet Kat even disabled your ignore function too.
Where is the ignore button?
Internet abduction, now that is a problem that needs to be addressed.
Never has it been a more pressing issue. The abduction rates have been on the rise strangely proportional to the rise in 'file' sharing sites. It is suspected we have found the 'trade routes'.

*punches bann-ed*

*takes milk money*

*cries over spilt milk*

Some people are the type that holds other people's opinions of them dear and really important (its a stupid teenage highschool thing) and MUST pay attention to these things.

OK. Why should we care? Are we somehow required to ensure you don't get your sensitive feelings hurt?

Be that as it may the problem is intensifying rapidly.I doubt that. The internet has always been a mean, mean place. It only seems like it is getting worse because more and more people are getting on and experiencing the mean.

Never has it been a more pressing issue. The abduction rates have been on the rise strangely proportional to the rise in 'file' sharing sites. It is suspected we have found the 'trade routes'.

So many posters are getting puppets, but us true aristocrats know that real luxury is in slave accounts.

OK. Why should we care? Are we somehow required to ensure you don't get your sensitive feelings hurt?

Ummmm, its not about me its about ALL victims. And you are quite obviously one of the perpetrators. You seem to always twist everything so its in some way targeted against me. We should care about the victims because helping others and stopping malicious bad people is a good thing. Do you get it now? *pats you on the head* ;)

We should care about the victims

Why? Why should I give a damn if people are mean to you, or anyone else? You're not held here, you are not required to be here. Nobody obligates you to be here.

If people treat you in a way that is illegal, contact the police and let them do their job.

If people treat you in a way that is contrary to forum rules, contact the moderators, and let them do their job.

If neither of those things are true, and you still don't like it, leave. We're obligated to follow the rules of the forum, nothing more. Nobody here is obligated to make sure your feelings don't get hurt. You can not classify yourself as a "victim" when you are fully in control of the situation.

As an ex-Myspace Rock Forum regular (if you've ever been to that shithole, you'll know what I'm talking about), I think it's safe to assume I've done my fair share and gotten my fair share of cyber bullying, some more extreme, some less.
Seriously, it's not that bad. Some people just really need to get thicker skin.


What I do think is a more serious issue on the internet is stalking. In 2006, a girl named Kayla Reed who went to our school got snatched, and the cops suspected it was because she met and told too much to somebody on her myspace (http://www.myspace.com/kaylareed). A few months later they found her body in the creek.


People complaining about cyber bullying are barking up the wrong tree.

So many posters are getting puppets, but us true aristocrats know that real luxury is in slave accounts.

*thwacks the OP over the head and stuffs him into a potatoe sack*

Have to get 'em when they're fresh.

What I do think is a more serious issue on the internet is stalking. In 2006, a girl named Kayla Reed who went to our school got snatched, and the cops suspected it was because she met and told too much to somebody on her myspace (http://www.myspace.com/kaylareed). A few months later they found her body in the creek.

This I tend to agree with. Obviously there are certain things one should not do online, but sometimes I think the message doesn't get through.

People constantly troll and flame each other here and frequently go unpunished.
How about if anyone feels bullied, they can go into the mod thread and say so.

The last thing we need is more content control around here.

First, requests to the Moderators need to go to the Moderation board (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/forumdisplay.php?f=1231). We don't normally look for requests for Moderator action in General.

Second, NationStates rules already prohibit anything that is obscene, defamatory, threatening, malicious, illegal, or spam. Report any forum post or thread that violates any of these clauses to the Moderation board, and report any in-game violation through the Getting Help (http://www.nationstates.net/-1/page=help) page.

Third, we need specifics to act on. "Nation X violated Rule Y in Post/Topic/Telegram/Region Z" is specific and verifiable. "Cyber bullying is getting bad on NationStates" is too vague to be useful. If you see a problem that you think needs Moderator attention, you need to point towards specific examples.

Fourth, this is a political discussion forum. Arguments are to be expected. But, as long as it doesn't violate the obscene, defamatory, threatening, malicious, illegal, or spam clauses (which are elaborated upon in the One-Stop Rules Shop (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=416023)), it's not actionable.

Fifth, it is generally advisable not to release too much private information about yourself on a public venue.

--The Modified Democratic States of Cogitation
"Think about it for a moment."
NationStates Forum Moderator

*snip*

How come you no come by no more Coggy?

*sniff*

Stopped loving us?

How come you no come by no more Coggy?

*sniff*

Stopped loving us?Exploring the wide world of Al Gore's Internet!

Besides, does it really matter? I'm here now, right? :p

--The Jovial States of Cogitation
NationStates Self-Proclaimed Court Jester

Cyber bullying is getting bad to an extreme. I'm sure the myspace incident is more than enough viable proof but for those who require more officialism. There was an actual study. I think to do our part the MODs should toughen up on cyber bullying.

http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2007/11/27/more-teens-victimized-by-cyber-bullies/

Perhaps people with decency and self respect don't whine to internet mommy about the huwtful cybwer buwwying.

Perhaps a long period of silent reflection would be better than airing one's dirty laundry in public?

You know, I kinda agree with South Lizasauria. It's obvious that the world is filled with bastards, but that's really no excuse for that to continue. It really doesn't hurt to be a little nicer to people.

Cyber bullying is getting bad to an extreme. I'm sure the myspace incident is more than enough viable proof but for those who require more officialism. There was an actual study. I think to do our part the MODs should toughen up on cyber bullying.

http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2007/11/27/more-teens-victimized-by-cyber-bullies/



Shut up n00b and give me your cyber lunch money, or face my hax.

Shut up n00b and give me your cyber lunch money, or face my hax.

*brandishes a 2x4 with a nail sticking out* Make me. :p

You know, I kinda agree with South Lizasauria. It's obvious that the world is filled with bastards, but that's really no excuse for that to continue. It really doesn't hurt to be a little nicer to people.
I only ever post on General, so I can't say whether there's a problem on II or RP. But here, on NSG, there really is no bullying problem.

I've been bullied *sobs*

*gives cookie* There there.

Ummmm, its not about me its about ALL victims. And you are quite obviously one of the perpetrators. You seem to always twist everything so its in some way targeted against me. We should care about the victims because helping others and stopping malicious bad people is a good thing. Do you get it now? *pats you on the head* ;)

Not that I think internet bullying is a good thing... but aren't you one of those fellas that doesn't like the idea of a "nanny state"?

Not that I think internet bullying is a good thing... but aren't you one of those fellas that doesn't like the idea of a "nanny state"?

If you mean a government that cares and does what's good for it's people and "spanks" them when they do something that harm them and the rest of the nation then somewhat.

People constantly troll and flame each other here and frequently go unpunished.
And I am also stating that electronis aggression aka cyber bullying has hit an extreme of all sorts.

The myspace incident falls under the spreading of rumors and mean, nasty comments. And many of the kinds of cyber bullying mentioned occasionally happen here, all I'm suggesting is that we ovoid letting NSG become a troll infested hell hole and do something to deter those kinds of unacceptable behaviors here.

This may be the "latest threat" to kids, but it isn't a significant problem on NSG. Most unacceptable behaviors of the type mentioned in that article either aren't possible in these forums or are against forum rules.

If you feel that people are flaming and trolling each other around here, REPORT IT! Even if the Mods don't take action, it puts the issue on their radar.

Bullying?

Really?

So, now that all of us have access to the internet, we all have to remain perpetually in Middle School?

This forum is tame compared to every other one I've been on. Frankly, it's tame compared to my real-life discussions. If there's too much bullying for you here, I'd consider a nice comfortable hermitage.

Old news is old, and irrelevant warnings have no relevance to NSG. There is bullying on the interwebs because there are people on the interwebs. There is VERY little if any bullying on NSG, because we're basically made of win. Win and politics.

...politics.
Which is of course simply professional bullying for adults. :eek:

*steals Ifreanns clothing and shoves him into a the girls toilets*

Which is of course simply professional bullying for adults. :eek:

Politics is when you try to bully a whole country, instead of just the schoolyard :p

*steals Ifreanns clothing and shoves him into a the girls toilets*

This blatant discrimination will not go unchallenged. I want that too!

*steals Ifreanns clothing and shoves him into a the girls toilets*

*approves greatly of this*

MySpace, what a joke. They don't know anything about the art of flaming or cyber bullying. It's all crappy one liners. Now LiveJournal, when I used it, it was a great way of getting out what you really thought of someone...

But seriously, if there is a problem with it on NSG --> REPORT IT TO MODERATION! It's really kind of a no brainer, unless you can't think beyond the need to snivel on NSG about how the mods ignore you.

This blatant discrimination will not go unchallenged. I want that too!

*approves greatly of this*

I was helping him! You try to help someone and all you get is abuse.

*Hunts the BunnySaurus*

Cyberbullies are stupid for using the net as a format to boost their own deflated egoes...

Those who "suffer" from being cyberbullied are stupid for thinking that cyberbullies have ANY real power over them, and in fact are guilty of EMPOWERING their own bullies.

Look, on the net, we have power over our communications, people... Bullies have no power except THAT which YOU give them... Someone wants to pick on you, you have power to filter their email out, power to make posts go invisible, and a slew of other useful tools which do not exist in real life TRUE bullying cases... The Mods have enough to do... Why does one need them to act in situations where YOU can take control of the problem yourself.

Aww, come on. Cyber bullying? People are dicks to eachother no matter what. Teenagers are gossipy, nasty morons and cyber bullying is no worse than what is going on in locker rooms and halway cliques across the world. Kids are just being overly sensitive over a stupid issue.

Aww, come on. Cyber bullying? People are dicks to eachother no matter what. Teenagers are gossipy, nasty morons and cyber bullying is no worse than what is going on in locker rooms and halway cliques across the world. Kids are just being overly sensitive over a stupid issue.

As a side note, this kind of attitude is, to an extent, the reason why bullying has become so prevalent. Telling someone to just toughen up and top being so sensitive implies that it's their fault, and that the person bullying them has every right to do so.

As a side note, this kind of attitude is, to an extent, the reason why bullying has become so prevalent. Telling someone to just toughen up and top being so sensitive implies that it's their fault, and that the person bullying them has every right to do so.

It is their falt. Bullies prey on the weak. It takes very little to stop a bullying situation. I think it is more of a societal problem, the spinless, 'im a victim, help me and love me' attitude instilled upon kids. But I digress...

It is their falt. Bullies prey on the weak. It takes very little to stop a bullying situation. I think it is more of a societal problem, the spinless, 'im a victim, help me and love me' attitude instilled upon kids. But I digress...

And if someone is weak it is their fault that they are, and they are 100% within their power to become strong at a moment's notice, and they don't only because people have the audacity to try to help them.

Bullying is the normal functioning of a free market in illegitimate power.

Teachers and administrators should bear in mind that any attempt at regulation of this market will only make it less optimal.

We must protect the right of the bigger kid to hold the smaller kid upside down and shake them until all the money falls out.

Anything else would be unjustifiable interference in a market these enterprising kids have built from nothing!

And if someone is weak it is their fault that they are, and they are 100% within their power to become strong at a moment's notice, and they don't only because people have the audacity to try to help them.

Hooray! Agreement! Sexy Dance Party!!!

Hooray! Agreement! Sexy Dance Party!!!

I was being sarcastic.

Looks like all of NSG's resident bullies are coming out to play. :rolleyes:

Cyber bullying is getting bad to an extreme. I'm sure the myspace incident is more than enough viable proof but for those who require more officialism. There was an actual study. I think to do our part the MODs should toughen up on cyber bullying.

http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2007/11/27/more-teens-victimized-by-cyber-bullies/
Hmm? What myspace incident?

Hmm? What myspace incident?

He's referring to the Megan Meir incident. The girl hung herself over a series of nasty messages, including one from a boy that didn't even exist, that was a complete fabrication of a neighbourhood woman, with whom she and the daughter of had been friends until a falling out...

I guess the net is just too mean for some people. Perhaps txt messages are a bit confronting to them too.

Well, there's always Oprah. And medication.

*thumps tail*

As a side note, this kind of attitude is, to an extent, the reason why bullying has become so prevalent. Telling someone to just toughen up and top being so sensitive implies that it's their fault, and that the person bullying them has every right to do so.

Meh i am in the toughen up school myself. If the earth spinning makes you dizzy, you can do one of two things. Spend your entire life uselessly researching rockets that will make the earth stop spinning or you can just suck it up and adjust and move on. Any time you get large numbers of human beings together there will be conflicts on many levels. You can change this as much as you can change the earth spinning. So you can charge windmills or adapt and move on.

People constantly troll and flame each other here and frequently go unpunished.
And I am also stating that electronis aggression aka cyber bullying has hit an extreme of all sorts.



The myspace incident falls under the spreading of rumors and mean, nasty comments. And many of the kinds of cyber bullying mentioned occasionally happen here, all I'm suggesting is that we ovoid letting NSG become a troll infested hell hole and do something to deter those kinds of unacceptable behaviors here.

NSG's hardly in a state of anarchy mate. It's far more touchy, thanks to the likes of you, than most forums.


You cannot force the world to conform to the "fluffy bunny" utopia you conceive, and you cannot stop people occassionally making a personal slur. Quite why people are weak enough to allow a personal attack in a forum to actually concern them is another matter entirely. In short, I would advise you grow up and join the real world.

Meh i am in the toughen up school myself. If the earth spinning makes you dizzy, you can do one of two things. Spend your entire life uselessly researching rockets that will make the earth stop spinning or you can just suck it up and adjust and move on.
I guess victims of bullying just have to find their inner-'change who you are' button and give it a good push. What could be easier? And incidentally, why do the victims have to change? If changing is so simple, then why can't the bullies change?
Any time you get large numbers of human beings together there will be conflicts on many levels. You can change this as much as you can change the earth spinning. So you can charge windmills or adapt and move on.

Even if we can't stop human conflict, that's no reason not to try. If everyone shared your defeatist attitude, humanity would have achieved nothing.

I guess victims of bullying just have to find their inner-'change who you are' button and give it a good push. What could be easier? And incidentally, why do the victims have to change? If changing is so simple, then why can't the bullies change?

Im saying its virtually impossible to change the status quo. If the Earth didnt spin at all id suggest it would be equal folly to spend your life making a rocket to start it spinning.

Even if we can't stop human conflict, that's no reason not to try. If everyone shared your defeatist attitude, humanity would have achieved nothing.

I suggest the exact opposite, humanitys ability to adapt and move on is how we have achieved. Not spending our time tilting at windmills.

Im saying its virtually impossible to change the status quo. If the Earth didnt spin at all id suggest it would be equal folly to spend your life making a rocket to start it spinning.
Excpet a bully is just a single person. Just like their victim. Why is it impossible for the bully to change, but not for the victim?

Oh, and humanity has been changing the status quo for millenia.

I suggest the exact opposite, humanitys ability to adapt and move on is how we have achieved. Not spending our time tilting at windmills.

Except the windmill is hitting you in the face. I guess you'll just have to give up anny attempts to stop it and learn to deal with it. Maybe try to adapt your face so getting hit with a windmill blade hurts less.

Ok? Isn't that what the delete key is for?

I am just not seeing how the so called bullies work over text messaging?

What am I missing?

Forgive me sir, but isn't that kind of like saying: "A threatening letter? Isn't that what the trash bin is for?"

Doesn't really matter if it's on paper or on an LED screen, harassment is harassment.

Though I don't think I've ever been a victim of "cyber-bullying", it's not unreasonable to think that as technology advances, so will the technologic proficiency of those little shits who have nothing better in their lives than to torment others.

But back to your comment. What would you do? Would you delete the messages of these back asswards little pricks day after day? Or would you do something about it? Speak to an adult? Confront the bastahds?

Except the windmill is hitting you in the face. I guess you'll just have to give up anny attempts to stop it and learn to deal with it. Maybe try to adapt your face so getting hit with a windmill blade hurts less.

When the caveman was standing in a field getting rained on, did he stand there exposed trying to invent a weather machine? Or did he go find a cave or learn to build a roof? If your getting bullied, learn to build a roof.

When the caveman was standing in a field getting rained on, did he stand there exposed trying to invent a weather machine? Or did he go find a cave or learn to build a roof? If your getting bullied, learn to build a roof.

Which is changing the staus quo, something which you claimed is impossible. How inconsistent.

I have zero sympathy for anyone who allows themelves to be "cyberbullied".
If those nasty wasty meanie-heads are not being nice to you, TURN OFF THE FEKKING MACHINE. FIND SOMETHING ELSE TO DO...QUIT BEING A BITCH.
That sort of behaviour is already against forum rules, and anything over those measures is ridiculous.

No one has the right to not get thier feelings hurt.
In a perfect world, no one would ever get thier feelings hurt, and we would all eat cupcakes and have unicorns fly over our heads and crap rainbows into our brains.

Life isnt like that, and that kind of mollycoddling just creates a society that cant take care of itself.

I'd also like to address those who may think "be a man" or "grow a thicker skin" or whatever.

In the second grade I might as well have had a target plastered on me. I was crying a lot, mostly because my parents were going through a divorce at the time, and the boys in my class (being the testosterone-laden meatsacks they were...lol!) took offense to this. Their taunts didn't make the situation any better. My grades suffered, I lost a lot of friends, and the 2nd grade was one of the worst years of my life.

What's my point? First of all this is not an attempt at sympathy, so PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE do not think of it that way. Have I gotten over it? Well...yeah (screams something in Klingon).

I guess I'm trying to say that not everyone can just grow a thicker skin. In many cases those who are victimized are bullied because they are somehow different than others (I dared show emotion as a boy...stupid masculine ideology!), and may in fact already have something that is causing them distress. As such bullying is only just adding on to the problems they may already have.

No one asks to be bullied just because of how they act or who they are. No one deserves to be harassed*. I still think that if there's going to be one place other than home where you can feel safe, it should be your school.

...

And goddammit I feel like a half-assed Mister Rogers! If I ever get that long winded again...I dunno...let me know?

You cannot force the world to conform to the "fluffy bunny" utopia you conceive, and you cannot stop people occassionally making a personal slur. Quite why people are weak enough to allow a personal attack in a forum to actually concern them is another matter entirely. In short, I would advise you grow up and join the real world.I think I agree with you on forums, and I'm opposed to the "net nanny" style of moderating that many forums use - which is why I spend quite a bit of time in places where bad, dishonest debating is likely to get you called some very nasty things (though fortunately homophobic and racist insults are not allowed, and calling people "fat" is looked down on).

However, some of the cyberbullying has not been as occasional or as inconsequential as you think. In the case of a lot of teenagers, the people they're dealing with on Myspace or Facebook are not just internet strangers - they're people they know in real life, from school and sports and so on. So it's a lot like real life bullying, with the difference that the internet makes it much easier to make one's voice heard. And in some cases, the people who do these things were ostensibly the victim's friend. So basically, it's like someone's best friend going on the school PA system and saying, "Sally is a fat slut who wets the bed."

I don't think I have to explain that this is pretty fucking humiliating, and that no educator would allow it in their school. However, internet bullying is much harder to stop than restricting access to the school PA system. I don't know entirely what you do about internet bullying, besides prosecuting the extreme psycho-bitch ones like Lori Drew. But I expect that it frequently contributes to teenage depression, although I don't know if any studies have been done on the link. And that makes it a problem.

I'd also like to address those who may think "be a man" or "grow a thicker skin" or whatever.

In the second grade I might as well have had a target plastered on me. I was crying a lot, mostly because my parents were going through a divorce at the time, and the boys in my class (being the testosterone-laden meatsacks they were...lol!) took offense to this. Their taunts didn't make the situation any better. My grades suffered, I lost a lot of friends, and the 2nd grade was one of the worst years of my life.

What's my point? First of all this is not an attempt at sympathy, so PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE do not think of it that way. Have I gotten over it? Well...yeah (screams something in Klingon).

I guess I'm trying to say that not everyone can just grow a thicker skin. In many cases those who are victimized are bullied because they are somehow different than others (I dared show emotion as a boy...stupid masculine ideology!), and may in fact already have something that is causing them distress. As such bullying is only just adding on to the problems they may already have.

No one asks to be bullied just because of how they act or who they are. No one deserves to be harassed. I still think that if there's going to be one place other than home where you can feel safe, it should be your school.

...

And goddammit I feel like a half-assed Mister Rogers! If I ever get that long winded again...I dunno...let me know?

Obviously you're just insane, because everyone knows that you can just decide to not be beullied any more. You know. With magic or something.

Which is changing the staus quo, something which you claimed is impossible. How inconsistent.

Building a weather machine would be changing the status quo, building a roof is just protecting yourself from the part you don't like. To carry it over into internet terms, if you don't like cyber-bullying, you can create and police your own "shelter" forum where you ban every offensive poster you feel is bullying. Trying to stop bullying online entirely is practically impossible, not to mention completely unnecessary in an environment that you participate in entirely voluntarily.

Obviously you're just insane, because everyone knows that you can just decide to not be beullied any more. You know. With magic or something.

Everyone should have a shield against harassment, but no one can deflect parody! Otherwise how would Weird Al and Mel Brooks make their money?

[/lame-ass attempt at a joke]

Building a weather machine would be changing the status quo, building a roof is just protecting yourself from the part you don't like. To carry it over into internet terms, if you don't like cyber-bullying, you can create and police your own "shelter" forum where you ban every offensive poster you feel is bullying. Trying to stop bullying online entirely is practically impossible, not to mention completely unnecessary in an environment that you participate in entirely voluntarily.

Except that, as The Pastriarchy pointed out, cyber-bullying is often accompanied with other forms of 'IRL' bullying.

Obviously you're just insane, because everyone knows that you can just decide to not be beullied any more. You know. With magic or something.

Online bullying?

Yes, its the magic of just walking away from the computer.

Its a rare form of sorcery rarely practiced on these forums.

Online bullying?

Yes, its the magic of just walking away from the computer.

Its a rare form of sorcery rarely practiced on these forums.

I can kinda-sorta-maybe agree with you on that point. On online forums, such as these, where you are communicating with relative strangers, if there is some fuckwit who's calling you names, it really is for the best just to put him on the ignore list. If he persists, he's breaking the rules, and then its happy moddy tiem. Seriously, if he's going out of his way to bug you...well, let's just say YOU are not the one with the problem.

But in real life, where those online are those you know (but would rather not know), who can easily fill up your inbox with varying levels of shit, and then continue in real life...I can kind of see where many are coming from.

Harassment is harassment.

[/broken record]

Online bullying?

Yes, its the magic of just walking away from the computer.

Its a rare form of sorcery rarely practiced on these forums.

Well yes, but online bullying != all bullying.

I can kinda-sorta-maybe agree with you on that point. On online forums, such as these, where you are communicating with relative strangers, if there is some fuckwit who's calling you names, it really is for the best just to put him on the ignore list. If he persists, he's breaking the rules, and then its happy moddy tiem. Seriously, if he's going out of his way to bug you...well, let's just say YOU are not the one with the problem.

But in real life, where those online are those you know (but would rather not know), who can easily fill up your inbox with varying levels of shit, and then continue in real life...I can kind of see where many are coming from.

Harassment is harassment.

[/broken record]

Harrassment is also illegal, in many of its forms.
If that sort of thing happens, there are many things that a peson can do to get it stopped.
In an onlinhe situation, theres no exscuse for being bullied, becuase the "victim" always has the option of simply walking away.

On this forum, we already have a set of rules in place to prevent such behaviour.
To further limit what people say to one another on this forum, is quite un-needed.

Except that, as The Pastriarchy pointed out, cyber-bullying is often accompanied with other forms of 'IRL' bullying.

There are also other forms of IRL laws that cover constant harassment and bullying. In real life, there are even other people (gasp!), like family and friends, that can help out someone who is being bullied. Of course someone can't just walk away in real life, but they have many more options to fight a bully than they do online.

In a perfect world, no one would ever get thier feelings hurt, and we would all eat cupcakes and have unicorns fly over our heads and crap rainbows into our brains.

Aww, that's so beautiful!
I have a statuette of a dolphin which changes colour with your mood. I want you to have it!

*presents plastic dolphin*

It's the colour of unicorn crap just now. Because you have a beautiful mind.

========

Has anyone pointed out that online communications (txts, myspace et al) can be audited by police if the bullying is being investigated at a criminal level?
That's a mitigating factor in the online variety of bullying. Short of bugging the locker-room, such evidence usually isn't available.

I remember when bullying as a concept was introduced. Alot of people thought it was BS, saying the victims should grow a thicker skin, work out more, or generally just stop whining. Not for the extreme cases of course.

I guess bullying could be BS even though it's generally not thought of as so. Cyber-bullying is a different thing, but might repeat the same pattern. People thinking it's not worth mentioning, then realising to maximise overall personal freedoms you need to limit some others, such as rules on forums to stop people having to leave because they get hurt.

You have the choice to walk away from the computer for cyber-bullying.
You have alot of choices for regular bullying as well, some just as easy and painful as not going to your favourite forum.

I find it difficult to see where the line is. I don't think NSG has (much) cyber bullying going on. Maybe tribal instinct, which can hurt, and a fair bit of flaming, but nothing very extreme.

Aww, that's so beautiful!
I have a statuette of a dolphin which changes colour with your mood. I want you to have it!

*presents plastic dolphin*

It's the colour of unicorn crap just now. Because you have a beautiful mind.

Just so's ya know...Ive always thought of unicorn crap as plaid.

and why is this damned dolphin always black?!

Just so's ya know...Ive always thought of unicorn crap as plaid.

I'd be one of the few people on earth who would agree with that. I occasionally get visual aberrations before a migraine attack, they're like floating patches of plaid in my field of vision. They also have a sense of colour which is no real colour.

Anyway, I largely agree with you. Cyber bullying should be taken seriously in so far as a person has a reasonable expectation of real-world harm. But the option of ignoring or avoiding the content should be the first step, rather like how one deals with email spam.

Harrassment is also illegal, in many of its forms.
If that sort of thing happens, there are many things that a peson can do to get it stopped.
In an onlinhe situation, theres no exscuse for being bullied, becuase the "victim" always has the option of simply walking away.

On this forum, we already have a set of rules in place to prevent such behaviour.
To further limit what people say to one another on this forum, is quite un-needed.

I concur.

Okay, so long as you understand that "walking away" is not always an option in real life, then we are in agreement.

I concur.

Okay, so long as you understand that "walking away" is not always an option in real life, then we are in agreement.

On this I concur, you can be blocked from walking away in real life; physical force can be applied; you can be in a place you are unable to leave for other situations; but online bullying is absurd when there is so much control the "victim" has over what the bully is capable of doing; so many ways to block, leave, etc...

I concur.

Okay, so long as you understand that "walking away" is not always an option in real life, then we are in agreement.

I agree, it is not always an option in real life.

As for that, there are several options to deal with bullies and only the last of wich, require anything beyond involving the proper authorities, ie; parents, school administrators, or police.

Getting bullied is all about how much shit from another person youre willing to take before standing up for yourself. Everyone gets bullied by another person at some point in thier lives. How we deal with it, and how long we suffer for anothers amusement, depends upon ourselves. Personally, Ive found that few bullies take thier bullying careers seriously enough to pursue matters, after a severe surprise retaliation.
Like say, a golf club on the knee.
A "Pearl Harbor", or a "Grassy Knoll", if you will...

In that case, it was matter of deciding to not allow ones' self to be bullied anymore.
There are better ways of handling matters than that example, however.

When a person allows themselves to be continually bullied, when doing nothing to stop that behaviour, I tend to have little sympathy.

Cyber bullying is getting bad to an extreme. I'm sure the myspace incident is more than enough viable proof but for those who require more officialism. There was an actual study. I think to do our part the MODs should toughen up on cyber bullying.

http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2007/11/27/more-teens-victimized-by-cyber-bullies/

South Lizasauria, I appreciate your efforts, but I think they are unnecessary. If someone is sending you hate telegrams put them on your ignore list. If they do it here, the mods will deal with it if you really can't take it.

But really: "sticks and stones...."

South Lizasauria, I appreciate your efforts, but I think they are unnecessary. If someone is sending you hate telegrams put them on your ignore list. If they do it here, the mods will deal with it if you really can't take it.

But really: "sticks and stones...."

I'm on board with Parkus on this one. At least here on nationstates, substantial recourse already exists.

i think some kids just need to grow thicker skin. some things that are considered "bullying" today are nothing

I agree, it is not always an option in real life.

As for that, there are several options to deal with bullies and only the last of wich, require anything beyond involving the proper authorities, ie; parents, school administrators, or police.

Getting bullied is all about how much shit from another person youre willing to take before standing up for yourself. Everyone gets bullied by another person at some point in thier lives. How we deal with it, and how long we suffer for anothers amusement, depends upon ourselves. Personally, Ive found that few bullies take thier bullying careers seriously enough to pursue matters, after a severe surprise retaliation.
Like say, a golf club on the knee.
A "Pearl Harbor", or a "Grassy Knoll", if you will...

In that case, it was matter of deciding to not allow ones' self to be bullied anymore.
There are better ways of handling matters than that example, however.

When a person allows themselves to be continually bullied, when doing nothing to stop that behaviour, I tend to have little sympathy.

Some particularly strong individuals can just ignore it and walk it off, I'm sure, but I suspect that's just a good recipe for stomach ulcers and repressed memories.

I'd never recommend going Midway on their ass, because in all likelihood that will only make the situation worse.

By the same token, it is almost impossible to negotiate with a bully. Using "words" rarely works with those half-brained turds anyway.

To a kid, the best advice I would give is "seek an adult". The "authorities" are there for a reason. One could argue that this is keeping a kid from learning how to resolve issues on his/her own. But seriously...he's a kid. Kid's really shouldn't be put in "damned if you do, damned if you don't" situations.

As a side note, this kind of attitude is, to an extent, the reason why bullying has become so prevalent. Telling someone to just toughen up and top being so sensitive implies that it's their fault, and that the person bullying them has every right to do so.
It's not necessarily one extreme or the other.

To a certain extent, we all have to be prepared to deal with some routine jackassery from those around us. Such is life. This doesn't mean that we excuse the bad behavior of others, or that we blame ourselves for their behavior, it just means that we acknowledge the state of the world.

It's like how every time I get behind the wheel of a car I know there's a chance that some yahoo is going to cut me off at the light, then flip me the bird in his mirror. The fact that I'm prepared for this chance doesn't mean I somehow blame myself for the bad behavior of other drivers. I drive around with the assumption that every other driver is a dangerous moron until/unless proven otherwise, because that makes me a safer driver. Just like I head into internet forums with the assumption that everybody is a potential forum troll, because preparing for the worst and hoping for the best is what seems to work best for me.

In an onlinhe situation, theres no exscuse for being bullied, becuase the "victim" always has the option of simply walking away.
Precisely.

And you don't even have to leave the forum to "walk away." You can simply put the bully on your ignore list.