Cyber bullying

[Black_Apalachi]

I didn't really realise cyber-bullying was an actual big issue. My only experiences of it (if any) would be users on the forum who are always known for spamming or just being unconstructive with everything they post and therefore get laughed at and flamed about everything they do on the forum.

However I haven't seen this very often; I can only recall two users (one I don't remember the name of) from quite a few years ago who I could probably label as a "victim" of this. One of them still uses the forum but in a much more constructive manor and seems to fit in very well now.

My perception of face-to-face bullying doesn't really reflect this though. I see it more as someone being hassled in some way, no matter how "minor", on a regular basis - also regardless of how they take it.

I could probably go as far as to say I was bullied in a non-stereotypical kind of way where I'd be the one who people kind of "blamed" all the time. I can't explain it because it was never serious and people were always joking. But I think it came about purely because I didn't care and I'm able to laugh things off. If I was more emotional and took things to heart it probably would have effected me - but then again it wouldn't have happened. So perhaps that's not even bullying after all .

Anyway...

Anybody who cyberbullying has broke the law. It is now illegal to cyberbully and if you are getting cyberbullied then you give them chatlogs and who it is and they will come to you and go to them. [...]

I don't understand how that can be effective for a few reasons. Firstly kids could reporting things left right and centre but as I mentioned above, from what I've seen e-bullying comes about over time by the "victim's" constant spamming etc. and when they get -rep they're just like 'hahaha do you think I care?' etc. So basically anything reported by a user like this would be completely taken out of context with no proof of what the original context was. The other major flaw is that chat logs can just be created?

Some people genuinely deserve it though, it's harsh but it's the truth. [...]

I agree with that whole post but just keeping the quote short. That piece of the quote is exactly what I'm saying. Also yes, you're not forced to stay on the internet. Well, you don't have to even go off the internet - if you're being bullied on MSN, just block them as Jake says or if it's on any website, you've got thousands of others to use which are essentially the same thing.

The point about them knowing the bully in real life makes sense because why on Earth would you stalk someone all over the internet just to "bully" them? I can imagine if they knew them in real life they'd have some idea of what sites they go on which would make the whole stalking thing a bit easier. Plus, I think being able to see the effects it has on them in real life is part of the bully's results.

Anyway, in those kind of cases, I imagine the main bullying happens in school and it's just when they've gone home they carry on via the internet. In this context I think face-to-face bullying vs cyber-bullying is irrelevant. It's just bullying by whatever means is available at the time and therefore should be treated the same.

Most plastics tend to suggest they support Manchester United, even though they have never seen them play nor could name more than 1 player.

Like Ussain Bolt?

[Catzsy]

tbh most of the people I know who seriously bully others do it just for fun and honestly aren't trying to look cool - it's generally the ones you mention before that (who join in afterwards and just follow it along) that are trying too hard. Exceptions occur in both cases of course as with anything



In what way? Bullies by nature pick on the weak, so the victims can't be that much better. What you seem to be describing is the old "they bully you because they're jealous!" argument that parents and teachers so love. I would honestly say that it's a small minority of "bullies" who do it out of some type of jealousy or insecurity



I do believe in survival of the fittest to an extent because I wholeheartedly disagree with the theory that everyone is equal in any way. My truthful opinion is generally given and I don't have much problem with it because the company I keep can either take it (which I view as a strength anyway as you shouldn't ask if you're not prepared to take an answer) or wouldn't be subject to aesthetic criticism. If they want an opinion on something they've worked on, of course I'll be truthful because either they're not a friend so I don't care or they are a friend and I don't want them to do things badly. That ties in with your enlightenment question to which I'd say yes, critique is certainly needed in order to grow, and sometimes it can't be dealt with nicely

There is great incite in this post and I agree with 99% of it. Having watched the Xfactor last night you can see that some do grow up with unrealistic expectations & over inflated opinions of what their talents are which they seem to have no real perception of themselves because their friends and family have not sat down with them and told them the reality of it. I don't agree though that somebody should make assumptions with people that they don't actually know in irl and also make comments that are much beyond the acceptable and are just personal insults really. Constructive criticism is essential to allow people to mature but too much negative criticism is going to take all their self -esteem and this could be damaging. I feel that parents should speak to their children about these issues 'in case' it happens. Quite often the bullied becomes the bully because of negative experiences that they have had.

[ifuseekamy]

There is great incite in this post and I agree with 99% of it. Having watched the Xfactor last night you can see that some do grow up with unrealistic expectations & over inflated opinions of what their talents are which they seem to have no real perception of themselves because their friends and family have not sat down with them and told them the reality of it. I don't agree though that somebody should make assumptions with people that they don't actually know in irl and also make comments that are much beyond the acceptable and are just personal insults really. Constructive criticism is essential to allow people to mature but too much negative criticism is going to take all their self -esteem and this could be damaging. I feel that parents should speak to their children about these issues 'in case' it happens. Quite often the bullied becomes the bully because of negative experiences that they have had.

I also agree. It's kind of sad but a lot of times "bullying" is the only way that these people realise they aren't as good as they think they are. Whether they think they're sexy as hell or the greatest singer alive. I see so many youtube videos of people singing and genuinely thinking they're great, if you even try to give them constructive criticism they'll shrug you off. I find it's because they often have friends who big them up.

[N!ck]

People who are weak minded, stupid and gullible enough to be bullied over the internet probably shouldn't be using the internet for anything other than looking at static content.

[Feep]

I 'cyber bully' people because it's funny and they find it funny.

[Suspective]

If you watch that video though as posted earlier you might not find it funny, cyber bullying isn't just some person bullying you online. It can be people you know, sending you abuse over and over again.

It can ruin someones life, people have turned suicidal, in some cases ended their lives. It isn't really funny, if you think about it.

I'd hate to be bullied countless times, and humiliated in front of people you trust.

[Niall!]

There is great incite in this post and I agree with 99% of it. Having watched the Xfactor last night you can see that some do grow up with unrealistic expectations & over inflated opinions of what their talents are which they seem to have no real perception of themselves because their friends and family have not sat down with them and told them the reality of it. I don't agree though that somebody should make assumptions with people that they don't actually know in irl and also make comments that are much beyond the acceptable and are just personal insults really. Constructive criticism is essential to allow people to mature but too much negative criticism is going to take all their self -esteem and this could be damaging. I feel that parents should speak to their children about these issues 'in case' it happens. Quite often the bullied becomes the bully because of negative experiences that they have had.

Well, you argue about to much negative criticism can destroy self esteem, but sometimes, very rarely, it's needed. A guy I knew thought he could be a model, and to be quite frank, he was horrible. We all told him this, straight to his face. He bounced back saying we were all liars and that nothing could stop him becoming a model. He applied for every modelling agency he knew of, and they all rejected him. He was diagnosed with depression after that and I think it ruined his life.
Keeping at him would have stopped this stupid mistake and maybe have made him care about his schoolwork instead of chasing an unrealistic dream.

[Catzsy]

Well, you argue about to much negative criticism can destroy self esteem, but sometimes, very rarely, it's needed. A guy I knew thought he could be a model, and to be quite frank, he was horrible. We all told him this, straight to his face. He bounced back saying we were all liars and that nothing could stop him becoming a model. He applied for every modelling agency he knew of, and they all rejected him. He was diagnosed with depression after that and I think it ruined his life.
Keeping at him would have stopped this stupid mistake and maybe have made him care about his schoolwork instead of chasing an unrealistic dream.

Its sounds to me as if you were trying to do the best you could there. It's a shame he just didn't heed the advice.

[Niall!]

Its sounds to me as if you were trying to do the best you could there. It's a shame he just didn't heed the advice.

Well I wasn't really trying to help him, at the time it was more to make fun of him. But looking back on it, I suppose you could say that.

[9y]

There isnt enough made about this, It happens every day, people think its too much of a small thing to be bothered about, "its just online, what are they gonna do, Throw a url at you?" But its a really big issue that needs to be solved.