Cyberbullying

[Amnesiac]

If you didn't know already (you probably don't), this month's topic for public forum debate (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public_forum_debate) is cyberbullying. I had to spend countless hours debating this mundane topic at a debate tournament on Friday and Saturday so, needless to say, I've got some things to say about it.

I don't think cyberbullying exists. I don't think it's possible to be bullied over the Internet. It's a stupid concept, really, because it's so easy to avoid. The only people who complain about cyberbullying — and the few who commit suicide over it — are either weak or mentally compromised to the point where they would kill themselves if told to. It's easy enough to block someone or simply not use the Internet at all — using the Internet is an option; I don't care how convenient it is for you, there's always an alternative form of whatever you're Googling. Doing research? There's always books. Need entertainment? TV. It's a choice to use the Internet, and if you're not mentally capable of handling someone giving their honest opinion about you, you shouldn't be on it.

Also, if you're having personal information posted about yourself, that goes beyond "cyberbullying" into things that are already illegal (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyber_stalking#United_States) (privacy violations, harassment, ect.).

tl;dr cyberbullying is a conspiracy created by problematic people to get revenge on those who gossip about them on Facebook. Professional debate is also an overrated system that strangles and mutilates any fun to be had in having a good argument with another person.

[deadpie]

Cyberbullying isn't a big deal to me. In real life, you don't always have that red X to click on. When someone is bothering you on the computer you can click it. Why does it even bother you that someone you don't even know if talking shit about you? I mean, are you really that sensitive? I really think that calling it cyberbullying just makes us sound more like pussies. There's kids getting punched in the face for not doing the dishes on a daily basis. And XxTrolboi101xX called you a fag so that makes you really depressed? Seriously, grow some fucking balls. Things could be allot worse.

[Severus Snape]

When a teen can be driven to suicide over online bullying (it happened just a few months ago) it proves cyberbullying does exist and is becoming an ever more prominent problem. There's no reason bullying can't occur in a written form any more than a verbal or physical one. As more and more kids spend more time online cyberbullying may even become the most prominent method.

[Amnesiac]

When a teen can be driven to suicide over online bullying (it happened just a few months ago) it proves cyberbullying does exist and is becoming an ever more prominent problem. There's no reason bullying can't occur in a written form any more than a verbal or physical one. As more and more kids spend more time online cyberbullying may even become the most prominent method.

Wouldn't you agree that people committing suicide over words is a sign of underlying mental issues? In the cases we've seen before, such as with Megan Meier, they all had previous issues that meant they shouldn't have been on social networks or the Internet at all in the first place.

The main difference between cyberbullying and physical bullying is that one can escape cyberbullying. When you're being bullied in the real world, there are plenty of situations where you can't escape — but one can always turn off the computer.

[The Joker]

Wouldn't you agree that people committing suicide over words is a sign of underlying mental issues? In the cases we've seen before, such as with Megan Meier, they all had previous issues that meant they shouldn't have been on social networks or the Internet at all in the first place.

I agree with your other points, but this paragraph. In a way, VT has quite a few qualities similar to social networking, where a lot of people have mental illness. They shouldn't be on the internet because they have mental illness? Get real.

[Amnesiac]

I agree with your other points, but this paragraph. In a way, VT has quite a few qualities similar to social networking, where a lot of people have mental illness. They shouldn't be on the internet because they have mental illness? Get real.

I consider VT an exception, since we're a help site. Besides, not all mental illnesses cause people to experience severe depression, and for those that do, I'd recommended people with them either be extremely careful on sites like Facebook and Myspace, or not use them at all.

I should've said they shouldn't be/should be extremely careful on parts of the Internet where they're vulnerable to verbal attacks.

[The Joker]

I should've said they shouldn't be/should be extremely careful on parts of the Internet where they're vulnerable to verbal attacks.

People are still vulnerable on VT.

[Amnesiac]

People are still vulnerable on VT.

Yes, but we have active moderators who can deal with that. It's not like that on most of the Internet, where there are too many people and virtually no moderators at all.

Besides, VT is a small community — we all know each other pretty well, if we knew one of our members had problems I'm sure we wouldn't attack them.

[Jess]

I get what you mean, you can escape cyberbullying easily but some people just don't understand that they can just click on the red x etc...

[Severus Snape]

Wouldn't you agree that people committing suicide over words is a sign of underlying mental issues?
Not necessarily. Most of the affects bullying ever had on me were seemingly ephemeral, but when enough of it builds over time it erodes self esteem to the point of being vulnerable. The particular case I was referring to involves a remotely accessed webcam and the filming of gay sex which was then posted online. The party who was filmed in his room, a college freshman, jumped off a building the same day.

In the cases we've seen before, such as with Megan Meier, they all had previous issues that meant they shouldn't have been on social networks or the Internet at all in the first place.

Of course, but that doesn't mean cyberbullying doesn't exist. Define what is means to be bullied and apply it to the interwebs.

The main difference between cyberbullying and physical bullying is that one can escape cyberbullying. When you're being bullied in the real world, there are plenty of situations where you can't escape — but one can always turn off the computer.
You can escape from bullying in real life, its just more inconvenient. I had kids leave my middle school for that very reason. You can always turn off the computer, not show up for school, never go out for the clubs you want, but that severely limits what one can do. I could stay locked in my house all day and never be the victim of bullying.

[Amnesiac]

Not necessarily. Most of the affects bullying ever had on me were seemingly ephemeral, but when enough of it builds over time it erodes self esteem to the point of being vulnerable. The particular case I was referring to involves a remotely accessed webcam and the filming of gay sex which was then posted online. The party who was filmed in his room, a college freshman, jumped off a building the same day.

That goes beyond "cyberbullying" and into cyber-harassment and stalking; massive invasions of privacy. Those things are illegal and have repercussions that I fully understand. What I'm talking about when I say "cyberbullying" is the repeated trolling of a person on the Internet.

You can escape from bullying in real life, its just more inconvenient. I had kids leave my middle school for that very reason. You can always turn off the computer, not show up for school, never go out for the clubs you want, but that severely limits what one can do. I could stay locked in my house all day and never be the victim of bullying.

Not necessarily. Students have a legal obligation to attend school. Besides, I'm not talking about escaping bullying over a long period of time, rather at a certain moment where someone's bullying you actively. On the Internet, escaping is as simple as clicking that red X, but in real life a bully or bullies could easily physically injure you and back you into a corner.

[Iceman]

They forced it upon themselves. They looked at it. They created the account. They can suck it up because people will call anyone names

[Fact]

... it's so easy to avoid....

using the Internet is an option...there's always an alternative form of whatever you're Googling. Doing research? There's always books. Need entertainment? TV. It's a choice to use the Internet, and if you're not mentally capable of handling someone giving their honest opinion about you, you shouldn't be on it.



↑ that is basically my view.

Internet is optional, posting personal information to be made fun of is even more option. There are privacy settings, report features, practically everything necessary to get a person to leave you alone, short of the 'victim' removing themselves from the internet.

Some people will say that everyone has the right to express themselves so people shouldn't stop going on the internet just because they feel they will be shunned by others, I say they just block and delete those people. It's not like face to face where you physically can't escape.

Whether I'd go as far as to say that cyberbullying doesn't 'exist' is another matter though, I think just by talking about it, it exists in one way or another, but anyway, I find it's possible to be cyberbulled but it's so easy to prevent.

[Odst]

I agree that cyberbullying is easy to avoid and those that cannot handle the opinions of others. Despite that, look at it from the bully's perspective for a moment. Anybody so cowardly as to pick on somebody over the internet is a lowlife and coward themselves. it shows how insecure they are by first of all bullying and second of all by doing so behind the shield of the internet. I am NOT endorsing bullying, however i am saying if your have the "desire" or "need" to put others down to feel better about yourself, at least do so in person.

[Amnesiac]

I agree that cyberbullying is easy to avoid and those that cannot handle the opinions of others. Despite that, look at it from the bully's perspective for a moment. Anybody so cowardly as to pick on somebody over the internet is a lowlife and coward themselves. it shows how insecure they are by first of all bullying and second of all by doing so behind the shield of the internet. I am NOT endorsing bullying, however i am saying if your have the "desire" or "need" to put others down to feel better about yourself, at least do so in person.

Many bullies also have psychological problems that cause them to behave differently, you can't just categorize all of them as "cowards". Bullying isn't just a black-and-white issue, every scenario is unique.

[Syvelocin]

I agree that to kill yourself over something like that is quite avoidable, but I think it's ignorant to deny that cyberbullying is a real thing. And a lot of the time, they kill themselves not because of some random person telling them to kill themselves, but because of one of their peers.

I won't even set myself up for cyberbullying. I don't even use a formspring and I only accept people on facebook who are my friends or people I know won't be sending me hate mail. I've gotten upset over things that have been said to me, but I've never even thought about doing something as drastic as killing myself even though I'm super-sensitive from having bipolar disorder, prone to getting upset and depressed quite easily, I can still take a few rude remarks. I think that's just a responsibility of using the Internet, you have to be able to take that sort of thing without doing something drastic or overreacting.

[Lasky]

If you didn't know already (you probably don't), this month's topic for public forum debate (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public_forum_debate) is cyberbullying. I had to spend countless hours debating this mundane topic at a debate tournament on Friday and Saturday so, needless to say, I've got some things to say about it.

I don't think cyberbullying exists. I don't think it's possible to be bullied over the Internet. It's a stupid concept, really, because it's so easy to avoid. The only people who complain about cyberbullying — and the few who commit suicide over it — are either weak or mentally compromised to the point where they would kill themselves if told to. It's easy enough to block someone or simply not use the Internet at all — using the Internet is an option; I don't care how convenient it is for you, there's always an alternative form of whatever you're Googling. Doing research? There's always books. Need entertainment? TV. It's a choice to use the Internet, and if you're not mentally capable of handling someone giving their honest opinion about you, you shouldn't be on it.

Also, if you're having personal information posted about yourself, that goes beyond "cyberbullying" into things that are already illegal (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyber_stalking#United_States) (privacy violations, harassment, ect.).

tl;dr cyberbullying is a conspiracy created by problematic people to get revenge on those who gossip about them on Facebook. Professional debate is also an overrated system that strangles and mutilates any fun to be had in having a good argument with another person.


This, exactly.

But there are some exceptions.

The exceptions being people use the internet as a way of bullying people, not necessarily calling them names or stuff over IM, but publicly defacing their name on facebook and myspace. Not to mention people are so stupid they'll believe anything, so any rumors posted becomes common knowledge around high schools and campuses. That IS the only way I can see it existing, whereas name calling over IM is not.

[Severus Snape]

That goes beyond "cyberbullying" and into cyber-harassment and stalking; massive invasions of privacy. Those things are illegal and have repercussions that I fully understand. What I'm talking about when I say "cyberbullying" is the repeated trolling of a person on the Internet.

In that case it is most certainly possible. Just because you don't have to let yourself feel trolled or bullied doesn't mean you aren't being trolled or bullied.



Students have a legal obligation to attend school.
Home schooling.

On the Internet, escaping is as simple as clicking that red X, but in real life a bully or bullies could easily physically injure you and back you into a corner.
Not always, maybe on facebook.

[CypherCore]

If you didn't know already (you probably don't), this month's topic for public forum debate (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public_forum_debate) is cyberbullying. I had to spend countless hours debating this mundane topic at a debate tournament on Friday and Saturday so, needless to say, I've got some things to say about it.

I don't think cyberbullying exists. I don't think it's possible to be bullied over the Internet. It's a stupid concept, really, because it's so easy to avoid. The only people who complain about cyberbullying — and the few who commit suicide over it — are either weak or mentally compromised to the point where they would kill themselves if told to. It's easy enough to block someone or simply not use the Internet at all — using the Internet is an option; I don't care how convenient it is for you, there's always an alternative form of whatever you're Googling. Doing research? There's always books. Need entertainment? TV. It's a choice to use the Internet, and if you're not mentally capable of handling someone giving their honest opinion about you, you shouldn't be on it.

Also, if you're having personal information posted about yourself, that goes beyond "cyberbullying" into things that are already illegal (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyber_stalking#United_States) (privacy violations, harassment, ect.).

tl;dr cyberbullying is a conspiracy created by problematic people to get revenge on those who gossip about them on Facebook. Professional debate is also an overrated system that strangles and mutilates any fun to be had in having a good argument with another person.

Your entire post is just begging to be ridiculed. Cyberbullying exists whether you like it or not. I've had friends who were tormented through the internet by people from our school. What happened to those cyberbullies? They were tracked down and arrested. It's a serious issue when a persons' mental and physical well-being is at stake. Oh and cyberbullying is not a conspiracy. You're in denial. I guarantee that if you were a victim of cyberbullying, you'd reconsider what you wrote here. People who lose their lives by any form of bullying are unfortunate to have had that happen to them. They can't help it if they're different and get picked on. You wouldn't like it if someone abused you either mentally or physically. The internet, in its own right, is the most powerful tool in existence. Anything can happen on the internet. I would know since I've done my share of "stuff" on it. I would urge you to reconsider what you said and reflect logically.

Cypher

[Amnesiac]

Your entire post is just begging to be ridiculed. Cyberbullying exists whether you like it or not. I've had friends who were tormented through the internet by people from our school. What happened to those cyberbullies? They were tracked down and arrested.

Then that sounds like cyber harassment and stalking, which does exist and is a criminal offense. There is a difference between harassment and bullying. Cyberbullying is pretty much the sadistic trolling you'd find at any public school transfered online. However, it can't exist online, because it's escapable and easily dealt with.

It's a serious issue when a persons' mental and physical well-being is at stake. Oh and cyberbullying is not a conspiracy. You're in denial. I guarantee that if you were a victim of cyberbullying, you'd reconsider what you wrote here. People who lose their lives by any form of bullying are unfortunate to have had that happen to them.

A better question is: should they have been on the Internet in the first place? If a person isn't emotionally stable enough to handle a few snide comments, I don't think this is the right environment for them. It's not possible to be a "victim of cyberbullying" when that "victim" has a wide array of privacy tools at their disposal and has the option not to use the Internet at all.

They can't help it if they're different and get picked on. You wouldn't like it if someone abused you either mentally or physically. The internet, in its own right, is the most powerful tool in existence. Anything can happen on the internet. I would know since I've done my share of "stuff" on it. I would urge you to reconsider what you said and reflect logically.

If they know they're going to get "picked on" for being "different", then why choose to be in a place where they're 100% open to that kind of behavior? Also, physical abuse is not possible over the Internet. Social interaction on the Internet is an entirely different medium. There is no physical contact, and people have the ability to control who interacts with them. Saying "anything can happen on the Internet" isn't a necessarily true statement. There are limitations to the Internet's use as a communications medium. It would be more reasonable to say "anything can happen in real life".

[CypherCore]

Well then, I enjoyed that reply. Was a good read. And I'm sorry for the physical abuse part. I didn't mean to be offensive in any way and I'm not exactly thinking straight since I've been awake for well over 18 hours. Thanks for your reply.

Cypher

[Amnesiac]

Well then, I enjoyed that reply. Was a good read. And I'm sorry for the physical abuse part. I didn't mean to be offensive in any way and I'm not exactly thinking straight since I've been awake for well over 18 hours. Thanks for your reply.

Cypher

I'm glad you enjoyed the reply.

You're not being offensive. It's not possible to be offensive here on Ramblings of the Wise.

[Jess]

it might not happen just on the internet right? could be the cell phone (though that of course could be stopped duh :S)...you could get emails...I mean you can block the sender but the sender could just make more accounts.

I KNOW it's easy to prevent it but I'm just pointing this out. uh yeah...:S

[Amnesiac]

it might not happen just on the internet right? could be the cell phone (though that of course could be stopped duh :S)...you could get emails...I mean you can block the sender but the sender could just make more accounts.

I KNOW it's easy to prevent it but I'm just pointing this out. uh yeah...:S

Most cell phone companies offer block services for specific numbers, and not many people use e-mail anymore. It's easy to just block the sender, or make a new e-mail account.

[Suicune]

:hmm: I pretty much share most of the same views with most of you so far.
I don't like how this has gotten so "Serious" that there are being laws set in place, or updating old technology laws. (I really didn't like having to do a paper on this whole Fox News report. >_>)

[Amnesiac]

:hmm: I pretty much share most of the same views with most of you so far.
I don't like how this has gotten so "Serious" that there are being laws set in place, or updating old technology laws. (I really didn't like having to do a paper on this whole Fox News report. >_>)

Yeah. All these laws will do is put restrictions on the Internet and our rights to free expression. Let's say that people start killing themselves over the hateful protests of Westboro Baptist Church — do we make protesting illegal? Of course not, we call the people who committed suicide mentally handicapped. "Cyberbully victims" should be treated the same.

And, as I've said before, most "cyberbullying" victims are actually victims of cyber-harassment/cyber-stalking, which is already illegal.

I recommend anyone in favor of making cyberbullying illegal reads 47 USC s 223. (http://www.cybertelecom.org/cda/47usc223.htm)

[Theatheist of doom]

[QUOTE]
It's a stupid concept, really, because it's so easy to avoid.[QUOTE]
You try telling a depressed angst ridden teenager not to go on the internet. Tell me how that turns out for you. I think the problem is that teenagers haven't fully developed their reasoning skills. And some of the time they have too much pride to admit they shouldn't be on the internet because they tend not to take insults too well. One more thing is that, maybe, this depressed kid's outlet is something to do with the internet, such as gaming or meeting people on forums. Although over-all I agree with you that putting laws on this type of thing is a bad idea.

[Amnesiac]

You try telling a depressed angst ridden teenager not to go on the internet. Tell me how that turns out for you. I think the problem is that teenagers haven't fully developed their reasoning skills. And some of the time they have too much pride to admit they shouldn't be on the internet because they tend not to take insults too well. One more thing is that, maybe, this depressed kid's outlet is something to do with the internet, such as gaming or meeting people on forums. Although over-all I agree with you that putting laws on this type of thing is a bad idea.

I know that it's difficult for teenagers not to use the Internet. This is where proper parenting comes in — if you have a depressed teenager using the Internet, get them off the Internet by any appropriate means and to a counselor or someone who can help.

If they use the Internet as an "outlet", that's fine as long as they're not clashing with other people.

[Fact]

[QUOTE]
It's a stupid concept, really, because it's so easy to avoid.[QUOTE]
You try telling a depressed angst ridden teenager not to go on the internet. Tell me how that turns out for you. I think the problem is that teenagers haven't fully developed their reasoning skills. And some of the time they have too much pride to admit they shouldn't be on the internet because they tend not to take insults too well. One more thing is that, maybe, this depressed kid's outlet is something to do with the internet, such as gaming or meeting people on forums. Although over-all I agree with you that putting laws on this type of thing is a bad idea.

I know that it's difficult for teenagers not to use the Internet. This is where proper parenting comes in — if you have a depressed teenager using the Internet, get them off the Internet by any appropriate means and to a counselor or someone who can help.

If they use the Internet as an "outlet", that's fine as long as they're not clashing with other people.


What do you think depressed teenagers did about their problems before the internet? What's to stop them from solving their problems that way now? Nothing. The internet is avoidable, I know people that do so effectively and have just as happy lives as those who do use the internet on a regular basis. Perhaps if anything, they're happier? That could easily just be a coincidence though on my part :P

[Magus]

I use to take things seriously and take deeply at heart when things happens online. And, I believe I have made a thread about it once Click me (http://www.virtualteen.org/forums/showthread.php?t=67802) - I find it quite silly, you know.

That's not abuse, that's shit Internet disorders. If they are trolling me, which is obvious, I just left. Done that, and all went well from then on. Oh, youtube are full of those kind of asses, but that will not kill me either.

I try to be the coldhearted online - it's the interwebz people. It doesn't matter now. Internet is vast, and I have better places to visit.