Gosh, How sad it has become in this world. I have been listening to stories of internet bullying recently. Mainly from people involved one way or another with education. The stories are horrendous and have really made me think about this internet communication thing. I guess the fact we cosset ourselves and family from the awkwardness of the world and encourage communication via the internet is partly to blame, yet the fact there are so many people out there ready to spout vile and hatred even against school friends and colleagues is very worrying. Back in the olden days when people met and spoke mainly face to face there was a etiquette to the whole affair. These days people seem to be oblivious to their rudeness and because there is very little face to face reaction they seem to think it is okay to completely destroy someone on the internet without so much as a by or leave for the persons feelings or reaction to the comment. It would be easier for them to gauge the persons reaction in real life I think, when they could see the hurt or anger. I think the internet is dumbing down these crucial nuances of communication tbh. I don't think people know any more where the banter ends and feelings take over. I for one am definitely taking a look at what I type into the ether and will be scrutinising my content this year. I have been relatively new to this internet stuff over the past few years and through the stories coming back from people in authority have become disheartened by the way it is going and being used by all sorts of odd people. The influence of the written word can be great and is probably a better medium when used positively as apposed to negatively. I'm not on about a bit of banter like what we have on here, but the serious nasty stuff that seems to be getting more and more sinister on t'internet. I know it's easy to sit in the comfort of your own home and be as awful as you like, but all of us should really think about the stuff we post a little bit longer before hitting the ' post' button. Just a thought.
Never post something you aren't happy to look someone in the eye and say. Never use words like 'we' and 'people' when expressing your own individual opinion, simply to add gravitas to your own argument or point. Never post something you aren't prepared to have ridiculed by total strangers.
I think that's where regular meet ups with fellow forum members help out , once you have met personally it's easier to understand their humour and know how any comments are intended... It's a good job I met @Barneyrubble earlier this year
I reckon it's a lot of peoples lives. So many people online chatting and doing it on open forums etc, people butt in and make comments etc that they take so seriously... I guess most of us do exactly what you say, but some don't. Even something as innocent as what you just wrote could be taken badly by some.
I agree. My eldest is in his first year of high school where this seems to be the norm. I think this is the norm across the board. The 'bullies' use the internet to threaten & intimidate their prey prior to the physical bullying as they understand this would heighten the fear in their victim adding to the satisfaction the bullies get from the act of bullying itself. I have certainly been watching what I say online (I only post on here) even to the point of trying not to swear but it is blooming easy!
Stick's and stones, people are so soft these days. Turn off the computer then, real bullies were miles worse.
Excellent point. I work in education. I educate kids to not answer numbers they don't recognise. Don't think people on facearse are friends. The off button holds massive amounts of power. Never reply to a nasty message/text and don't delete them (evidence). We are taught to answer the phone politely but I teach to not answer if you don't want to. The piece of tech you use to communicate is yours and as such you control who and what comes through it. It's allowing yourself to be a victim that is the problem same as normal bullying.
