Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Why is it an issue?
Cyber bullying occurs when there are technologically savvy predators online that prey on unsuspecting victims. There are various reasons for online bullies to attack othe
rs such as for personal reasons between people who know each other but do not necessarily interact in the same circle of friends, those who are rivals from the same workplace or school, those bullies who upgrade from physical to mental harassment and there are those who randomly pick on an innocent bystander out of jealousy, discrimination and sheer enjoyment at others’ expense. It is also a common social threat where many cases have been reported globally. That is, due to the availability of technology all over the world there are also flaws attached to its uses and the internet is so vast that similar problems can be found in both western and eastern countries.
Cyber harassment is one of the main reasons for the deterrence of users from social sites and its benefits. For example, there are those who may have stated their opinion about something on a social site and in return, earned themselves a ‘cranky’ online stalker who goes out of their way to embed their ‘flaming’ messages all over the other’s page. Not everybody would be an avid user of social sites like Twitter, Bebo, MySpace and Facebook because of such hassles but sometimes it is enough to have use email systems than having to update personal webpages and meeting ‘weirdos’.
rs such as for personal reasons between people who know each other but do not necessarily interact in the same circle of friends, those who are rivals from the same workplace or school, those bullies who upgrade from physical to mental harassment and there are those who randomly pick on an innocent bystander out of jealousy, discrimination and sheer enjoyment at others’ expense. It is also a common social threat where many cases have been reported globally. That is, due to the availability of technology all over the world there are also flaws attached to its uses and the internet is so vast that similar problems can be found in both western and eastern countries.
Cyber harassment is one of the main reasons for the deterrence of users from social sites and its benefits. For example, there are those who may have stated their opinion about something on a social site and in return, earned themselves a ‘cranky’ online stalker who goes out of their way to embed their ‘flaming’ messages all over the other’s page. Not everybody would be an avid user of social sites like Twitter, Bebo, MySpace and Facebook because of such hassles but sometimes it is enough to have use email systems than having to update personal webpages and meeting ‘weirdos’. This is an irritating issue because abusers use fear to gain hold of those on the end of the network which can become life threatening if it gets out of control. There are peop
le’s rights to consider when interacting with others online especially if people begin to cross moral boundaries. For instance, there are countries which are very dependent on the internet such as Asia where it is the norm to be interacting online. These online communities are known as netizens (internet citizens) who thrive on gossip and other forms of news on their favoured local celebrities and most of the time they are fans with obsessive issues. It does not seem like much when it is an individual but in numbers they can be difficult to avoid. Who are mainly at risk?
Those who ar
e victimised are mainly youths of society. In parts of the western world, it is the norm for teenagers to go through that awkward stage of self discovery and trying to fit in with social groups but they also experience the downside of being social outcasts. There are people out there whose only form of escape from their own drab lives is to make others feel their deadly impact. Furthermore, the families of the victims are also affected by the harassment. It is only natural that the family of the individual being attacked will support them and try to either contact the authorities or take matters into their own hands. It may start out as a small matter but then when it becomes serious, family members will step in to try and neutralise the problem, although it escalates out of control at times and both parties are in trouble from the law.
The online harassment dilemma does not discriminate about status in a cyber oriented/savvy society. That is, even public figures in a society are targets of public harassment whether provoked or not. For instance, those celebrities in parts of Asia are highly sort after by fandoms (organised groups of fans) online as well as anti-fans (rival fans of other celebrities) and are the equivalent of the paparazzi – stalkers in western society. There are loyal supporters and there are those who may turn ‘anti’ if their favoured idol’s social habits differ from the expected image.
Consequently, celebrities in those countries have to tread carefully not just with their image but also their private lives – a musician cannot maintain a relationship with someone without being spotted in public and so-called fans become enraged online (emotional from non-existent relationships with them), therefore an unnecessary public apology is made for something so private. Such public display of online behaviour is really unnecessary as it becomes a matter of public figures versus mass peer pressure from netizens – online communities are judge and jury in a social game with people’s lives. The usual results from mass pressure on their celebrity victims are that some close down their social network accounts, disappear from the limelight for a while or they resort to suicide. One cannot blame these local icons for their coping methods because they can endure only so much along with their fears of public criticism/awareness of private matters. To make matters worse, the media exploits such small things into an issue where others become aware of it and it grows worse.
e victimised are mainly youths of society. In parts of the western world, it is the norm for teenagers to go through that awkward stage of self discovery and trying to fit in with social groups but they also experience the downside of being social outcasts. There are people out there whose only form of escape from their own drab lives is to make others feel their deadly impact. Furthermore, the families of the victims are also affected by the harassment. It is only natural that the family of the individual being attacked will support them and try to either contact the authorities or take matters into their own hands. It may start out as a small matter but then when it becomes serious, family members will step in to try and neutralise the problem, although it escalates out of control at times and both parties are in trouble from the law.The online harassment dilemma does not discriminate about status in a cyber oriented/savvy society. That is, even public figures in a society are targets of public harassment whether provoked or not. For instance, those celebrities in parts of Asia are highly sort after by fandoms (organised groups of fans) online as well as anti-fans (rival fans of other celebrities) and are the equivalent of the paparazzi – stalkers in western society. There are loyal supporters and there are those who may turn ‘anti’ if their favoured idol’s social habits differ from the expected image.
Consequently, celebrities in those countries have to tread carefully not just with their image but also their private lives – a musician cannot maintain a relationship with someone without being spotted in public and so-called fans become enraged online (emotional from non-existent relationships with them), therefore an unnecessary public apology is made for something so private. Such public display of online behaviour is really unnecessary as it becomes a matter of public figures versus mass peer pressure from netizens – online communities are judge and jury in a social game with people’s lives. The usual results from mass pressure on their celebrity victims are that some close down their social network accounts, disappear from the limelight for a while or they resort to suicide. One cannot blame these local icons for their coping methods because they can endure only so much along with their fears of public criticism/awareness of private matters. To make matters worse, the media exploits such small things into an issue where others become aware of it and it grows worse.
Conclusion
Cybers
pace is a virtual war zone in which users will have to constantly be wary especially in terms of their online conduct – it is an open space for anything and everything to happen, so it pays to be careful when one’s opinions and actions may decide one’s fate. Online harassment is a dangerous form of abuse and it should not be taken lightly but it does exist and there are mixed results from its restrictions whether by the law or social network regulations. Due to the nature of cyber bullying, there needs to be further investigations into methods of improving the security of social sites and hopefully, penalties for such abuse will become universal and is included in the law systems all over the globe. This is important in regards to those countries which spend more and more time online rather than the ‘real world’ and as long as there are online issues like this, lives will continue to be ruined and lost because of constant ignorance.
pace is a virtual war zone in which users will have to constantly be wary especially in terms of their online conduct – it is an open space for anything and everything to happen, so it pays to be careful when one’s opinions and actions may decide one’s fate. Online harassment is a dangerous form of abuse and it should not be taken lightly but it does exist and there are mixed results from its restrictions whether by the law or social network regulations. Due to the nature of cyber bullying, there needs to be further investigations into methods of improving the security of social sites and hopefully, penalties for such abuse will become universal and is included in the law systems all over the globe. This is important in regards to those countries which spend more and more time online rather than the ‘real world’ and as long as there are online issues like this, lives will continue to be ruined and lost because of constant ignorance.
References
Asphodel. (2010). Jonghyun expresses his deepest apologies to fans on ‘Music Bank’. Retrieved November 4, 2010, from http://www.allkpop.com/2010/10/jonghyun-expresses-his-deepest-apologies-to-fans-on-music-bank
Brown, J. (2007). Cyber-bullying goes high-tech. Retrieved August 24, 2010, from http://www.nzherald.co.nz/technology/news/article.cfm?c_id=5&objectid=10430504
Casinader, J. (2010). Life unplugged. Retrieved August 24, 2010, from http://www.nzherald.co.nz/lifestyle/news/article.cfm?c_id=6&objectid=10665586
Casper. (2010). Shawols show their support for SHINee’s Jonghyun. Retrieved November 5, 2010, from http://www.allkpop.com/2010/11/shawols-show-their-support-for-shinees-jonghyun
Coppola, M. (2010). Cyberbullying – a worldwide problem. Retrieved September 21, 2010, from http://factoidz.com/cyberbullying-a-worldwide-problem-with-serious-repurcussions/
Cyber bullying and School bullying. (2010). Retrieved August 31, 2010, from http://www.bullyingtalk.com/
Ferlazzo, M. (2010). The prevalence of cyberbullying and its psychological impact on nonheterosexual youth revealed by new study. Retrieved August 31, 2010, from http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/181669.php
Freeman, D. W. (2010). Dr phil on cyberbullying: world wide web like wild, wild west. Retrieved September 21, 2010, from http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-504763_162-20008822-10391704.html
Hennessey, J. (2010). Signs of cyberbullying. Retrieved August 31, 2010, from http://www.ehow.com/about_5065567_signs-cyberbullying.html
Owens, L. (2010). Phoebe Prince – tragic case of (cyber)bullying. Retrieved September 21, 2010, from http://internetsafety.trendmicro.com/phoebe-prince-tragic-case-of-cyberbullying
Reuters. (n.d.). Cyber-bullying cases put heat on Google, Facebook. . Retrieved September 21, 2010, from http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE6275UG20100309
Strother, J. (2010). South Korean students battle cyber-bullying with positive comments. Retrieved September 21, 2010, from http://www.voanews.com/english/news/asia/South-Korean-Students-Battle-Cyber-Bullying-with-Positive-Comments-89507477.html
Wardell, B. (2009). 10 signs of cyber-bullying. Retrieved August 31, 2010, from http://www.onlinesecurityauthority.com/bullies-bullying/10-signs-of-cyber-bullying/
Brown, J. (2007). Cyber-bullying goes high-tech. Retrieved August 24, 2010, from http://www.nzherald.co.nz/technology/news/article.cfm?c_id=5&objectid=10430504
Casinader, J. (2010). Life unplugged. Retrieved August 24, 2010, from http://www.nzherald.co.nz/lifestyle/news/article.cfm?c_id=6&objectid=10665586
Casper. (2010). Shawols show their support for SHINee’s Jonghyun. Retrieved November 5, 2010, from http://www.allkpop.com/2010/11/shawols-show-their-support-for-shinees-jonghyun
Coppola, M. (2010). Cyberbullying – a worldwide problem. Retrieved September 21, 2010, from http://factoidz.com/cyberbullying-a-worldwide-problem-with-serious-repurcussions/
Cyber bullying and School bullying. (2010). Retrieved August 31, 2010, from http://www.bullyingtalk.com/
Ferlazzo, M. (2010). The prevalence of cyberbullying and its psychological impact on nonheterosexual youth revealed by new study. Retrieved August 31, 2010, from http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/181669.php
Freeman, D. W. (2010). Dr phil on cyberbullying: world wide web like wild, wild west. Retrieved September 21, 2010, from http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-504763_162-20008822-10391704.html
Hennessey, J. (2010). Signs of cyberbullying. Retrieved August 31, 2010, from http://www.ehow.com/about_5065567_signs-cyberbullying.html
Owens, L. (2010). Phoebe Prince – tragic case of (cyber)bullying. Retrieved September 21, 2010, from http://internetsafety.trendmicro.com/phoebe-prince-tragic-case-of-cyberbullying
Reuters. (n.d.). Cyber-bullying cases put heat on Google, Facebook. . Retrieved September 21, 2010, from http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE6275UG20100309
Strother, J. (2010). South Korean students battle cyber-bullying with positive comments. Retrieved September 21, 2010, from http://www.voanews.com/english/news/asia/South-Korean-Students-Battle-Cyber-Bullying-with-Positive-Comments-89507477.html
Wardell, B. (2009). 10 signs of cyber-bullying. Retrieved August 31, 2010, from http://www.onlinesecurityauthority.com/bullies-bullying/10-signs-of-cyber-bullying/
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