Word Count: 692
If you're ever feeling like humanity hasn't let you down, just head over to any comment section and your lack of faith will be restored. For this particular assignment I looked around a few different news sights until I found an article with comments. The website was "MSN News" and the article (which had been posted 5 hours prior) had a drop down comment section where about 21 people had responded. Immediately you could see that people had resorted to flaming, one slight disagreement and comments like "are you stuck on stupid?" and "ur a PHUKTARD" emerged. There's no attempt to understand the statement that was made, or even to argue against the statement in any intelligent way. It's just, "you said something I found disagreeable and are therefore an idiot..." One commentator even told the person he disagreed with to "stay in the mountains where you belong becuase you clearly don't know what you're talking about" (notice the ironic typo--these are direct quotes--you'd think if you were going to insult someones intelligence online you'd at least use spell check).
It doesn't even matter what the argument is or what the other person said, because none of these people are actually trying to counter that argument. You could go to a comment section and type in "I love cheese" and people would call you an idiot, or tell you to "go back to the mountains where you belong..." I honestly think a lot of these people get off on the drama of it, on being a bully. I mean, if you truly disagreed, wouldn't you try and make an intellectual argument as to why the person was mistaken--rather then immediately jumping onto the you're an idiot bandwagon?
I found that sometimes people responded to these "attacks" with similar tactics, and but most of the time these negative comments were ignored. I didn't find anyone having an actual productive argument--but then again I think it is extremely rare for the comment section to actually provide anything of value to the reader. Perhaps once in a blue moon you'll find an informative comment, but most of the time, the comment section of any article, or photograph, or video, is filled with praise, junk, or hate speech (and I think its mostly the latter).
I also noticed that the nicer and more docile comments received fewer responses, for example, this article was about the death of a politician, one person remarked this:
"this was the heinous murder of one of
the nicest female politicians,wife,mother,daughter and friend to
all...gun crimes are a rarity in Birstall,West Yorkshire..so sad."
She received six "likes", one reply, and zero arguments. Compared to the comment I was referencing above which stated:
"Shooting and stabbing an unarmed woman.
What a big brave Nazi. Bunch of cowardly wussies. Thats whey they all
have to group together to feel powerful.." this comment has 14 likes, and 14 replies, most of which are "flaming" comments.
They are both basically saying the same thing, that it's sad that this woman died, yet one is filled with angry comments and the other isn't. The second comment seems a bit more provocative than the first, and received negative attention because people started talking about whether or not this was a hate crime. Yet again, no productive argument is made, it's just people disagreeing and calling each other stupid. So again, what's the point? I mostly try to avoid the public comment section on something whenever necessary, and I only respond to something when deeply provoked. Even then, I try to only comment when I actually have something productive to say, or have a real argument to make, one that is backed up by facts or figures.
Click here for the news article that I was referring to...
However, there are some comment sections that are simply filled with joy, and that is mostly any comment section that has to do with dogs ^.^ For example, Doug The Pug's Facebook is filled with likes, and hearts, and cute photos of other dogs. So I don't mind reading those!
Wednesday, November 23, 2016
Tuesday, November 1, 2016
Cyber-Bullying
Word Count: 893
This week we are supposed to pick a specific media story that relates to cyber bullying or internet abuse and address how the user could have avoided the events. The purpose is for us to demonstrate what we've learned about internet safety and effective online communication. I have chosen no one specific instance of cyber bullying to share or address, because I feel that doing so would be to shame a bullying victim--this is a very sensitive topic for me and many of these cyber bullying cases end in the death of young children and teens. There's no point in telling these victims how they could have handled the situation differently, that would only be cruel and unfair, because bullying is never the victims fault.
Instead I'd like to share with you the names of a few of these victims, and in their honor I'd like to discuss the steps that you should take if you ever find yourself under attack online.
May they rest in peace:
Amanda Todd--Cyber Bullying Victim--Committed Suicide at age 15
Hannah Smith--Cyber Bullying Victim--Committed Suicide at age 14
Jessica Laney--Cyber Bullying Victim--Committed Suicide at age 16
Megan Meier-Cyber Bullying Victim--Committed Suicide at age 13
Audrie Pott--Raped and Cyber Bullied--Committed Suicide at age 15
Ryan Halligan--Cyber Bullying Victim--Committed Suicide at age 14
Joshua Unsworth--Cyber Bullying Victim--Committed Suicide at age 15
Daniel Perry --Cyber Bullying Victim--Committed Suicide at age 17
Ronan Hughes--Cyber Bullying Victim--Committed Suicide at age 17
Tyler Clementi--Cyber Bullying Victim--Committed Suicide at age 18
I share these names with you today, to help bring awareness to the subject of cyber bullying. It knows no age range, no gender, no distance. Each of these teens has their own tragic story, they were harassed, bullied, blackmailed, sometimes assaulted and one victim was raped while unconscious. Their privacy was violated, they were stalked, they were mentally tortured and this has and is happening all over the world. Almost all of these victims had people online telling them they should commit suicide. This is the darker side of the internet, the deplorable side of humanity. One of the worst side effects of media on behavior is the mass desensitization towards violence. It was not their fault, it will never be their fault, but if you should ever find yourself in such a horrible situation: there are steps you can take.
1) Remember that this is not your fault, and you are not alone.
No matter the reason, bullying is not your fault, and those people are lying to you. Remember that. Also remember you aren't alone, millions of people have been the victims of online bullying. Bullys don't care who they pick on.
2) Ask for help
If you're feeling overwhelmed and you can't figure out what to do next--then ask for help. There are a number of different places you can go. A child should seek the help of an adult figure in charge, someone whom they can trust, a parent, a teacher, a principle, doctor, therapist, etc. AND if someone asks you for help with bullying, take it seriously.
3) Follow these 6 steps to get the bullys out of your life.
Lastly, remember what you do and what you say online has real life consequences--not just for yourself but for those with whom you communicate. Never. Ever. Tell someone they should kill themselves, or that the world would be a better place without them--because if you're the reason why they do, if you're the last straw, you've basically just become an accessory to murder. Always remember to be kind, remember the golden rule, and remember to think before you post.
References
Goad, Jim. "15 Teen Bullying Cases With Tragic Ends." Thought Catalog. April 22, 2015. Accessed November 01, 2016. http://thoughtcatalog.com/jim-goad/2015/04/15-teen-bullying-cases/
"Stories of 7 Teen Suicides Because of Ask.fm Bullying." CyberBullying Resources. August 2016. Accessed November 01, 2016. https://nobullying.com/stories-of-7-teen-suicides-because-of-ask-fm-bullying/
"The Top Six Unforgettable CyberBullying Cases Ever | NoBullying - Bullying & CyberBullying Resources." NoBullying. October 19, 2016. Accessed November 01, 2016. https://nobullying.com/six-unforgettable-cyber-bullying-cases/
This week we are supposed to pick a specific media story that relates to cyber bullying or internet abuse and address how the user could have avoided the events. The purpose is for us to demonstrate what we've learned about internet safety and effective online communication. I have chosen no one specific instance of cyber bullying to share or address, because I feel that doing so would be to shame a bullying victim--this is a very sensitive topic for me and many of these cyber bullying cases end in the death of young children and teens. There's no point in telling these victims how they could have handled the situation differently, that would only be cruel and unfair, because bullying is never the victims fault.
Instead I'd like to share with you the names of a few of these victims, and in their honor I'd like to discuss the steps that you should take if you ever find yourself under attack online.
May they rest in peace:
Amanda Todd--Cyber Bullying Victim--Committed Suicide at age 15
Hannah Smith--Cyber Bullying Victim--Committed Suicide at age 14
Jessica Laney--Cyber Bullying Victim--Committed Suicide at age 16
Megan Meier-Cyber Bullying Victim--Committed Suicide at age 13
Audrie Pott--Raped and Cyber Bullied--Committed Suicide at age 15
Ryan Halligan--Cyber Bullying Victim--Committed Suicide at age 14
Joshua Unsworth--Cyber Bullying Victim--Committed Suicide at age 15
Daniel Perry --Cyber Bullying Victim--Committed Suicide at age 17
Ronan Hughes--Cyber Bullying Victim--Committed Suicide at age 17
Tyler Clementi--Cyber Bullying Victim--Committed Suicide at age 18
I share these names with you today, to help bring awareness to the subject of cyber bullying. It knows no age range, no gender, no distance. Each of these teens has their own tragic story, they were harassed, bullied, blackmailed, sometimes assaulted and one victim was raped while unconscious. Their privacy was violated, they were stalked, they were mentally tortured and this has and is happening all over the world. Almost all of these victims had people online telling them they should commit suicide. This is the darker side of the internet, the deplorable side of humanity. One of the worst side effects of media on behavior is the mass desensitization towards violence. It was not their fault, it will never be their fault, but if you should ever find yourself in such a horrible situation: there are steps you can take.
1) Remember that this is not your fault, and you are not alone.
No matter the reason, bullying is not your fault, and those people are lying to you. Remember that. Also remember you aren't alone, millions of people have been the victims of online bullying. Bullys don't care who they pick on.
2) Ask for help
If you're feeling overwhelmed and you can't figure out what to do next--then ask for help. There are a number of different places you can go. A child should seek the help of an adult figure in charge, someone whom they can trust, a parent, a teacher, a principle, doctor, therapist, etc. AND if someone asks you for help with bullying, take it seriously.
3) Follow these 6 steps to get the bullys out of your life.
- Take threats seriously, if you do happen to see the threats and abuse towards you online, screen shot it--this can help you later when you ask for help. It can also be used as evidence in a court case, say if you need a restraining order for example. However, remember that you don't have to see these messages, don't obsess over them, and once you have your evidence ignore the rest. Do no re-read hurtful, angry, mean, or abusive messages. Remember--its not your fault. These people do not define you.
- Make sure all of your social media sites (including your emails) are private and strongly password protected.
- Delete any and all offenders from your friend and contact lists. Report them to the sites administrators. Block them.
- If things don't get better--deactivate your account--I know it's hard to believe but you'll be OK. If you really need a social media account to communicate with close family and friends you can make a new, private profile with a pseudo name and only add those closest to you.
- Get a new phone number if necessary, its not as hard as you think it is.
- Don't respond to negative messages, in fact, if you can, once you have your evidence, don't even read them. Delete them right away--and don't retaliate. You don't need to stoop to their level.
Lastly, remember what you do and what you say online has real life consequences--not just for yourself but for those with whom you communicate. Never. Ever. Tell someone they should kill themselves, or that the world would be a better place without them--because if you're the reason why they do, if you're the last straw, you've basically just become an accessory to murder. Always remember to be kind, remember the golden rule, and remember to think before you post.
ReferencesGoad, Jim. "15 Teen Bullying Cases With Tragic Ends." Thought Catalog. April 22, 2015. Accessed November 01, 2016. http://thoughtcatalog.com/jim-goad/2015/04/15-teen-bullying-cases/
"Stories of 7 Teen Suicides Because of Ask.fm Bullying." CyberBullying Resources. August 2016. Accessed November 01, 2016. https://nobullying.com/stories-of-7-teen-suicides-because-of-ask-fm-bullying/
"The Top Six Unforgettable CyberBullying Cases Ever | NoBullying - Bullying & CyberBullying Resources." NoBullying. October 19, 2016. Accessed November 01, 2016. https://nobullying.com/six-unforgettable-cyber-bullying-cases/
"Tips to Help Stop Cyberbullying." ConnectSafely. December 6, 2013.
Accessed November 01, 2016.
http://www.connectsafely.org/tips-to-help-stop-cyberbullying/
"Tyler Clementi 1992-2010." Pure Sight Online Child Safety. Accessed
November 01, 2016.
http://puresight.com/Real-Life-Stories/tyler-clementi-1992-2010-puresight.html
Reporter, Telegraph. "Online Trick 'led to Teenage Boy's Suicide'" The
Telegraph. June 08, 2015. Accessed November 01, 2016.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/law-and-order/11661272/Online-trick-led-to-teenage-boys-suicide.html
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