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Is Cyberbullying Real?

Robbway

Shared on Mon, 02/26/2007 - 08:22

There is an interesting article on Arstechnica article on cyberbullying and legislation.  However, the one question that should be investigated is:  Is cyberbullying real?  I believe it happens, but my bullshit meter is pegged on this one.  A Google search leads to nothing but special interest groups looking for "donations."  The linked article also takes a Utah study for granted that "one in three" teenagers are cyberbullied.  Again, the study was by a special interest group.

If you are threatened online, you can take it to the police if you kept good logs on the threats.  They can then trace it back to the source if its bad, and the offender can be arrested.  But, let me ask you:  what is the difference between a bully and a cyberbully?  I pose that the difference is that cyberbully has no material weight.  A real bully scares you, because he threatens you to the face.  A cyberbully ignored is no different than not being bullied at all.  If you ignore them, they will show their face if they're serious.  Most of the time, nothing will happen at all.

So I reiterate, Is Cyberbullying Real? and What is the real extent of the problem?

Comments

Robbway's picture
Submitted by Robbway on Mon, 02/26/2007 - 11:40
Thanks for that info. I also think they're confusing harrassment with bullying. Bullying is a special type of harrassment that involves threats to your well-being. It's like bullying, only you have proof. As for cyber bullies that became actual bullies, if you ignore them, the outcome is the same. If you ignore the more cowardly kind, nothing happens. It really is a matter of how you deal with it. The typical scenario I've heard was filling up their voicemail, email, instant messenger, and text messages with threats. Call your cellphone provider and have them remove the charges and give you a new number based on harrassment (they'll help you!) Change your email and get a new chat ID. Then there's the hard part. You have to control these identities closely. If the harrasser cracks into your accounts or home network, they've committed federal crimes in addition to local laws against harrassment. My only other reservation is that most teenagers are well aware of these methods, which makes me seriously doubt it's much of a problem.
J-Cat's picture
Submitted by J-Cat on Thu, 03/01/2007 - 17:18
Interesting post. When I think of cyberbullying I think of people spreading false rumours or embarrasing information via an on-line medium. Think of that kid who did the Star Wars/light sabre video and had it posted on-line. I think that this type of behaviour has similarities to old fashioned bullying (back in the day it was just notes passed back and forth), but today the message is spread world-wide instead of amoung your home room. Also posting something on-line is more anonymous than the old fashioned bullying. However you define it, it's a problem. Is it worth giving money to? That's a whole different ball game!
Devonsangel's picture
Submitted by Devonsangel on Mon, 02/26/2007 - 08:32
Good question. But, there have been a few, and I emphasize few, instances where a cyberbully has materialized into a bully. The real problem is that people are so afraid of confrontation, bullys, real or cyber, achieve some sense of power from these people. It's sad.

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