Discussion: Is Online Harassment really that bad?

ezra

Like, if you receive mean/cruel messages should that constitute as some kind of crime? Should websites have policies to crack down on it at least? Who defines what mean/cruel things can or cannot be said? Can't you just block and/or look away?

I watched this little debate thing and I honestly don't think free speech should be infringed. The context is some feminists think any criticisms that upset their feelings should essentially be banned. (some have even sued for online "abuse")

Here's a video about the background of the case about a woman suing someone for online harassment.

Attitude

You could just block them, but if the person is intent on hurting you they'll go out of their way to make multiple accounts. That's when you need to get the website involved.

heauxm

No just don't look at them

Artemisia

ezra pls

Caesar

Quote:

Originally posted by Attitude

You could just block them, but if the person is intent on hurting you they'll go out of their way to make multiple accounts. That's when you need to get the website involved.

.

ezra

Quote:

Originally posted by heauxm

No just don't look at them

Especially on something like twitter. I got RT'd by Deadmau5 and he dragged me and 1000s of his homophobe crazy fans were wishing me death and dragging me to the pits. Interestingly, it not only didn't phase me one bit, but it went away and literally meant nothing. Like, get off the internet if you can't hear someone tell you something rude

SHICD

Nah. Log off weak bitches.

Clearly joking.

fanboyn8

From random people its pretty meaningless. But when it's people you know, that's when it gets more serious. Like when bullies from a school will create hate pages/sites against someone and pretty much ostracize them, that can really screw someone up. There should def be policies and laws against that.

blairwaldorff

In the wise words of Tyler The Creator:

http://i.imgur.com/W1zk4ZF.jpg

ezra

Quote:

Originally posted by fanboyn8

From random people its pretty meaningless. But when it's people you know, that's when it gets more serious. Like when bullies from a school will create hate pages/sites against someone and pretty much ostracize them, that can really screw someone up. There should def be policies and laws against that.

You can't prevent it though. The best you could do is screenshot the posts (in the school situation) and show it to administrators and teachers so they know there's a bullying issue going on outside of school.

Saying mean things cannot ever become a crime

Gladion

I feel like you need to work on your self-esteem if random people on the internet "picking on you" bothers you, but if its like "kill yourself" and stuff I can see it being very bad if that makes sense

But simply having a twitter calling each other bad words i dont believe is considered harassment if you took a part in it

Starburst

Well that depends on how much emotion (77 on metacritic) you invest into the internet.

jordanjm

Honestly. I've bullied a few people, for multiple reasons. Make different accounts on things, if I get tired of that I would put their numbers on Craigslist giving away free stuff so people would call them endlessly. I've threatened to out people to their religious families or out their deepest secrets.

I used to be a messed up person but I've found its much better to just not react and get revenge when I'm angry at someone.

ezra

Quote:

Originally posted by jordanjm

Honestly. I've bullied a few people, for multiple reasons. Make different accounts on things, if I get tired of that I would put their numbers on Craigslist giving away free stuff so people would call them endlessly. I've threatened to out people to their religious families or out their deepest secrets.

I used to be a messed up person but I've found its much better to just not react and get revenge when I'm angry at someone.

I've never done anything remotely that vile

Wow. Glad you've stopped that, though.

Mezter

Literally just drag them back. And do it 10x harder than they did it to you

Dylobs

I sort of get the reasoning behind someone saying "log off" if it bothers you but I think it's the fact that you would have to log off and disconnect yourself that would probably be one of the harshest things. Obviously there are some that are oversensitive little S.O.B.s but I think a lot of people just forget that there is someone behind the screen and they cross the line because of this.

But also, and this was covered in a South Park episode which is the basis for all my knowledge of the world, but even if you wanted to get "mean" comments "banned", it would have to be someone's job to go through and stop people from being mean to others; and could you imagine how degrading it would be for someone to have a job where their sole purpose is to make you feel good? No one would actually want to do the regulating of this so... there's a point where you're just gonna have to suck it up.

[/EndNon-SensicalRantWithNoPurposeOrContention]

Sabbath

Quote:

Originally posted by blairwaldorff

In the wise words of Tyler The Creator:

http://i.imgur.com/W1zk4ZF.jpg

I literally came here to post this

OT: Nah, close your eyes!!!!!

MissAmericanDream

I probably would have had a different answer had I not watched this a few days ago (yes I acknowledge I'm trash for watching Dance Moms)

Children today are going to grow up knowing nothing but technology so when you say just walk away its really not that simple to them when thats all they've known and what their world revolves around today. I think if you're 17+ you should know to walk away by then but its not easy for the younger ones and more attention should be paid to what their online experience is like

DevonDreams

Quote:

Originally posted by blairwaldorff

In the wise words of Tyler The Creator:

http://i.imgur.com/W1zk4ZF.jpg

Close Your Eyes!
I did when Ezra called me a nazi earlier today.