Messageboard bullying

darkman2

Hi,

We all know what bully's are like in real life - mostly quite simple individuals - quite retarded - and very insecure.


But what about message boards like this? Its very easy to act a hard man over the internet. You wont suffer the consequences (unless of course your victim is a haking genuine hardman who might hunt you down and kill you or worse......but thats niether here nor there). My question is - Is this type of online bullying worse then bullying face to face? Often on message boards like this, i have observed, that bullying tends to be more if you like cryptic. Its veiled but it is there. Its often antagonistic but this would not be obvious immediately to other posters. Of course this is cowardly. However ive seen alot of harsh things said about other people over the net (things that initially seem harmless but look a little deeper and the problems emerge). Do you think that bullying over the web is actually worse then face to face bullying?

Also how often have you seen online bullying on boards like this? Even if it is veiled to a certain extent.

DeVore

Please point me at Real Life[tm]'s Ignore feature...


BTW, I finished the Internet..... (the last guy was hard )

DeV.

tman

DeVore wrote: »

(the last guy was hard )

UR TEH GHEY LOL!

How's that for cryptic!:cool:

darkman2

tman wrote: »

UR TEH GHEY LOL!

How's that for cryptic!:cool:

Ha! Yes very good. How about you dont bully the real hard men though - the supreme mods! You and your cryptic bullying......

Sir Digby Chicken Caesar

how about all you thin skinned people just grow a pair and get over it?

it's part of the internet, everyone went through it when they first started using it. Deal with it, you'll pass through it.. and emerge from the flames a beautiful phoenix.

Karoma

darkman2 wrote:

Often on message boards like this, i have observed, that bullying tends to be more if you like cryptic. Its veiled but it is there.

Or maybe one misinterperts things?

On Boards.ie: I've seen bullying a few times. It's rare. It's usually give-and-take - the perceived level of anonymity that encourages one to attack usually encourages the other to defend and counter-attack and so on. <insert non-PC adage about arguing on the Internets> (Flaming -v- 'bullying')
The more "cryptic" form of bullying is very rare and in part down to our strict policy of 'no personal abuse'.

dorkman2 wrote:

Do you think that bullying over the web is actually worse then face to face bullying?

No; not really. You can ignore it. It is more cowardly but you have to choose to let these things wind you up.





(What I found amusing before: A spanner was banned or threatened with a ban and started gave a moderator a fair amount of abuse... they had post a link to their bebo in a post and other details elsewhere and could easily be traced. A quick PM later and the guy quickly STFU.)

darkman2

Karoma wrote: »

(What I found amusing before: A spanner was banned or threatened with a ban and started gave a moderator a fair amount of abuse... they had post a link to their bebo in a post and other details elsewhere and could easily be traced. A quick PM later and the guy quickly STFU.)

Well, this is the issue really I suppose. Its too easy to act hard or think you are over the internet. Not that anything can be done of course but frequently I find myself thinking - if this guy was in front of me he would get a thumping. Of course you cant do that over the internet. However I would say bullying has increased (as a result of the internet) and has probrably led to more severe repercussions then the perpetrators will ever know. I really do think it is too easy to be something you're not over the internet. Like I say nothing can be done about it.

AARRRGH

The Internet is full of bullies. When you meet them in real life, they are meek and polite.

The Internet just makes you realise meek and polite != nice. It normally means angry and nasty.

The only reason Internet bullies don't bother me is because I have a nice, happy life, and I know they must be miserable to be acting like this.

solas

honestly, after nearly ten years of interwebbing I've noticed the uttermost contemptible bile only the last five or so. Maybe I was just very innocent and naive when I first started going online or maybe the vast majority of the great unwashed just didnt have access to the internet ten years ago. It is a serious issue though, when people (adults) turn on their computers and believe they consequently have earned the right to hurt or offend complete strangers and its considered the norm and etc etc
and maybe all we can do is accept it.

on a more serious note, I have a 14 year old who does quite a bit of social networking with schoolmates and whatnot and while I do try and make sure she's smart about it I'd do time for what I might do if anyone treated her even half as badly as I have been in the past

and yes, I believe it is worse on the internet..can't explain why. (or i believe you already know why)

S.I.R

i dont get bullyed , generally i have whats known as a " give one , i give you 2 back " kinda attitude.

concidering my weird amount of self control i dont allow idiots to annoy me... though they manly amuse me with there great slaggings and such....

if you ever get e-bullied just use the lol approach i.e

bully- gimme all your e-money or ill kick your butt

you: lol

bully - * kicks your butt *

you- lol

bully - i gotz yo money sucka

you lol , you cant steal my money , i got punk buster

bully * clonk to the head *




works Everytime Fact.

biko

IRL there no report abuse button. An obvious bully will be thrown out from boards.
We also have feedback etc.
I've not seen obvious bullying on boards but there are users that don't get along, just like IRL.

MrJoeSoap

marcsignal wrote: »

Bullying/fighting on the internet is like running in the Special Olympics.
Even if you win, you're still a feckin retard.

I reckon I've reported about 4 posts in all my time on boards, you are now part of the elite few. Karma will hopefully act swiftly, that was a sick thing to say.

Sam Vimes

youtube is the worst for it. Its amazing the amount of people who take time out of their day to tell some random person they've never met that they have a big nose or whatever

arybvtcw0eolkf

Actually I'd never given it any consideration until very recently when a remark was made to me on AH. At the time I hardly even knew the member, but I got two PM's and a quiry on MSN IM regarding the member.

Apparently some people had noticed he'd made similar remarks to me in other forum's here on boards.ie

So I done a search and found, 'yea, this guy is being a little pr*ck'..

But was I bullied?, no I don't feel I was but I think a big attempt was made to bully me.

I didn't respond of course, but 'tis a small world and I do believe our paths will cross and we can chat about it then.

In general bully's turn my stomach. Its a very sad and despicable thing to do to someone.

Lockstep

Karoma wrote: »

(What I found amusing before: A spanner was banned or threatened with a ban and started gave a moderator a fair amount of abuse... they had post a link to their bebo in a post and other details elsewhere and could easily be traced. A quick PM later and the guy quickly STFU.)

Ha!

Commander Vimes wrote: »

youtube is the worst for it. Its amazing the amount of people who take time out of their day to tell some random person they've never met that they have a big nose or whatever

Agreed, if anyone posts anything on Youtube they get slagged for it, there was one guy who was a fantastic guitarist and people kept writing- stuff like "lolz, he looks gay" "he's so fecking skinny etc"


Anyone see the SouthPark with MEl Gibson movie? Cartman over the phone brings the internet people to mind.

SimpleSam06

darkman2 wrote: »

Do you think that bullying over the web is actually worse then face to face bullying?

Also how often have you seen online bullying on boards like this? Even if it is veiled to a certain extent.

I have the answer you seek, young padawan.

marcsignal

MrJoeSoap wrote: »

I reckon I've reported about 4 posts in all my time on boards, you are now part of the elite few. Karma will hopefully act swiftly, that was a sick thing to say.

distaste noted, post deleted.......

Hagar

Secret bully vBulletin codes.

Press Shift-Ctrl-Alt P [Username] to pinch a user.
Press Shift-Ctrl-Alt H [Username] to pull a user's hair.
Press Shift-Ctrl-Alt J [Username] to jostle a user.
Press Shift-Ctrl-Alt C [Username] to make a user cry.

arybvtcw0eolkf

Hagar wrote: »

Secret bully vBulletin codes.

Press Shift-Ctrl-Alt P [Username] to pinch a user.
Press Shift-Ctrl-Alt H [Username] to pull a user's hair.
Press Shift-Ctrl-Alt J [Username] to jostle a user.
Press Shift-Ctrl-Alt C [Username] to make a user cry.

Grand, I just pinched StarPants on the arse.

WhiteWashMan

it would be niave to think that bullying doesnt happen online or even not on boards.ie. it does.

hwever, i think theres a few things that need to be taken into account. 70% of communication is through body language. when all you have is some text on a screen, you have 70% of additional language to make up in your own head. you may completely take something up the wrong way. reading something that you think may be a case of bullying may not have been the posters aim at all.

secondly, many people thinkn they are being bullied just becuase someone doesnt agree with them. being in the minority opinon on a thread does not mean you are being bullied. it means that most other people will think youre wrong. sinple as.

actually bullying on boards.ie. i have certainly seen it from a few users, but mostly, and unfortauntely, its moderators that are the main culprits. ive been accused of being a bully plenty of times, but i dont think ive every bullied anyone in a purposeful or malicious way. ive certainly taken the piss out of enough people mind

i have however never banned anyone from a forum for personal reasons, including ause directed at me (that does not give everyone an invitation to abuse me ). and thats dispite The Gophers best attempts to suggest I do every chance I get.

drdre

The mods should take action against bullies on the site and should give them a site ban.

WhiteWashMan

the people who are bullied should take it to the admin and get it sorted there. im not a net nanny

togster

Bullying 16 yo kids who aren't even menbers here to defend themselves is a bit low imo.

Tusky

I'll bully ALL of you if you're not careful.

Winters

togster wrote: »

Bullying 16 yo kids who aren't even menbers here to defend themselves is a bit low imo.

But what about if they are a gigantic ****?

Your all gigantic faggots.

Karoma

drdre wrote: »

The mods should take action against bullies on the site and should give them a site ban.

Action is taken when it is brought to our attention. Rather, SMods are the people that handle it at the end of the day. It's usually judged on the basis of the hypothetical average sane individual - we don't want overly-sensitive people crying 'bully' because (As WWM pointed out) they're in a minority in an argument. It's more persistent harassment across threads and boards.

One of the most despicable forms of bullying that I have seen on boards.ie:
One particular user using every third thread to take a personal dig at other users (They'd usually be the same 3 or 4 usernames that he'd choose). The 'victims' would not have even necessarily posted in that thread.
When confronted, he claimed we're being too strict, etc. and if feedback he left is anything to go by, he feels that he's being persecuted but he seems to have dropped it. I wonder if they even realise that they're being a bully unless it's pointed out to them. Some people need to put others down to make themselves look better*. Maybe it's not actually intended as malicious but rather the product of the geek inferiority complex?
Maybe a PM between users could easily sort this stuff out?



*Look at that **** Winters, he won't understand the genius contained within this post.

Sir Digby Chicken Caesar

MrJoeSoap wrote: »

I reckon I've reported about 4 posts in all my time on boards, you are now part of the elite few. Karma will hopefully act swiftly, that was a sick thing to say.

you have got to be ****ing kidding me.
that special olympics joke is part of internet history. Haven't you ever seen that picture? It has been used for EVERYTHING.

every possible argument you can have on the internet, you run the risk that someone will post that picture.. BECAUSE IT'S ****ING HILARIOUS.

you people ruin the internet.

Sonnenblumen

Karoma wrote: »

Some people need to put others down to make themselves look better*. Maybe it's not actually intended as malicious but rather the product of the geek inferiority complex?
QUOTE]

Agree and a very popular approach amongst Mods, for lots of examples see Feedback.

Karoma

Agree and a very popular approach amongst Mods, for lots of examples see Feedback.

We're going back to the definition of bullying again aren't we , really. Just because someone points out that an idiot is an idiot doesn't mean it's bullying. Just because several point out that an idiot is an idiot still doesn't make it bullying... it means the idiot is outnumbered. That said, I've heard complaints of bullying by mods in Feedback. The only examples I have seen are by non-mods - one of which was banned in the last few days.

Sonnenblumen

Karoma wrote: »

We're going back to the definition of bullying again aren't we , really. Just because someone points out that an idiot is an idiot doesn't mean it's bullying. Just because several point out that an idiot is an idiot still doesn't make it bullying... it means the idiot is outnumbered. That said, I've heard complaints of bullying by mods in Feedback. The only examples I have seen are by non-mods - one of which was banned in the last few days.

I know with some degree of certainty that several Mods are idiots, but their sense inflated egos insist they're superior and empowered to call others idiots. Some will regularly offend and insult beyond their 'perceived call of duty' insisting the target idiot justifies the bullying approach. Retribution is theoretically possible but effectively rare. Mods are more likely to herd and join in the 'idiot chant'.

One Mod banned, well hoora, lots more to go.

You've a most peculiar understanding of idiots but much less on bullying. IMO the latter is to be found with the 'herd mentality' whilst the inarticulate sheepish morons are quick to label others idiots.

If ganging up on someone and simultaneously calling them an idiot, what is bullying?

Dennis the Stone

I have a funny picture similar to the Special Olympics one, it's even more likely to offend. I've seen it used on other forums, nearly always resulting in a banning. I did find it funny though..

Black Swan

Bullies are part of the playground of life, whether they confront you face-to-face, or cowardly hide behind the anonymity of the net. You deal with it, cause it's part of growing up. Only happened once to me on boards.ie, which is pretty good methinks.

Karoma

Sonnenblumen wrote: »

I know with some degree of certainty that several Mods are idiots, but their sense inflated egos insist they're superior and empowered to call others idiots. Some will regularly offend and insult beyond their 'perceived call of duty' insisting the target idiot justifies the bullying approach. Retribution is theoretically possible but effectively rare. Mods are more likely to herd and join in the 'idiot chant'.

They're about as like to herd as the 'fight da powah' types.

One Mod banned, well hoora, lots more to go.

Re-read it. The user was not a moderator (i.e. "non-mod")

You've a most peculiar understanding of idiots but much less on bullying.

Well, I discuss things with several idiots here on a daily basis... *cough*

If ganging up on someone and simultaneously calling them an idiot, what is bullying?

"pointing out that they're an idiot" = justifying with examples, not just dominating by noisy put-downs. Try it sometime instead of the usual unsubstantiated ranting. Just because several people agree on a topic does not mean they're herding. It means they have the same opinion.

Tar.Aldarion

Happens to a big extent rarely, will crush upon seeing it, with bully banned.

Rb

I've never been bullied in anyways

Sonnenblumen

Karoma wrote: »

Re-read it. The user was not a moderator (i.e. "non-mod")

Well, I discuss things with several idiots here on a daily basis... *cough*

Precisely my point Mods are rarely banned but would-be arrogant bullies.

Rb

Sonnenblumen wrote: »

I know with some degree of certainty that several Mods are idiots

Of course there are some idiots who've become moderators. They don't need to be intelligent to become a moderator, all that is required is an interest or knowledge in the forum subject that they're set to moderate, which is usually found by their posting pre-moderating.

Sonnenblumen wrote:

but their sense inflated egos insist they're superior and empowered to call others idiots.

This is only a handful out of the many on Boards in fairness. And so what?If they think they're in the position to call someone an idiot, they're merely being hypocrites and anyone with the slightest intelligence will see this.

Sonnenblumen wrote:

Some will regularly offend and insult beyond their 'perceived call of duty' insisting the target idiot justifies the bullying approach.

Again, only a handful of mods here are full-time assholes. If someone acts like an idiot, and are called so by one, two, ten, twenty people, is this bullying? I'd call it stating the obvious or calling a spade a spade.

Sonnenblumen wrote:

If ganging up on someone and simultaneously calling them an idiot, what is bullying?

Depends on the context tbh.

DeVore

DeVore wrote: »

Please point me at Real Life[tm]'s Ignore feature...


BTW, I finished the Internet..... (the last guy was hard )

DeV.

Did you press Triangle and square ten times to activate the cheats?

The t'internet finally gives the bully-ee the chance at being the bully. So y'all better watch out!

Karoma

Sonnenblumen wrote: »

Precisely my point Mods are rarely banned but would-be arrogant bullies.

That was exactly your point, and you explained as:

One Mod banned, well hoora, lots more to go.

?
Now, were I to point out how idiotic that is wouldn't be bullying...

Sonnenblumen

Karoma wrote: »

That was exactly your point, and you explained as:

?
Now, were I to point out how idiotic that is wouldn't be bullying...

You might be super-intelligent but really super-sensitive ! Pedantic bully most definitely!!
What shampoo do you use?

I got it the first time, Mods aren't idiots (well and according to Mods) it's non-Mods that get the bans.

Poor little folk, when will we ever learn.

Karoma

I'm not sensitive.
Stop calling me sensitive.
POST REPORTED!


Seriously, I didn't call anyone an idiot. I certainly didn't generalise and call all non-mods idiots. I think there are plenty of idiots in the mod group. I may have implied that you are a bit of an idiot but that's backed up with reasoning and replying to your idiotic posts - that's neither sensitivity nor bullying.

Sir Digby Chicken Caesar

FIGHT THE POWA!!!!

legend

OMG! Nazi Mods!

Sonnenblumen

Karoma wrote: »

I may have implied that you are a bit of an idiot but that's backed up with reasoning and replying to your idiotic posts - that's neither sensitivity nor bullying.

No it's a philistine view of a much maligned form of posting.

Don't you love the way some people use these words to try and make themselves seem smarter, but just end up making themselves look like idiots.

High five!

Dennis the Stone

Oh please can I post my retarded pic?

Sir Digby Chicken Caesar

if you don't mind being banned

Sonnenblumen

High Five popular in Galway? How novel?

Rb

Sonnenblumen wrote: »

No it's a philistine view of a much maligned form of posting.

Lol, good strategy.

"Omgz he just called me an idiot!Quick!Use smart sounding words, that'll learn him!!!"

Dennis the Stone

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c94/dennisandchips/roflbot-fIUz.jpg

Something something BURT WARD!

Sonnenblumen

Sonnenblumen wrote: »

High Five popular in Galway? How novel?

Ah, great. You're trying to make yourself seem smarter and yet you lose all of your creativity with your retorts.

Stupid is as stupid does.