Online abuse/trolling

learn_more · 19-10-2016 11:20PM #1

I have seen that in the UK there have been proposed new laws to tackle so called 'online abuse'.

http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-37601431.

I'm thinking specifically about 'anonymous abuse'. Posting hateful remarks and death threats etc, to a specific known person.

I think that opening up a personal twitter page or whatever to anyone in the world to follow and comment on is just asking for trouble. How can anyone expect to receive only 'lovely' comments and expect nasty comments to stay away, when you invite the whole world to comment. That strikes me as being extraordinarily naive.

I think that time and money spend on tracking down people who post abusive comments is a complete waste of time and public money. Rather I think the law want's further powers to 'track' everyone's online activities ostensibly to track 'online abusers' but actually to have further powers to monitor ALL of our online activities, which is an invasion of privacy.

I would suggest anyone who receives abusive comments and are hurt by it, just delete you account, and don't leave yourself open to it anymore. It's not like a twitter page is an essential part of life, or a right.

Arsemageddon · 19-10-2016 11:27PM

......and then there's fraping, that's when people are raped on Facebook.

It has to stop.

Your Face · 19-10-2016 11:27PM

Gimp.

Arcade_Tryer · 19-10-2016 11:44PM

Je Suis Skankhunt42.

Annasopra · 19-10-2016 11:52PM

Why should people who are abused be forced off the internet?

Arcade_Tryer · 19-10-2016 11:56PM

Joeytheparrot wrote: »

Why should people who are abused be forced off the internet?

Why would anyone be forced off the internet?

It's a choice whether to leave or stay. Like Brexit. Kind of.

JRant · 19-10-2016 11:58PM

Joeytheparrot wrote: »

Why should people who are abused be forced off the internet?

That's not what the OP is saying at all.

While it is unfair on people who receive this type of treatment there is an element of truth to it and it's one I will be drilling into my own kids when they're old enough. Just delete the account and start over a fresh.

Graham · 20-10-2016 12:04AM

JRant wrote: »

That's not what the OP is saying at all.

OP appears to be suggesting you should have a reasonable expectation of death threats if you use social media.

JRant · 20-10-2016 12:10AM

Graham wrote: »

OP appears to be suggesting you should have a reasonable expectation of death threats if you use social media.

I don't read it like that at all. They are just advocating using common sense. Delete the account and move on.

Graham · 20-10-2016 12:13AM

JRant wrote: »

I don't read it like that at all. They are just advocating using common sense. Delete the account and move on.

Many people don't hide behind nicknames when using social media in either a personal or professional capacity.

If someone has made threats against the account owner and/or their family then it's not likely to make them feel much safer by hiding their social media presence.

Atlantic Dawn · 20-10-2016 12:13AM

If you put any personal data up online be prepared for those who think your a gob****e as well as those who think your gods gift, live by these rules and you will be grand.

Annasopra · 20-10-2016 12:13AM

JRant wrote: »

I don't read it like that at all.

But that is pretty much what the op said:

Death threats are reasonable and shouldnt be challenged. And if someone gets death threats they should leave the internet.

Hande hoche! · 20-10-2016 12:16AM

Imagine there will be one or two amusing stories resulting from it, if implemented. People sending death treats to themselves and the likes.

JRant · 20-10-2016 12:19AM

Graham wrote: »

Many people don't hide behind nicknames when using social media in either a personal or professional capacity.

If someone has made threats against the account owner and/or their family then it's not likely to make them feel much safer by hiding their social media presence.

Outside of Facebook I would see mostly made up handles on social media accounts. It's also not a very good idea to have all your personal information out there for any gobshïte to see.

If someone receives a genuine death threat then report that account to the police and close down your own one.
Why would you continue to put yourself out there if you were genuinely worried about your safety?

JRant · 20-10-2016 12:22AM

Joeytheparrot wrote: »

But that is pretty much what the op said:

Death threats are reasonable and shouldnt be challenged. And if someone gets death threats they should leave the internet.

It's clearly not, they are just suggesting closing down a Twitter account if that happens and not to post personal information online.

Nowhere do they say to leave the internet.

learn_more · 20-10-2016 12:34AM

Joeytheparrot wrote: »

But that is pretty much what the op said:

Death threats are reasonable and shouldnt be challenged. And if someone gets death threats they should leave the internet.

Yes, that's exactly what I'm saying : )

If your going to be silly then so will I.

learn_more · 20-10-2016 12:53AM

To re-iterate my main point. If you say to the world 'here I am, say something to me'...and to expect that no one in the whole world would not say something offensive to you , is incredibly naive. What is even more naive is to take those comments seriously.

A woman will get sexist comments. A gay with get homophobic comments. An America will get Anti-America comments. An African will get ....and so on. It's ridiculous to think that would not happen. It' like complaining to the police that you've been robbed when you never bother to lock your front door in the first place.

Graham · 20-10-2016 01:00AM

learn_more wrote: »

To re-iterate my main point. If you say to the world 'here I am, say something to me'...and to expect that no one in the whole would would not say something offensive to you , is incredibly naive.

Your opening post specifically mentioned death threats, it's only now you're rowing back to suggest general unpleasant comments.

If the point you're trying to make is people using open social media shouldn't be overly sensitive, I'd agree.

When people start to receive death threats, threats of actual harm to themselves and/or their families then that's crossing a line that should be followed up.

The_Valeyard · 20-10-2016 01:00AM

We have already lost Heidi Turner and Eric Cartman. How many more!!!

tomwaterford · 20-10-2016 01:03AM

learn_more wrote: »

To re-iterate my main point. If you say to the world 'here I am, say something to me'...and to expect that no one in the whole world would not say something offensive to you , is incredibly naive. What is even more naive is to take those comments seriously.

A woman will get sexist comments. A gay with get homophobic comments. An America will get Anti-America comments. An African will get ....and so on. It's ridiculous to think that would not happen. It' like complaining to the police that you've been robbed when you never bother to lock your front door in the first place.

Its no way right though. ....as had been said those saying such negative things are just projecting their own unhappiness in life into others....

How is it right to accept such comments because someone else fcuked up there life to an extent they've to go online abusing others???

Ferrari3600 · 20-10-2016 01:04AM

Joeytheparrot wrote: »

But that is pretty much what the op said:

Death threats are reasonable and shouldnt be challenged. And if someone gets death threats they should leave the internet.

The OP has a valid argument, though he expresses it in a cack handed manner.

Do you truly and genuine think the UK laws are a model to be followed?

Police employed to watch Twitter to see if anyone says bad stuff? (And we're all paying for this, remember. It's our money, ultimately.)

And a campaign now to make the regulations even stricter?

The reality is that there are already regulations in place. Death threats, rape threats, etc on social media are already a criminal offence, and people have been prosecuted. The law is sufficient. More than sufficient, I'd argue, at least in some respects.

Son Of A Vidic · 20-10-2016 01:39AM

Arsemageddon wrote: »

......and then there's fraping, that's when people are raped on Facebook.

It has to stop.

With a username like that, I really can't think of a more appropriate poster to make that point.

Holograph · 20-10-2016 01:43AM

Sometimes there are things you cannot fight - ideally people should not be harassed online of course but as long as it is happening (and it is not easy to police) people should close their account/change their name etc to protect themselves if it really gets to them. And also, obviously not stuff as extreme and horrible as death threats, but for the much milder stuff at the other end of the spectrum, it is worth trying to ignore/develop a thicker skin and rising above it.

learn_more · 20-10-2016 01:57AM

Graham wrote: »

Your opening post specifically mentioned death threats, it's only now you're rowing back to suggest general unpleasant comments.

If the point you're trying to make is people using open social media shouldn't be overly sensitive, I'd agree.

When people start to receive death threats, threats of actual harm to themselves and/or their families then that's crossing a line that should be followed up.

No I am not rowing back at all. I include death threats and any other threats you care to imagine. I only used death threats as an example.

pragmatic1 · 20-10-2016 05:09AM

I cannot fathom how anyone would get upset by what some anonymous nobody on the internet says. If people are that thin skinned, how do they cope in the real world.

I'm completely opposed to any attack on internet freedom and everyone should be. The internet has become a great leveller in the world and I'd say that fact worries certain people in power.

Anesthetize · 20-10-2016 06:28AM

Abuse and trolling are not the same thing. Trolling can be an art form when done properly.

Winterlong · 20-10-2016 06:30AM

Anesthetize wrote: »

Abuse and trolling are not the same thing. Trolling can be an art form when done properly.

And trolling is more fun too.

Annasopra · 20-10-2016 06:41AM

learn_more wrote: »

No I am not rowing back at all. I include death threats and any other threats you care to imagine. I only used death threats as an example.

So you are saying death threats are acceptable then

Anesthetize · 20-10-2016 07:09AM

Winterlong wrote: »

And trolling is more fun too.

Google Ken M.

tritium · 20-10-2016 07:52AM

Joeytheparrot wrote: »

Why should people who are abused be forced off the internet?

Je suis Thunderf00t?

Je suis the Fine Young Capitalists?

20-10-2016 08:16AM

There have been prosecution in the UK for online abuse, in one of the first cases to go to court, it turned out the perpetrators were a mentally ill woman who took selfies with well known landmarks near the court as if she was a on a day out, and a man who has issues with woman and appeared to be motivated by getting likes for his opinions.

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/twitter-trolls-isabella-sorley-and-john-nimmo-jailed-for-abusing-feminist-campaigner-caroline-criado-9083829.html

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/law-and-order/11627180/Five-internet-trolls-a-day-convicted-in-UK-as-figures-show-ten-fold-increase.html

Online abuse/trolling

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