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The Internet is the new frontier for ... cyber bullying?

It isn't surprising when kids bully one another on the school playground for lunch money and entertainment, but now millions of children are using the internet as a new hunting ground to torment one another.  Internet users ranging from kids who are five years up old up to teenagers now face a growing threat of being tormented online, and the problem is quickly spiraling out of control, internet safety firms report.

"Cyber-bullying is when one child or teen targets another for embarrassment, humiliation, fear, blackmail. Something designed to hurt the other using an interactive technology," Security, privacy and cyberspace lawyer Parry Aftab, who also operates the WiredSafety organization.  "That's made a big difference because kids have learned that they can use the internet as a weapon."

Aside from the occasional virtual world account hijacking that kids seem to enjoy  carrying out on a fellow user's MySpace account, one in five children between the ages of five and 15 admit to cyber bullying while using social networking site.  On average, one in five children openly admitted to tormenting someone their own age while using a virtual world or social networking web site.

A report compiled by the research firm Garlik indicates one in three children tried online bullying for fun while one in seven said they did it because taunting over the Internet is safer and easier than doing so in real life.

"Young people see the internet as a new playground with no rules where no-one knows who they are. If you put children in a playground with no rules than you will get this kind of thing going on," said Tom Ilube, Garlik chief executive.

Social networking site Bebo is attempting to battle back against online bullies after a teenager hung himself because he was tormented for liking "emo" music.  The 13-year old child from the United Kingdom was abused for months before finally committing suicide -- his parents learned of the cyber attacks after checking his Bebo account.  Sam Leeson's suicide led Bebo to work with several mental health and social health organizations to help create guidelines to better protect children from cyber bullying, and help them if they have been bullied.  

Cyber bullying allows kids to not only attack one another anonymously, but the children who likely wouldn't be able to bully others at school are given the opportunity to turn the tables and use the Internet to assault each other.  

Schools across the country are beginning to launch programs to educate their students about online safety and the threat of possible bullying from peers.  Parents also are being warned that cyber bullying is a serious problem that simply isn't harmless fun, and it should be stopped immediately when discovered.

For parents who want to help protect their younger children from possible bullying, sites such as KidZui offer more than 600,00 different web sites that are viewed and approved by volunteer parents and teachers.  There are no built-in e-mail, chat rooms or instant messengers, which means the children will not be able to openly communicate with one another.  KidZui users can have friend lists where they are able to show each other different web sites, but cannot communicate.

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Sticks and stones...
By jonmcc33 on 7/7/2008 8:04:48 AM , Rating: 5
Kids need to learn that words are just that and mean nothing. Been on the internet long enough to see plenty of people trying it out. It's good to just laugh them off. They probably have issues at home anyway.

What you really have to worry about are those that take it out in person, like that one girl recently that got ganged up on by a bunch of other girls for what she said on MySpace.




RE: Sticks and stones...
By Lexda on 7/7/2008 8:12:30 AM , Rating: 4
I view it as a sort of "natural selection." If some online text really fraks up your world, well, you've got more problems than is healthy. You either get help, or you clear the way for people that aren't, y'know, completely fragile.

And seriously, I wonder where all of this was when I was testing the waters on the 'net...Been seriously online maybe five years, and aside from the occasional forum troll and flash game hacker, I don't think I have ever been cyberbullied. Maybe I just need to hook up on more random social networking sites.


RE: Sticks and stones...
By FITCamaro on 7/7/2008 8:38:46 AM , Rating: 5
quote:
Maybe I just need to hook up on more random social networking sites.


No. You don't.

And kids today are just weaker than they used to be. Growing up I got made fun of. Did I kill myself or anyone else? No. I learned to ignore the idiots and they eventually go away.

Bullies feed off attention. They're sad, pathetic individuals inside and need to make fun of others to feel better about themselves. Take away their fun by ignoring them and they just become that sad, pathetic individual.

If anyone is to blame, its the parents. They obviously don't take an active enough roll in their kids lives to teach them this stuff. Or listen to them when they want to talk about it.


RE: Sticks and stones...
By FaceMaster on 7/7/08, Rating: -1
RE: Sticks and stones...
By FITCamaro on 7/7/2008 9:11:18 AM , Rating: 5
Yes I'm really old at 25. I grew up at the dawn of the internet yes. And I was speaking of both people my own age as kids and prior.

Times have changed. In the past teachers could punish kids who misbehaved. Other students could keep bullies in line. Now everything has to be all touchy, feely crap and god forbid a teacher yell at student. Or make them feel bad.

Kids undoubtedly have more access to technology. But I still think they're weaker. Because they're not taught to deal with shit anymore.


RE: Sticks and stones...
By FaceMaster on 7/7/2008 9:19:39 AM , Rating: 2
I was bullied like HELL in secondary school. I thought that was what life was like from then on. Those who are bullied have it tougher than ever in my opinion, because of those who DON'T get disciplined.


RE: Sticks and stones...
By retrospooty on 7/7/2008 9:32:45 AM , Rating: 3
"Yes I'm really old at 25. "

Wow... that really trips me out. Based on the values you express in alot of your other posts I would have guessed you are in your late 40's or 50's if not even older. I almost cant believe you are 25.


RE: Sticks and stones...
By FITCamaro on 7/7/2008 9:34:31 AM , Rating: 2
Not sure if you're being sarcastic or not.


RE: Sticks and stones...
By retrospooty on 7/7/2008 9:36:29 AM , Rating: 2
Not at all... I swear, I thought you were an old man.
LOL


RE: Sticks and stones...
By Master Kenobi (blog) on 7/7/2008 9:38:49 AM , Rating: 5
Proof that age is still utterly irrelevent when it comes to social issues, mindsets, and life in general.


RE: Sticks and stones...
By FITCamaro on 7/7/2008 10:09:54 AM , Rating: 3
Guess it's hard for some people to imagine young adults having conservative values in today's world. And not buying into the crap the media spews out of its @$$.


RE: Sticks and stones...
By retrospooty on 7/7/2008 10:23:15 AM , Rating: 1
"Guess it's hard for some people to imagine young adults having conservative values in today's world"

Yup... there goes my hope for a better future ;)

But seriously, its not all us vs them, lib vs con, and the media is all full of crap. It wasn't really your conservatism that made me think you were old. it was your us vs. them devisive attitude, and inability to see the other side has SOME valid points that made me feel you were old.

Not starting any arguments or bad intentions... just food for thought I hope.


RE: Sticks and stones...
By FITCamaro on 7/7/2008 10:41:02 AM , Rating: 3
They have some valid points. Then they roll them in garbage and set them on fire.

But yes to me, it is us vs. them. They want the country to go in one direction. I want it to go in another. I see no middle ground that leads to a better future.

It's like a bunny and a wolf trying to compromise as the wolf tries to eat the bunny. "Do you really need all 4 legs? Or this chunk of your mid-section?"


RE: Sticks and stones...
By retrospooty on 7/7/2008 11:40:38 AM , Rating: 2
Thats exactly it... There will be no better anything without compromise... What happens now is one extreme to the other.

after the country was considerably fed up with CLinton and his shenanigans - Bush and the ultra conservatives took over and look at the giant mess they made of our country and international standing, weak dollar caused by record deficits etc etc... Now we are poised to go back to the other extreme because people are fed up with the horrible mess conservatives made.

You cant see our country as a wolf eating a bunny... Try this, its a left brain and right brain battling for control of the body. If they cant cooperate and find middle ground neither will get anywhere, just flailing around wildly.


RE: Sticks and stones...
By FITCamaro on 7/7/2008 12:26:49 PM , Rating: 3
Actually I view Bush as the middle ground. Because he really hasn't stuck much to conservative principles. I prefer him over Clinton though(I really don't give a rats @$$ about what the world thinks of the United States).

I would love to see someone like Ron Paul in office. A bit isolationist perhaps. But honestly I'm tired of us giving a crap about what happens in other parts of the world and people hating us for it. So f*ck'em. Americans for America. Let the almighty and all knowing UN deal with things for a few decades. Without US participation. We'll see how long they last.


RE: Sticks and stones...
By retrospooty on 7/7/2008 12:47:38 PM , Rating: 2
I have to agree with you there too... I really like every single thing I have heard Ron Paul say. He makes total sense, in a down to earth realistic way. Too bad no-one listens. I remember the recent debates where McCain and Romney were just rolling thier eyes when he spoke. f'd up man.


RE: Sticks and stones...
By Solandri on 7/7/2008 1:27:32 PM , Rating: 1
I heartily recommend any Ron Paul supporters read up on some macroeconomics. A lot of what Ron Paul advocates makes perfect sense at an individual level, but is very dangerous at a national level. What he says makes perfect sense in microeconomics - the type of economics that affect you and me in day to day monetary transactions. But macroeconomics - the economics of national and world economies - often works backwards from the way you'd expect based on microeconomics.

e.g. If you fall into hard economic times, you need to cut back on your expenses to get through. Fewer movies, don't go as far for vacation, don't eat out as often, maybe even cut down the amount you eat. That's the microeconomics response that works best for an individual trying to make it through tough times.

But for a national government, the best response is actually to loosen the purse strings. Go into deficit spending to fund work projects and offer financial handouts (subsidies and incentives) to try to get the economy jump started. That's the macroeconomics response - if times are bad, spend more and tax less; if times are good, spend less or even try to make them bad (so they don't become too good and everything comes crashing down).


RE: Sticks and stones...
By FITCamaro on 7/7/2008 2:01:04 PM , Rating: 3
No because then you're only prolonging the inevitable. The cycle goes up and down. Trying to prevent it from going down naturally only makes it crash worse when it finally does. As we're seeing now. Of course a lot of whats happening now is because of a lack of common sense and a lack of responsibility.

People think the government should bail them out of a tough spot. "I signed a bad loan and can't pay it. Help me big brother!" No you should lose your home and learn your lesson. No good has ever come from someone hiding the harsh realities of life from someone else.

I've made some stupid decisions in life. But I'm living with them. Luckily none have bit me in the ass too hard, but some have definitely sucked.


RE: Sticks and stones...
By Solandri on 7/7/2008 2:25:09 PM , Rating: 2
quote:
No because then you're only prolonging the inevitable. The cycle goes up and down. Trying to prevent it from going down naturally only makes it crash worse when it finally does. As we're seeing now. Of course a lot of whats happening now is because of a lack of common sense and a lack of responsibility.

Cycles are not inevitable. There's an entire branch of engineering and mathematics (control systems, and the Laplace domain) devoted to predicting and controlling systems. As it turns out, whether a system is periodic (cyclical) or steady state is just a function of some parameters. If you tweak the parameters the right way, you can turn a periodic system into a steady state system, or vice versa.

Of course whether or not economist know, understand, and control enough to be able to properly tweak these parameters to eliminate cycles is another matter.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Control_systems_engin...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laplace_transform


RE: Sticks and stones...
By FITCamaro on 7/7/2008 3:09:15 PM , Rating: 2
Are you seriously comparing math and science to an economy? If you'd like to though, I challenge you to try and control mathematically all the individuals in the world that represent free radicals to that equation.


RE: Sticks and stones...
By Solandri on 7/7/2008 3:36:38 PM , Rating: 2
No, I'm just saying that cycles are not inevitable. If they can be controlled and eliminated in one domain, it stands to reason they can be controlled and eliminated in another.

Whether or not we have the insight and capability to control and eliminate them in the domain of economics is an entirely different matter, as I already stated.


RE: Sticks and stones...
By EricMartello on 7/10/2008 12:45:59 AM , Rating: 2
quote:
Are you seriously comparing math and science to an economy?


^^ That's sig-worthy material you got there. :D

Are you so sure that individuals are "free radicals"? People are hardly as diverse as they like to believe they are. Most people are predictable to the point where mathematical formulas are more than sufficient for making predictions of their actions or behavior. Sure it's not 100%, but it's close enough!


RE: Sticks and stones...
By glitchc on 7/7/2008 1:09:31 PM , Rating: 1
See how well America functions by ignoring the rest of the world. Economies are increasingly turning global. If you think America can survive for long on resources found on its own land, feel free.

I think it's time you accepted the fact that America interferes with other countries because it could not survive any other way. It needs the resources to maintain the lifestyle that Americans (and Canadians) have taken for granted.

It must suck not to have the world's largest standing army anymore, or even the world's strongest economy, but that's the nature of the game. No empire lasts forever, and compared to past empires in history, America with its < 100 years of superiority, is barely a footnote. Sour grapes are all I taste in your post.

The axiom of evolution best presents the case: Either adapt or die.


RE: Sticks and stones...
By Master Kenobi (blog) on 7/7/2008 1:28:01 PM , Rating: 2
quote:
It must suck not to have the world's largest standing army anymore

We never had the worlds largest standing army. Russia, China, and a few other countries have always had larger. We do however have the worlds strongest army. In a stand up fight we would easily annihilate anyone who stood in our way.

quote:
or even the world's strongest economy

If I recall the last chart showed the U.S. economy still the largest in the world. (European Union is still not yet 1 economy)


RE: Sticks and stones...
By Solandri on 7/7/2008 2:16:23 PM , Rating: 2
The EU has been #1 for a few years now, if you choose to group them all as one.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_...

Anyhow, it's a moot point whether or not the U.S. is #1. The U.S. has been holding at about 25% of the world's GDP for the last couple decades (I think we peaked at 28% in the '80s after the U.S.S.R. collapsed). So the place ranking is really irrelevant since our fraction of the world's economy has changed very little.

If you want to turn it into a d*ck-measuring contest, the U.S. is still #1 in productivity per person, which is probably the basest form of how economically efficient a country is. The only measure we lose out on is worker productivity per hour, and we're #2 there.
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/09/03/business...


By Master Kenobi (blog) on 7/7/2008 2:52:24 PM , Rating: 2
I've heard the EU go both ways. All of the economic models still report the countries individually, but I've seen a few add them up and rank them. I'm content to leave it at that since technically the EU isn't one economy, but they are moving steadily in that direction, a few more years and they just might be.

Yea, the U.S. has been #1 in hours worked for many years now, sometimes I wonder if that is really a good thing or just a sign of how brutal American culture is. Props to the Norwegians for effeciency though.


RE: Sticks and stones...
By sporr on 7/7/2008 6:11:57 PM , Rating: 1
quote:
In a stand up fight we would easily annihilate anyone who stood in our way.


I dont think so. To say that shows your over confidence and that alone is a weakness.

Your armed forces rely heavily on technology, which in the field isn't very reliable.

During the cold war the US government were afraid of a third world war with Soviet Russia for a reason. They could just as easily lose than win.

There really isn't much difference now. Iraq was a walkover for you, because there military were poorly maintained and staffed.

Be careful how you consider fully trained and able armed forces, to say the US could easily annihilate anyone is overly confident and immature, and totally lacks strategic sense.


RE: Sticks and stones...
By mindless1 on 7/10/2008 2:09:11 AM , Rating: 2
It's not that, it's that at your young age, a mere 7 years beyond coming of legal age, you don't have enough life experience to do much more than parrot someone else's views!

Suddenly it all makes sense.


RE: Sticks and stones...
By callmeroy on 7/7/2008 10:13:01 AM , Rating: 2
Well as someone almost ten years older than FITCamaro (btw I miss my Z28 and every time I read that guy's name it reminds me of that car), I can say I fully agree with him. Today kids are ultimately weaker in terms of emotional fortitude and will power to deal with issues.

Oddly enough though I don't fully blame the kids. Life is no different than a manufacturing process for a product. The "process" and "ingredients" used during the manufacture of a product ultimately determines the quality of that product.

If a parent or guardian pays no mind to what their child does or how the child is doing in school, with friends, whatever -- you don't need a PhD (which of course means "Piled High and Deep") to say "that kid may have some issues dealing with people".

Add this to the sissyfacation of America. Have you ever seen that one commercial, I think its for a car probably Volvo, where regardless were this guy walks in the commercial the whole enrivonment around him is covered in bubble plastic wrap to keep him safe. That's kind of how America is today -- we are trying to keep everyone's feelings and personal beliefs 100% unoffended and safe. Thus the "sissy-facation" of America.

For crying out loud we are so scared to upset someone ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS come to this country and they have the same RIGHTS to due process , emergency room care, etc. as YOU do. Why? Because *tear tear* they are humans to dang nabbit.....nevermind they are here ILLEGALLY....ANYWAY...

We are so scared of being sued over any little thing, because our system of justice allows folks to file the silliest of cases, that more and more people ignore other people in need of help or defense simply because "they want to stay out of it".

We are hypocrits mainly though and I think that is the biggest weakness we have collectively as a nation. Our government sends more mixed signals than just about any other source on the planet.

I'm not going to make this huge post even longer by posting example after example but I assure you , one need only pay attention and observe -- read the news and then I challenge you to NOT notice some form of hypocrisy.

Life isn't fair, sure enough -- but can't we as a society at least PRETEND to be more fair to each other?


RE: Sticks and stones...
By FITCamaro on 7/7/2008 10:16:22 AM , Rating: 2
quote:
btw I miss my Z28


I miss both of mine too. :(

But we got a hot new Camaro coming out next year. :)


RE: Sticks and stones...
By Nyamekye on 7/7/2008 10:26:51 AM , Rating: 2
Hmm, I'm not sure if that was a rant or something else... hmm...


RE: Sticks and stones...
By retrospooty on 7/7/2008 11:44:54 AM , Rating: 2
"Well as someone almost ten years older than FITCamaro (btw I miss my Z28 and every time I read that guy's name it reminds me of that car), I can say I fully agree with him."

I agree too (on this subject of mushy overprotected kids) and am 12 years older than him... Only I don't miss my Z28 much... I do miss being violently pushed back into my seat when hit the gas (miss that a lot)- but dont miss the monthly repairs haha.


RE: Sticks and stones...
By akugami on 7/7/2008 3:23:34 PM , Rating: 2
I absolutely hate the touchy feel politically correct crap. I think more than anything it is the fault of the parents and if they weren't such idiots who can't teach their children, we wouldn't be in this situation.

I've seen parents fight and argue with teachers when teachers discipline children who are either being nasty or otherwise unruly. I think our teachers today are underpaid as it is, but to have parents insult and fight with teachers who are trying to teach kids how to do the right thing is beyond ridiculous.

I also agree that today's children are to a degree sissies in many way. Society tries to shelter them to such a degree that the slightest insult is all it takes to make them go off the deep end. I do not agree with bullying and things of that nature but if your child hasn't been taught and isn't thick skinned enough to handle a little ribbing then you as a parent need to step up and admit you F'ed up.

I am a legal immigrant (now a naturalized citizen). I do not agree with them being able to send their kids to school, and collect other social services. This should be given to tax paying citizens and legal immigrants. Law abiding people who pay taxes which pay for these services. I think it is wrong, and you see this especially in the Asian (of which I am a member) and Latino communities, to fight for services for illegal immigrants. When the government itself caves in to these types of demands for illegal immigrants who have no right to be in the USA then is it really hard to imagine the sissy-fication of the youths of today?


RE: Sticks and stones...
By EricMartello on 7/10/2008 12:53:30 AM , Rating: 2
quote:
For crying out loud we are so scared to upset someone ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS come to this country and they have the same RIGHTS to due process , emergency room care, etc. as YOU do. Why? Because *tear tear* they are humans to dang nabbit.....nevermind they are here ILLEGALLY....ANYWAY...


Good thing Americans were all originally here and didn't immigrate from European countries.

Because it is "illegal" for them to be here, it is somehow wrong? I don't think we need more social parasites, be they domestic or imports, but a lot of these illegal aliens that you believe deserve sub-human status do work hard and earn a living. Most of the free-loaders we have in this country are people who were born and raised here...

Most aliens don't spend their waking hours doing non-productive things like making big posts on a news website - they don't have time because they're actually working. :)


RE: Sticks and stones...
By FITCamaro on 7/7/2008 10:04:59 AM , Rating: 3
I get that a lot. When I start working somewhere or meet new people, they typically think I'm older than I am. When I started working where I am now, people thought I was at/close to 30 despite being only 23.


RE: Sticks and stones...
RE: Sticks and stones...
By FITCamaro on 7/7/2008 10:42:00 AM , Rating: 2
RE: Sticks and stones...
By Master Kenobi (blog) on 7/7/2008 11:28:35 AM , Rating: 2
Agreed, the A-10 is a fantastic piece of machinery. It's feared by hostile ground forces everywhere for good reason.


RE: Sticks and stones...
By FITCamaro on 7/7/2008 12:23:07 PM , Rating: 2
Gotta love field trips at work.....err....I mean....team building events.....yes....thats it....


RE: Sticks and stones...
By Noya on 7/7/2008 9:26:24 PM , Rating: 2
I was expecting someone a little more FIT :p.

You ride or just where those for looks?


RE: Sticks and stones...
By sgw2n5 on 7/7/2008 11:54:22 AM , Rating: 2
You say that your sick of hearing, and subsequently ignore, all of the crap MSM spews, but considering that you have such a divisive, us vs. them attitude... how are you not a product of MSM?

/staunch libertarian here, but willing to at least consider the other sides of the argument.


RE: Sticks and stones...
By FITCamaro on 7/7/2008 12:13:46 PM , Rating: 2
MSM?


RE: Sticks and stones...
By sgw2n5 on 7/7/2008 12:26:27 PM , Rating: 2
mainstream media. (the likes of CNN/MSNBC/ABC/CBS, and yes, even FOXNEWS)


RE: Sticks and stones...
By FITCamaro on 7/7/2008 12:28:13 PM , Rating: 2
I don't watch any of them. I read fox news online. But I really don't form opinions based off their news. I agree with their views a lot, but not always.


RE: Sticks and stones...
By FITCamaro on 7/7/2008 12:29:36 PM , Rating: 2
PS - Sane people hate acronyms.


RE: Sticks and stones...
By sgw2n5 on 7/7/2008 12:47:16 PM , Rating: 2
Acronyms such as "PS" ?

:D


RE: Sticks and stones...
By FITCamaro on 7/7/2008 12:51:34 PM , Rating: 2
*hangs head*

You win.


RE: Sticks and stones...
By DASQ on 7/7/2008 12:24:20 PM , Rating: 2
Me too. In person, people think I'm high 20's despite being newly 22.

Online, people think I'm about high 30's, early 40's.


RE: Sticks and stones...
By Chaser on 7/7/2008 1:05:28 PM , Rating: 2
I cannot help but agree. I have read some of your posts for a long time, and you take a very conservative stance on most everything. Camaro you are not 25.


RE: Sticks and stones...
By FITCamaro on 7/7/2008 1:44:01 PM , Rating: 2
Well believe what you want. I really could care less. Scroll up for a link to a picture of me with an A10. I sure as hell ain't 40. Many people think I'm older than I am looking at me. But its 28-29 tops.


RE: Sticks and stones...
By JonnyDough on 7/7/2008 6:32:43 PM , Rating: 2
Ahh, to be 25 again. :-) Where did those years go? When you get to be 28 you feel you were really stupid when you were 25. When you're 25 you feel as though you were really stupid when you were 21. People just don't give enough credit to a person's age and experience. Everyone is a know it all.


RE: Sticks and stones...
By abzillah on 7/7/2008 1:40:51 PM , Rating: 2
Kids are not weaker today. Come to my neighborhood and you'll get your ass kicked by some little kids. All the cyber bullying is done on social networks by kids who live very near each other. Instead of doing the bullying out at the park or at school, it is done on the net, because the social scene has changed from these areas to the net. The kid that is bullied very likely lives very near the bully.
Most of us here on Dailytech are from all over the world and we don't know anyone from our community that may be on dailytech.


RE: Sticks and stones...
By FITCamaro on 7/7/2008 1:48:35 PM , Rating: 2
What does physical prowess have to do with emotional maturity or mental stability? Which is what we're talking about.


RE: Sticks and stones...
By JonnyDough on 7/7/2008 6:39:56 PM , Rating: 2
quote:
Come to my neighborhood and you'll get your ass kicked by some little kids.


I highly doubt that. I'm 6'7" and grew up in the 80's in a pretty strict home. As a young boy I lived off of a gravel road in the country and I learned how to work hard. Aside from that I'm adopted and have faced death in the face many times. I've had stitches three times and a couple of broken bones. I don't get nervous or stupid around gorgeous women like I've seen men older and younger than me do. When it comes to a small band of a punk kids I could run through them with my elbows out and my knees punching upward. All I'd have to do is yell at them up close and put my hands on the big leader of the pack and the rest would scatter. It might be that someone like you is under 6' and 21 years old, but the only thing that scares me anymore is my daughter getting hurt. Once you have kids and have hit rock bottom a few times you don't really fear dying or having to watch anyone else die, except your children.

Becoming a parent changes a lot about who you are and what you do. If it doesn't, you're probably not suited (mature enough) to be one.


RE: Sticks and stones...
By DeathSniper on 7/8/2008 4:07:18 AM , Rating: 2
It's called the "bubble-wrap" and "me-first" syndrome of Gen Y.


RE: Sticks and stones...
By PWNettle on 7/7/2008 2:18:15 PM , Rating: 2
Dude, you're talking about kids, who are often a bit innocent when young and not prepared to deal with abuse.

Personally I don't blame the bullies if they exist. I blame the parents all around. Don't spawn if you can't raise a kid - and it goes both ways - if you can teach your children to behave, then don't spawn. If you can't manage how your kids use online resources (to avoid predators, etc) then don't let them online or don't breed.

"And seriously, I wonder where all of this was when I was testing the waters on the 'net...Been seriously online maybe five years, and aside from the occasional forum troll and flash game hacker, I don't think I have ever been cyberbullied. Maybe I just need to hook up on more random social networking sites."

I'd consider myself a heavy internet/web user but the kinds of resources I use aren't that social, so I rarely encounter cyber-idiocy that way - I only get abused by it daily in WoW or other MMORPGs.

Kids today are texting, sending video, visiting spam laiden social networking sites, and have massive exposure to idiots, or worse, predators, hiding behind the anonymous nature of the internet.

But, kids only have access to this if parents provide it, and if parents are going to provide it, they ought to be knowledgeable about it themselves and knowing what their kids are up to. The web is wide open and unpoliced so parents need to take responsibility for what their kids are doing on it.


RE: Sticks and stones...
By Polynikes on 7/7/2008 2:32:53 PM , Rating: 2
I'm guessing they count trolling and flame wars as "cyber-bullying" in this report.

Heck, you could count getting killed in a game (like Diablo 2) for no reason by a higher level character who just wants to ruin people's game an instance of "cyber-bullying."


RE: Sticks and stones...
By Some1ne on 7/7/2008 4:20:59 PM , Rating: 4
quote:
I don't think I have ever been cyberbullied.


You emo-music loving tool. You should be ashamed of yourself.


RE: Sticks and stones...
By HrilL on 7/7/2008 4:36:49 PM , Rating: 2
I do see it happening all the time and its not just the kids do it. Every age group is doing it. Adults just do it in a more complex way. But that's not always the case. What about that women that tormented a teenage girl that killed herself. http://www.dailytech.com/Neighbor+Indicted+in+Mega...

clearly our country has plenty of people that need some help.

While I would like to see some proven statistics that show that more kids/teens/adults are committing suicide more often due to the internet. I still tend to believe that these are the same people that would have done it sooner or later had the internet not been a part of their lives.


RE: Sticks and stones...
By AlexWade on 7/7/2008 8:38:32 AM , Rating: 3
This cyberbulling is not recent. I remember reading an article at least a year ago about girls ruining other girls on the internet by gossiping. Some girls developed serious emotional problems. Lets not forget about the message board trolls and fanboys.

The real question is: where are the parents? A parent should never let a child, yes even a teenager, use a computer in private. Parents need to be parents first.


RE: Sticks and stones...
By Lexda on 7/7/2008 1:12:59 PM , Rating: 2
Ok, your last point I don't agree with. I am 17, and the fact that my parents trust me enough to "use a computer in private" has most definitely contributed to my current state of being, and I would like to think I am better for it.

No, totalitarian control over the internet is not the way to do it. Kids have to experiment. As lame as it sounds, I have learned some measure of social skill from being set loose on the internet (not the least of which being if you're an asshole, someone will ban your ass). Having a parent over the shoulder can't teach that.

What has to happen is some combination of increased monitoring, and increased guidelines. Y'know, the standard "Never release your information online" stuff. You have to scare kids straight in the beginning (like I was; now it's no big deal if my name comes out, but at first I was petrified of the thought), and let them develop ways to exist online on their own.

People have mentioned the "sissification of America," I believe it was. That's due solely to our lack of willingness to let kids make mistakes. You can't learn just by seeing what is right; you have to do it the wrong way to learn why that way doesn't work. It's like with a hot stove: tell a kid all you want to not touch it, but they won't believe you until they burn themselves. The job of the parents is to make sure that kids never burn themselves beyond repair. If we step up monitoring to the level where kids never have a chance to explore the internet jungle on their own, said "sissification" will only increase, twofold. And once these kids get out into the real world, where their parents can't protect them, what'll happen? Will they magically learn the skills they need? I doubt it.


RE: Sticks and stones...
By Solandri on 7/7/2008 1:44:39 PM , Rating: 2
quote:
People have mentioned the "sissification of America," I believe it was. That's due solely to our lack of willingness to let kids make mistakes. You can't learn just by seeing what is right; you have to do it the wrong way to learn why that way doesn't work.

Safety nets are supposed to catch you when you fall. Somehow they've been turned into things that prevent you from ever falling in the first place.

The only thing I would add is that it's not quite as simple as you put it. Every kid is different. There is no one-size-fits-all solution. Unfortunately, our current educational system and social structure tries to run every kid through the same cookie-cutter solution. You make a keen observation for your age - some kids would do better under looser controls and more self reliance. But other kids would do worse. The trick is coming up with one system which addresses the needs of the entire range of kids.


RE: Sticks and stones...
By Lexda on 7/7/2008 1:52:05 PM , Rating: 2
I agree with you completely. This is a point where I accept my age: I don't know what the proper solution is; I'll have to leave that up to those who are better informed, who have had more experience in the area.


RE: Sticks and stones...
By Solandri on 7/7/2008 2:38:17 PM , Rating: 2
Hate to break it to you, but we adults don't know what the proper solution is either. ;) We just throw a bunch of different solutions at the wall and hope one of them sticks. And you have to watch out for those with an agenda who try to hold their favored solution up on the wall with strings while loudly proclaiming "look, it sticks!"


RE: Sticks and stones...
By 4play on 7/7/2008 2:54:40 PM , Rating: 2
Why shouldn't kids use a computer in private? Do you need someone watching over your children 27/7? When kids hang-out after school the parents usually aren't there; it's the same on the computer, except they cannot be physically harmed.

I know a person who lived a completely sheltered life because his parents constantly watched over him, he is also the biggest loser I know. Coincidence?


RE: Sticks and stones...
By FITCamaro on 7/7/2008 3:10:52 PM , Rating: 2
Ever hear of monitoring software? I know I plan to use it. Don't plan to let them know it though.


RE: Sticks and stones...
By 4play on 7/7/2008 9:23:29 PM , Rating: 2
Kids obviously shouldn't have a right to privacy, am I right?


RE: Sticks and stones...
By Myg on 7/7/2008 11:42:03 AM , Rating: 2
No; kids need to learn that words are powerful and should be careful with them. Teaching them that "they mean nothing" will make things worse.


RE: Sticks and stones...
By MRwizard on 7/8/2008 12:33:06 AM , Rating: 2
Man, i wish i hadn't posted so soon. I completely agree with what you are saying. Words are powerful. And if they meant nothing why the hell do we use words?
And in case you don't actually believe what im telling you, here is a couple of ideas
http://www.h2omwater.com/

for further evidence
http://www.life-enthusiast.com/twilight/research_e...

OK, i know im just talking about water hear, but this is thought suggestive.


RE: Sticks and stones...
By MRwizard on 7/8/2008 12:18:34 AM , Rating: 2
quote:
need to learn that words are just that and mean nothing


Thats not right, words are just as real as anything else. words are very powerful as there is a feeling behind each and every word. Like it or not


Safe zone
By FaceMaster on 7/7/2008 7:59:43 AM , Rating: 5
At least there isn't anybody like that on Dailytech...




RE: Safe zone
By Spivonious on 7/7/2008 9:37:27 AM , Rating: 2
I saw FaceMaster kissing Jason Mick. ZOMG!!


RE: Safe zone
By SavagePotato on 7/7/2008 10:20:05 AM , Rating: 2
Do tell, I saw Jason Mick kissing Steve Jobs' ass. Oh nevermind everyone sees that on a regular basis.


RE: Safe zone
By 325hhee on 7/7/2008 9:44:46 AM , Rating: 1
quote:
At least there isn't anybody like that on Dailytech...


ROFLMAO, too true, especially when it comes to Nvidia and Intel fanboyisms. But back to the case and points, yes children are WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY too pampered these days, whether it's home schooling, PC learning, way too much time in front of the TV or X-Box, etc.

Growing up, there was little of that going on, yes I had an Atari 2600, but stay on it for more than an hour, the TV would shut, with an angry parent look. I used to also be one of those school bullies, then again, who on the football team wasn't, we were kings. Of course I grew out of it, but I did learn things the hard way when I was young.

Back then, it was hard core, you did something wrong, out comes the belt, and these days, some nosey neighbor, or some idiot walking down the street would call child services on you. What kind of crap is that, I like old school discipline, it put children in their place, and look what we have now, lazy, stupid kids, who has no respect for their parents, and utter profanities at the age of 10, using F words and S words, etc. You'd think the parent would slap their child senseless for saying those things. They can't, and it shouldn't be this way at all. If I even thought about doing that in front of my parents, I'd think twice, or it's 5 across the eyes for me.

This society has become so weak, it's no wonder 9/11 happened, and how long did it take to retaliate? 2-3 months? What happened to the days of dropping a bomb, on a country that attacked us? This country gives a bit too much freedom, activists pisses me off, and they're all hypocrites, the celebrity activists are the worst of them all, they just need to shut up.

And it makes me sad when I look at the state of the future NFL players, these kids in School don't have the same pride as I did when I was on the football team, it's more like, we'll take whatever kids we can get. They're all in sad shape, over weight, obese, non athletic, yet they can nail me from 2 virtual miles away on call of duty.

We have lazy parents, and some people that just shouldn't be parents. I still wonder why some people have kids, when they don't give a damn what they're doing. Is it a trophy? Do they have them, because it's what's expected from society? Sad, I don't have kids, and don't want any, I have nephews and nieces, that are as good as having my own, and I keep them in check and discipline. Then know when I'm watching them, it's like being in boot camp, we'll have fun, but anyone utters an F word in front of me is not even an option. No one gets out of hand, and absolutely no one is going to run up and down the street, mall, stores like a moron, they know that's only in the parks. It pisses me off when a parent gives me a dirty look for giving their kid a foot sweep, when their kids runs around the mall without looking. I tell them, control your kids, this is a high traffic area, worse things can happen. Like me flipping them off 3 stories, so be lucky they only tripped and fell.


RE: Safe zone
By Indianapolis on 7/7/2008 10:05:21 AM , Rating: 3
I'm sure you made some good points, but there's no way I'm going to read a post that long.


RE: Safe zone
By FITCamaro on 7/7/2008 10:14:35 AM , Rating: 2
Well said.

And I guess when I'm a parent, my kids are gonna get taken away by child services. Cause I sure as hell plan to spank them if they earn it.

Hey, just more excuse to bang the wife. "Cmon honey, we need to replace lil Johnny."


RE: Safe zone
By retrospooty on 7/7/2008 9:49:21 AM , Rating: 2
YA... whatever happened to cornfedone (and I forget his other alias) anyhow? ;)


RE: Safe zone
By Master Kenobi (blog) on 7/7/2008 9:57:03 AM , Rating: 2
We do not speak of them. =)


RE: Safe zone
By deeznuts on 7/7/2008 12:37:09 PM , Rating: 2
What'd you just say? I'd totally kick your ass in real life. Let's meet up for real!


thats the spirit
By tastyratz on 7/7/2008 8:11:51 AM , Rating: 1
quote:
or parents who want to help protect their younger children from possible bullying, sites such as KidZui offer more than 600,00 different web sites that are viewed and approved by volunteer parents and teachers. There are no built-in e-mail, chat rooms or instant messengers, which means the children will not be able to openly communicate with one another. KidZui users can have friend lists where they are able to show each other different web sites, but cannot communicate.


sounds like a plan... great idea! I like this movement... its the first step to the ultimate goal of banning talking in school. Who needs communication anyways? someone could say something bad!

These are the same parents who think everyone deserves a trophy in little league. Hey guess what, life doesn't reward you for not being the best stop screwing with them now.
They wont only talk to people who are nice to them too. Kids and adults bully. They did it since long before the internet and everyone's been there.
Cut the coddling crap. Let your kids grow up without a fantasy of the real world and stop screwing them up...
THOSE are the kids who shoot from the clock towers when reality hits.




RE: thats the spirit
By FaceMaster on 7/7/2008 8:20:28 AM , Rating: 2
A world with out human interaction. It's the only way towards world peace!


RE: thats the spirit
By AnnihilatorX on 7/7/2008 9:10:10 AM , Rating: 2
They should really just develop a special chat applet that filters extensively bad and foul languages, including forms like "suxors" or hire some moderators.


RE: thats the spirit
By FITCamaro on 7/7/2008 9:14:15 AM , Rating: 2
I just hope that by the time I have kids, they still have schools where you don't graduate from 2nd grade. I'm sick of this PC bullsh*t thats taking over schools and our society in general.

The world sucks. The sooner you teach your kid that, the faster they'll learn to survive.