Haters Hiding Behind a Keyboard
Submitted by Tina on Wed, 04/07/2010 - 07:02.
Hacker: A person who uses a computer system without a specific, constructive purpose or without proper authorization. From Sci-Tech Dictionary
Monday I used Twitter to vent, "#iwishicould shock hackers who sabotage my blog (leave crude messages) with a strong electric current. A really high voltage, painful current." This is a diversion from my usual tweeting habit in that it's a little harsh. Still, it isn't as harsh as bypassing my security and leaving behind nasty messages for my blog visitors. Being "hacked" leaves you with a feeling of violation and humiliation. And don't even get me started on those who post bogus links to other sites. The problem is spreading in epidemic proportions and leaves the victims with little recourse. I delete the unsolicited post, block the user, and curse them knowing that they'll be back soon. Of course, this minor embarrassment for me pales in comparison to the onslaught of more serious cybercrimes such as cyberbullies attacking vulnerable teenagers.
The relentless campaign to harass high school student Phoebe Prince has been in the news recently. This young girl faced unmerciful bullying on Facebook and in the halls of the Massachusetts' South Hadley High School. The repeated insults, like many other victims of cyberbulling, drove her to commit suicide. The most loathsome part of stories like this is the number of people that get involved in this kind of behavior (like animals going in for the kill) and the fact that some of the culprits are often adults! Tina Meier, whose 14-year-old daughter committed suicide after being verbally accosted in the social media, discovered it was the MOTHER of her child's rival who was responsible for the conspiracy. Posing as an interested admirer online, who set her up only to humiliate her in the end.
Bullying is an age-old problem and the modern tools that allow bullies to perpetrate anonymously have exacerbated the problem. I believe parents are part of the solution. But when parents and other small minded adults are encouraging, underestimating the severity, or involved in such rogue acts, I don't know what the solution is. Public awareness I suppose. Anyone have any thoughts on this issue?
I Agree
I read your post, and I agree. We used to underestimate the threat of school violence until that literally blew up in our faces. We have to take cyberbullying just as seriously. Parents can't afford to underestimate this behavior and must act as advocates for their children. Schools have to do their parts and let kids know that this type behavior is unacceptable. More than that, parents have to prepare their children on how to deal with it as well. We sometimes forget, that to young people, situations can sometimes seem permanent and feel like the end of the world.
All in all, I think that it is a symptom of the loss of civility in society. We somehow feel that it is okay to be as mean to each other as possible, adults and children. Somewhere, somehow, we need to reconnect with our inner kindness.
Well said!
Well said, Debra. I'm in complete agreement here. We must reconnect with our inner kindness.
Thanks for your reply.