Online bullying discussion.

Kaya

Senior Member
Location
Northern Cali
So, we read all the time about kids being bullied online. Makes ya wonder where the parents are that are not paying attention to what their kids are doing on the vast internet, doesn't it? Tv and pc's are now the new babysitters I guess.

However, with that said...it isn't just kids that get bullied. Adults bully other adults..and they should know better, you'd think. So...I guess it proves one does not have to watch what their kids do online if they are bullying. Bullies are just flat out mean and don't give a damn about anyone else. Kid bullies grow up to be old people bullies. Period.

Your thoughts?
 

Kaya, I suppose anyone going onto a site where there is interaction from other users, risks being bullied.
My brother died years ago when his daughter was 12. She was born with cerebral palsy and is wheelchair bound. Her mom needed to work to support the family and social security pays for a nursing assistant to be there while mom's away. My niece can't go out very often to socialize with friends. She does spend a lot of her time on the computer. She frequents sites where everyone enjoys the same music she does. She's does not have mental retardation, but she is a little slow. She has had problems being bullied on these sites numerous times over the years. It's sad when nasty, cruel, aggressive people pick on others. These crude people must feel so superior after they've insulted or frightened someone else.

I don't like it one bit, but I don't have any answers as to how to prevent bullying.
 
The only way to fight bullying is to fight back. At least, that is how I handle it when someone is stupid enough to think I will be a door mat. Big mistake. Big.
Meanwhile...I am so sorry your niece has to deal with such people. And yes...picking on someone else is really just that persons insecurity so doing it makes them feel better I guess. Warped mentality, in my opinion.

I think it starts at childhood. If they bullied as kids...they will bully as adults. You would be surprised at the older people I have run across in my time on the net. And I mean in their 70's and 80's. Sure, older means crotchety and stuck in their ways..which proves my point. They have always been that way. Being mean serves no purpose except to make the one doing it feel...superior. Maybe in their own minds.
 

I've never been a bully (too placid) and don't remember being bullied as a child.
I have occasionally come in contact with aggressive people but never felt that it was in any way personal. I just assume that they are rather nasty people and treat them with ignore.

I have encountered some aggressive posters online who object to my political stance but it doesn't cause me any concern.
I pour on the charm, just to throw them off balance.

I am careful to make sure that I limit the amount of personal information I reveal online to avoid becoming the target of someone who goes out of their way to pursue a victim for bullying and harassment. That must be a horrible experience.
 
You are doing everything right, Dame. Unfortunately, I tend to forget and share too much. When I am backed against a wall and tried the ignore thing and it did not stop...I wound up getting peeved and fought back. And I fight dirty. It takes a lot to get me there, though.

Anyway...holding back and not trusting too much is the safest way on the net. And if I had children in todays times...there is no way I would allow them to be on the net without major supervision. It's just too dangerous nowadays.
 
re:The only way to fight bullying is to fight back.

If you're talking about the kids in school fighting back then thats the wrong answer.
I got a 16 year old in High school and a 8 year old also in school, I have not encountered any problems with bullying in both school with these two.
I have always told both of them if they get hit by any bully in school do NOT hit back but then call me first and we'll both head to the district school administrator's office rather then the principal of that school who sometimes are totally useless to help.
 


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