Adult Cyber-Bullying, Cyber-Stalking, Cyber-Harassment, A Serious Issue Behind Internet Anonymity That Must Be Stopped

The internet can be a great place when it is used appropriately BUT as there is with most good things, there is a downside.

Many of us have seen what goes on in internet forums, blogs and sometimes through email. For the most part, the interaction is entertaining, fun

and sometimes educational BUT then there are times it is absolutely terrifying. That is the case as to what we witnessed yesterday.

On one of the forums we visit, we saw a member asking a generic question about some questionable activities that were going on behind the scenes of the forum in connection with site policies. No names were noted so there was no direct attacking of whoever else was involved. Most everyone that responded to the thread had no idea who the poster of the question was talking about.

There were 37 total posts in more than an hour on the entire thread before it became unavailable for further posting.

It took only until post 13 for another individual involved in the situation that the thread was about to not only attack the person who started the thread but they even defamed them! In the following 9 posts, 3 of the posts belonged to the attacker who continued on their rampage (as if the first post wasn't hurtful enough). These attacks were not posted for any other reason but to PUBLICLY degrade and defame the person who posted the question. It was unbelievable!

But what is even more horrifying is that the post still remains on a public forum. More than 11.5 hours have passed since the thread began (at the time of this post) yet the site administration allows the attacks and defaming statements to remain. (The site has knowledge of the thread and the attacks in it.)

What is really odd about this particular situation is that the site does have rules in place that state that this behavior is not appropriate. In most instances we have seen on this same site, this type of behavior (ususally with much less severe violations) has caused member suspensions and threads being removed from the forums.

Whether the site administration is unwilling to handle this situation properly because they do not realize the seriousness involved in the post or if they have formed some kind of favortism towards the offending member does not matter. The damage was done when the defaming posts were made and they are continuing to do damage as long as the thread remains. Then to add salt to an already open wound, the offending member did not receive a suspension which they so justly deserved.

UPDATE: After about 16.5 hours had lapsed, the defaming & degrading thread was finally removed from the public forum. Wonder how long it takes to ruin a persons reputation and that of their internet business? It is a shame that it was allowed to be posted so long.

While many will feel that the way this matter was handled is not fair, this goes far beyond fairness. This could cause a loss of business to the member who was victimized since the forum is connected to an eCommerce venue. Those who are investigating the site but have never joined or posted to the forums (lurkers - who may be potential buyers or sellers) will also see this and of course, you can bet your bottom dollar that they will tell everyone they know on the internet about what happened. Unlike this post, the lurkers will name the site and that may cause damage to anyone who sells on the site via a loss of income because the horror stories will keep potential buyers away.

What kind of person does such a thing on the internet? Well, there are many terms but usually they are called a cyber-bully while many forum regulars call them trolls.

We are not talking about children, as guaged by their age. These cyber-bullies or trolls are supposed to be adults (many are 35-50 years old and sometimes older). Many of the antics remind us of junior high kids that are bored out of their minds but unlike junior high, the problems that are caused can be devastating.

Cyber-bullying defined

The National Crime Prevention Council's definition of cyber-bullying is "when the Internet, cell phones or other devices are used to send or post text or images intended to hurt or embarrass another person." StopCyberbullying.org, an expert organization dedicated to internet safety, security and privacy, defines cyberbullying as: "a situation when a child, tween or teen is repeatedly 'tormented, threatened, harassed, humiliated, embarrassed or otherwise targeted' by another child, tween or teen using text messaging, email, instant messaging or any other type of digital technology." Other researchers use similar language to describe the phenomenon.

Cyber-bullying can be as simple as continuing to send e-mail to someone who has said they want no further contact with the sender, but it may also include threats, sexual remarks, pejorative labels (i.e., hate speech), ganging up on victims by making them the subject of ridicule in forums, and posting false statements as fact aimed at humiliation.

Cyber-bullies may disclose victims' personal data (e.g. real name, address, or workplace/schools) at websites or forums or may pose as the identity of a victim for the purpose of publishing material in their name that defames or ridicules them. Some cyberbullies may also send threatening and harassing emails and instant messages to the victims, while other post rumors or gossip and instigate others to dislike and gang up on the target.

Though the use of sexual remarks and threats are sometimes present in cyber-bullying, it is not the same as sexual harassment and does not necessarily involve sexual predators.

Cyber-bullying vs. Cyber-stalking

The practice of cyberbullying is not limited to children and, while the behavior is identified by the same definition in adults, the distinction in age groups is referred to as cyberstalking or cyberharassment when perpetrated by adults toward adults. Common tactics used by cyberstalkers are to vandalize a search engine or encyclopedia, to threaten a victim's earnings, employment, reputation, or safety.

A pattern of repeated such actions against a target by and between adults constitutes cyberstalking.

Source: Wikipedia

Characteristics of Adult Bully Targets

Adult bullies target their victims in many of the same way children who bully do. While many people think that bullying only occurs amongst children, it can also happen in the workplace among adults. No matter what the age of a bully, they are opportunistic and tend to prey on people they perceive as a threat or that they dislike because of differences. Adult bullies almost always bully others continuously and when one target leaves, quickly pick another. The following traits are common in adult bullying victims and usually make the bully feel insecure or threatened. Adult bullying can be more of a challenge to handle because it is harder to recognize and not as widely accepted as the bullying that occurs with children.

Adult bullies target people who are good at their job and excel beyond them. Bullies want to eliminate their competition and make their work seem better than it is. While bullying is not acceptable no matter the age of the person doing it, adults will still bully others if they see it as the only way to solve their problems. Adult bullies target people who put them in danger of looking bad in an attempt to sabotage their work.

Adult bullies target people who are popular and well liked as well, especially if they are not too popular them selves. The more well liked and competent a person is, the bigger the threat they are to an adult bully. If an adult bully is seeking attention, they will target people who receive the most attention and try to make them seem less valuable.

Adult bullies target people with differences from themselves, especially those who have high morals and integrity. Adult bullies usually have problems coping with their own problems and are desperately trying to find ways to make themselves look better by targeting other adults who they perceive will not fight back. Adult bullies seek out these people because they are less likely to retaliate against them. Adult bullies target people with vulnerabilities as well, such as inexperienced employees or older employees. If a new employee refuses to join an established clique or act a certain way, adult bullies target them. If new employees do not conform or have new and independent ideas, they also may be targeted.

Adult bullies target employees who have talents, strong friendships, or who are excelling at their jobs because of jealousy and inadequacy issues. Adult bullies feel as though they have to victimize others because they are envious of their talents. Even though it would be easier to just work harder at developing their own talents, adult bullies seek to damage other people instead of working harder themselves.

Employees who have strong relationships with others may be the target of an adult bully because the bully feels left out and is angry that they are excluded. Many adult bullies have had problems forming their own friendships their entire lives. Adult bullying is often overlooked and misunderstood in the workplace. While bullying among children is more common, adult bullying does take place.

Source Article

Cyberbullying does not just apply to children. There are adult groups dedicated to harassing and defaming others as well, along with websites created online specifically to make fun of and demean individuals. These people can be found in communities linked to blogs and chat rooms and they use the disguise of “anonymity” to harass their prey. Sometimes, these bullies will take their online squabbles offline and press people online to harass their prey's family and friends. As a bully myself, then a victim of large-scale bullying, let me tell you my story.

Author: Chelsea Itson Click here to read the entire article

Tons of great information can be found at BullyOnline:
http://www.bullyonline.org/workbully/serial.htm

How to handle these situations:




If you are a victim of such attacks, contact the site administration and give them an opportunity to rectify the situation. If the site does not remedy the situation or tries to redirect the blame to you, contact the authorites as you have been directed throughout this post.

We do hope that all sites will take these issues seriously and issue a zero tolerance policy against these internet crimes. That's right, they are internet crimes! As with all other crimes, the offender should not be allowed to roam the community freely. Just as important, this policy should be applied equally to ALL those who violate it.