Chute55uk":1shbyq7e said:
sorry I dont mean dog eat dog, I mean I struggle with the concept that people think its ok to tell someone to go and die, I had someone sent me a message on the xbox telling me he hopes I get cancer, all because I shot him in a game where the object is to shoot people (call of duty)
Thing is, though, I can see the distinction between the keyboard warrior, and those that pursue and bully others. Maybe I'm wrong - but I see a difference between those that say bold things because they're behind a keyboard, and there's likely no comeback, to those that hound and bully somebody - it may be a subtle distinction, but it's a distinction, nevertheless - obnoxious, as opposed to predatory.
I think social media and the internet has just made things more pervasive and exposed. In the past, for a child who maybe was bullied at school - outside of school, with other friends or doing other things, they would most likely not have this other time affected by bullying. But with so much more of life being about use of the internet, social media, people are more exposed and visible, and less shielded or have parts of their life less exposed to it.
Fortunately, for young kids (least I hope so) the internet and social media, mobile comms, aren't factors in that part of their lives, yet - so for kids at this younger age, one would hope they've only got the more traditional bullying to worry about.
It's an age-old problem, though. And there's not one panacea. Sure, some might say "fight back" but that's not for everybody, nor is everybody capable of that - and if technology is supposed to be improving our lives, surely there's a point that it should just make it even more open season for bullies to have many more avenues to make somebody's life a misery.
Plenty talk - and say they take it seriously - but in my opinion and experience, the only thing that matters, is action, when somebody complains - now sure, that can be a double-edged sword, but words, schmords - when people who are being bullied reach out, something needs to happen - else they won't reach out, because there will be no point, and more chance it'll just make things worse.
We_are_Stevo":1shbyq7e said:
I haven't been picked on or bullied since; and yes Neil, it was a better world when Choppers Grandad could dish out a bit of instant retribution and 'The Gene Genie' wasn't just a fictional character... :|
Maybe it was a better time - that's not what I've said - just that the Genie won't go back in the bottle. Problem is - society can't just be rewired or rewound like that.
And the other point about that being, that it's all well and good suggesting that parents get involved in fisticuffs - but a) it's not really the answer (it won't work for everybody, nor would be available for everybody) b) people doing Chopper's own profession, may well get involved, these days (whether they would like to, or otherwise).
Like many, I rose above an unpleasant few years - but not everybody will or can. The problem - like so many of these softer crimes - is insufficient will and effort to do anything, really, other than pay lip service, talk about initiatives and feelings.