Law Students

The Cyber-Bullying Epidemic

By Pete

I think we’re about to enter Get Off My Lawn territory here, but some things just need to be said.

Specifically, I think it’s time that we pare down the definition of cyberbullying.

is when someone repeatedly makes fun of another person online or repeatedly picks on another person through emails or text messages, or uses online forums and postings online intended to harm, damage, humiliate or isolate another person that they don?t like.

Seriously?

When I was a kid¹ if I had come home and complained that the kids at school were calling me names, I’m pretty sure the reaction would’ve been: “Suck it up. Sticks and stones. Yadda, yadda, yadda.” or maybe “Quit being a pansy.”

Clearly there’s a line there somewhere where this goes from kids being assholes (their natural state of being, I think) to something more sinister and dangerous, but I’m pretty sure that’s not at the name-calling level.

If you need a one-sentence example of why we’re way, way too sensitive about this, here it is, from the wikipedia article: “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.”

Not to say that this is acceptable behavior, but do we need a scary-sounding name for “being a jerk online”? Really?

Idiot Parent: He’s cyber-bullying my son! Send him to federal prison!
U.S. Attorney: What did he do, exactly?
Idiot Parent: He sent an email after little Johnny told him to stop!
U.S. Attorney: <dies of frivolity>

In conclusion: please stop talking about “cyber-bullying” and let’s call it what it already is: simple harassment. We do not need any more scare words, thanks.

1. Shut up.

Full post as published by PeteHoliday.com on February 10, 2009 (boomark / email).