Are you an online bully?

United States
November 5, 2006 5:18pm CST
They're as rampant and ruthless as schoolyard bullies - and often twice as mean. They join forums and communities for no reason except to make people feel bad about themselves. Online bullying is everywhere, and takes all different forms. What is your definition of online bullying? Where do they come from? Are you an online bully? Why or why not?
2 people like this
12 responses
@anca_e (963)
• Romania
8 Nov 06
I like very much the discussion you started. I have seen a lot of mean and rude people over the internet, especially on a Romanian forum I use to surf. There are always a bunch of people that make bad comments. I can't really define them. Maybe just mean, rude people that has no opinion about anything, that have nothing better to do, full of frustrations. I always hated them very much so I wont ever be one of them. I always tried not to hurt people in anyway. So I wont start now or on the internet. I think all this rude people have courage to do it all this bulls**t because they are anonymous and nobody know them.
1 person likes this
• United States
8 Nov 06
That's a fantastic point! I once had a friend tell me that the anonymity of the internet usually means no consequences...you can be just as horrible and cruel as you could ever want to be and nobody would be able to do anything about it. Thanks so much!
@marciascott (25529)
• United States
6 Nov 06
MYLOT WARN YOU ABOUT THAT. BE NICE!
1 person likes this
• United States
6 Nov 06
Uh. Okay! Thanks!
@DeenaD (2684)
• United States
6 Nov 06
I've encountered quite a few of them here. Our advantage hers is that, unlike real-life bullies, we can just ignore them - learn their names and then not read their posts.
1 person likes this
• United States
6 Nov 06
Yeah, I've noticed there seem to be a lot here. That's pretty good advice.
• United States
6 Nov 06
Online Bullying is as wrong as any kind of bullying... the bully's do it cause they have been bullied, abused, or have a self esteem problem, so it makes them feel better to bully others, make themselves feel bigger, better, etc. than others. We need a BBA group... Been Bullied Anonymous
1 person likes this
• United States
6 Nov 06
I agree with that. Do you think that's the same thing with regular schoolyard bullies, that they have been abused or sufer low self-esteem themselves?
• United States
6 Nov 06
I don't know, dealing with an online bully is easier than dealing with one in real life. First of all, they can't possibly physically hurt you online, so there's no fear or anxiety regardking that aspect, and second, you can block and report people online. You can even go so far as to getting the person banned by reporting them to the right people. The bullies I've seen are just the ones who make smart remarks or single someone out because they don't like something they posted or their avatar. I think it's just more annoying than anything else.
1 person likes this
• United States
6 Nov 06
I think you're probably right...it is easier to deal with them, once you realize that they can't actually hurt you. It's just getting to the point where you can realize that that's the hard thing. Thanks!
@suzieque (2334)
• Canada
6 Nov 06
Any type of bullying is wrong, in school grounds or online. You can make someone feel horrible with nasty words.
1 person likes this
• United States
6 Nov 06
Very true! Thanks!
@sunrisekn (1466)
• United States
5 Nov 06
I have read some posts that the bullies have frequented. It's quite sad that they are so unhappy with their own lives that they have to stike out at others. I am not an internet bully.
• United States
5 Nov 06
I agree. And I'm glad you're not an internet bully. :)
• United States
5 Nov 06
Thank goodness at last the internet police have arrived. The bullies will leave us now coco.
• United States
5 Nov 06
Glad I could be of service. *puts on cape and flies away* INTERNET BULLIES...BEGONE!!!!
• United States
5 Nov 06
*PS: Little do you know, this discussion is about you. O.o
@clownfish (3272)
• United States
5 Nov 06
I agree, bullying is the same no matter if the bully is in person, behind the wheel of a car, of hiding behind a computer screen.
1 person likes this
• United States
5 Nov 06
Yes! It's just like online dating...Bullying used to happen in one place, then as times change, the location and type of bullying changes. Online bullying is just an incarnation of real life bullying, and it can be just as harmful. Thanks!
@bayboy (986)
• United States
5 Nov 06
Shouldnt really be bothered about it, it's just an online thing and you know, online shouldnt be mixed with reality.
1 person likes this
• United States
5 Nov 06
You have to agree, though, that just like real bullying, online bullying is affecting people. Thanks for the comment.
@macubx (11414)
• Philippines
5 Nov 06
im a bully, and im sorry.. i just bully some of the retarded and silly questions here in mylot.. im really sorry guys, but i also post beneficial discussion and help much those who really need help.
• United States
5 Nov 06
So you're not an indiscriminate bully then? You only bully specific people? I guess that's better than just hating the world. It's great that you do things to help people too, though. Thanks!
@wildpvcgal (1085)
5 Nov 06
To me being bullied is being bullied. Its all the same to me! I was bullied as a kid for years! Now i don,t stand for it! I nip it in the bud!
1 person likes this
• United States
5 Nov 06
I agree a hundred percent! I was also bullied when I was a kid, and now that I'm all grown up I feel like I need to stick up for the kids who are getting bullied now. Thanks so much.