Brutal sexual threats against perceived trespassers, made anonymously, with the expectation they will be seen as “humorous”. Sound familiar? Modern-day trolls belong to a long, and troubling, lineage.
Women are far more likely to receive negative or threatening comments while gaming.
awee_19/Flickr
Taiwan recently made the unprecedented move of banning children two years and younger from using any form of digital technology. Older children and teenagers will also be severely restricted, with new…
Cyber bullying is on the rise and can strike anytime.
AAP Image/Dan Peled
The reaction to the federal government’s plans to clamp down on cyberbullying has ranged from hostility from some libertarians to scepticism about yet another government attempt to make the internet safer…
We should help protect those who protect us from abuse online.
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When trolls strike in website comment sections and across social media, we tend to look to curtail the perpetrators and help their targets. But what of the moderators – the often nameless and invisible…
The abuse unleashed online can be devastating at times.
Flickr/Spyros Papaspyropoulos
Online and social media’s capacity to enable anyone to communicate their ideas and views is much celebrated. So why do so many people feel nervous about getting involved with online debate? Too often…
Good anti-bullying strategies can give kids extra muscle.
Child via Robert Kneschke/Shutterstock
Bullying in schools has been recognised as a serious and pervasive problem now for at least two decades. There is now also evidence, including from the UK and other European countries, North America and…
We are currently experiencing an epidemic of cyberbullying in schools that has taken the educational community by surprise. One new UK study of children’s digital habits found that online bullying has…
Google changes its policy on usernames.
Flickr/Robert Occhialini
Google has announced a surprising end to its controversial “Real Name” policy with a contrite post on Google+, telling users that there are “no more restrictions” on the names people can use. This is a…
The physical damage is not always apparent.
spookman01
Estimates show that millions of people have been victims of cyberbullying. Sadly, this includes the famous cases where emotional distress caused Tyler Clementi, Izzy Dix, Lisa Marie Zahra, and dozens of…
A new social media site has gained popularity in Australia. Experts say its anonymity opens up kids to dangerous cyberbullying.
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Cyberbullying experts, schools and parents are concerned about another social networking site targeting teens. Ask.fm enables users to post questions; you sign up and people ask you or you ask other people…
One pupil posted online that a teacher’s skin was ‘covered in potholes’.
Dave Thompson/PA
A new survey by the teachers union NASUWT has provided further evidence to confirm that teachers too, as well as pupils, can be targets of online bullying. In the research, just more than a fifth of the…
The federal government’s cyber-safety discussion paper is primarily concerned with protecting children online. But does it show an understanding of online and offline cultures?
AAP/Dan Peled
The rise of social media tools and accessories has allowed us to be “always on” and “always connected”. The impact of this technological change is primarily social, and so far our communities have not…
The recent death of television personality Charlotte Dawson and the possible role that online abuse played in her struggles with depression shows how damaging this behaviour can be. The former model had…
Are you doing more harm than good when you comment online?
darthdowney
Amanda Todd was a 15-year-old Canadian girl who took her own life in October 2012. Prior to her death, she had been the victim of extensive and prolonged cyber-bullying on Facebook, YouTube and other social…