“Amanda ******** is a B&%$#”
As we discussed in class,Facebook users have a tendency of dehumanizing other users in order to gain self-confidence.Cyberbullying has become an ongoing issue in society.It has affected many individuals physically, mentally, and emotionally. Due to cyberbullying,many deaths have occurred. For the most part, cyberbullying occurs from the actions of others on numerous social networking sites. I will focus on CollegeACB, formely known as Juicycampus.For those who are unaware of the site; it is a social site and peers are instructed to:
- Encourage users to post more positive and productive content.
- Allow users to highlight content they like.
- Give users the power to remove content they don’t like.
- Push the culture of the site in a more positive and productive direction.
Instead the opposite is portrayed on the website.
There are some differences between Facebook and CollegeACB.Facebook gives users the opportunity to create a profile and communicate with family, friends and potential friends. However CollegeACB, gives users the ability to post information about their fellow colleagues, whether negative or positive. After scrolling through the subtitles, negative/bashing occurs more often than positive thoughts. Websites like CollegeACB gives users the chance to “cyberbully” with no face to the comment, unless the post gets out of hand and is reported to the website’s owner.
Below I have copied a post from the website to demonstrate the cruelty of one user who accepts the negativity from other users:
“STOP POSTING ‘KIND’ THREADS! IT WILL BACKFIRE!
Posted 03/30/2010 02:38 AM | Last Reply 03/30/2010 02:38 AM
“Do you think that by trying to change the tone of this site it will be a good thing? No! If you write about anyone on this site, someone will guaranteed shit on them afterwards. Yes a girl committed suicide, but still by making these ‘favorite, nicest’ threads, you are going to have innocent good people being caught in the cross fire…”
This goes to show that social networking sites not only serve as a trigger to commit suicide, if not used in the right manner. However, the many users on these websites feel it’s best to bash as many individuals as possible. As he/she states, “STOP POSTING “KIND” THREADS IT WILL BACKFIRE”…In other words, why use a website, like CollegeACB in a pleasant manner, eventually negativity will occur from your post. Unfortunately, one female committed suicide after being cyberbullied and it will continue to happen if websites like CollegeACB exist. In this day and age we are so caught up in technology that face to face conversations, whether a regular conversation or disagreement can be resolved. Instead, anonymity plays key role in pointing out the bad and leaves the ugly with the control/power of words. The website should provide users with profile information to approach or report their aggressive opponents.
From my perspective, the loyalty of friendships and networking amongst humans weaken day by day. I often wonder what happen to the well valued friendships, formal meetings where individuals discuss commonalities and differences face to face. As oppose to, being bashed online which can have a psychological affect on the individual. (Remember all the members on specific sites are anonymous, it can be your best friend who has hatred towards your lifestyle.)
The advancement of technology leads to an increase of cyberbullying. Due to the actions of others, an individual can be affected, which may result in death.Change must occur in order for these websites to be a much safer environment.Unfortunately, some see otherwise.
