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My suggestion would be that perhaps the answer to these issues isn't social media related per se. I entirely agree that platforms such as Twitter do have an obligation to remove damaging content, but perhaps these virtual outbursts are illustrative of real-world problems. Perhaps the solution involves the joint development of some type of service specifically designed to target those creating this disparaging content with the intention of identifying the reasons behind these actions. This would only work however in collaboration with ongoing efforts from the social platforms themselves I feel.
Chris
TLR
Ironically, this allows the criminal ample time to establish readership, reliant clientele, sales/conversions, and increased stats for Jimmy Criminal & assoc..having time to fortify a larger crew. Amplified.
Like the myth of drinking milk to rid stomach acid. Milk ceases production of the acid temporarily, then rebounds to increased production x 2.
It sounds a bit similar to how a dope dealer is oftentimes apprehended by the use of a discreetly planted observer/participant. By the time the apprehension takes place, they have already created multitudes to continue on. Neverending. Temp solution. ..Online law will have to be comparative to offline, yet twisted in a fashion that will not double or triple what began.
Awake at night trying to catch the angle.
I see more when I step inside cycles of conversations, personalities and what nots and simply observe..wondering how offline law would react if the win/lose ratio were equivalent to SMs in their attempts to regulate comparatively, and the adaptation/adjustment of those left behind. I feel SM drama extends beyond the virtual zone, as you seem to have suggested, and it's possible that the this zone can be an effective testing ground for offline application as well.
I'm a blonde hair twirling creative nobody yet I Do know this: SM is a [potential] breeding ground for serious criminals. It's not a movie. It's on and underguestimating. not. good.
The other type of stalking is much more difficult to deal with, the only mechanisms available now are blocking someone, and having the hosting social network remove them altogether. It remains to be seen if this will prove sufficient. As social media evolves, new coping mechanisms will surely evolve with it.
Businesses that are targeted can often afford to have the legal costs absorbed to combat fraudulent or abusive claims, but this isn't always the case for individuals.
If it was easier for the individual cases to be dealt with and helped, maybe it would deter the instigators?
Slow growth of healthy innovation ranks higher than fast growing harm in my book.
Terrific article and great suggestions above by commentators. Another suggestion - let us not be a group of social media enthusiasts who are content with sticking our respective heads in the sand. If we see bullying or inappropriate behavior, let us rally together to help counter it. All to often people are too afraid to "get involved" or to stick their noses where they feel they don't belong but, in many cases, that's just bull - plain and simple. It's always easier to sit on the sidelines and do nothing than to take a stand.
I've been involved in a few instances of inappropriate Twitter behavior, bullying and the like and it has been amazing to me the number of people who have watched, commented, applauded me for taking a stand and validated the belief that good people don't let mean people do nasty things. If they can help it, that is.
Simply by writing this article is evidence, Danny-boy, that you are veritable definition of quintessential "good people" (not that I didn't already know that!), but the ability to take on serious topics like this one is a big deal ... I applaud you.
Thanks for a great read.
@shellykramer
I know in the past I've tweeted conversation links of people doing the abusing, and I've seen others do the same as well, so it's encouraging.
I guess the problem is there's only so much we can do, and it would just be nicer to see the networks themselves get involved as much as the users of their sites.
And thank you for the compliments, very kind :)
I think that this will always be an issue as long as, first, people use aliases or fake e-mail addresses to sign-up for an use social media. This gives abusers a false sense of security and enables them to act in ways that they would never dare to do if using their real name and contact information.
Second, it will also continue if there are no repercussions. I don't have the answer either, but if there are no negative consequences for their actions, there is no meaningful reason for them to stop (keeping in mind that a reasonable person would never have started it in the first place).
I think Shelly is right, part of it does involve not watching in silence on the sidelines. As they say, silence breeds consent. If we see someone abusing someone else, we should step in and do what we can to stop it. If we see others stepping forward to address it, we should back them up.
Thanks, Danny, for starting this excellent conversation!
I do not believe the answer is becoming less open. That causes bad to win over good and that is never the ideal solution.
I suppose this is one of those situations which the vast majority of social media participators will never encounter, but for the unfortunate few it must be a nightmare.
Like you I don't have an answer to this problem - it is hard enough stopping bullies in as small and area as the school playground - and the internet takes the problem accross all borders. All we can do is try to offer support to our friends who have been targeted and keep operating with openness and generosity ourselves.
"... a necessary evil for the advances that are being made every day through easier communication."
I can't see how any kind of persecution is necessary. Evil, yes; necessary, no.
To me, necessary evils would be having to give up your date of birth to confirm eligibility for a promotion; or put up with spam emails or messages to use an online forum or similar.
I don't see how you can relate abuse and harassment to spam.
He's trying to prevent us using hashtags, by pouring junk posts into the timestream that are irrelevant. It goes on and on, and he's caused on good twitter to go private because of harrassment on twitter and elsewhere. Her sin was, many years ago, to complain about his violating her copyrights.
The bottom line is that the time and effort needed to do something is high, while the returns are small. When he was turfed from twitter, he just made another account and started over. But the deal is that people like that have very little real influence, and most people simply aren't interested in mudslinging.
Harrasers still end up with their own sad lives, and that's often the biggest punishment life doles out.
This guy has been in and out of court so much in "real" life that its unlikely he has anything to lose, anyway. If you can live with it, try to ignore it.
@rbacal http://twitter.com/rbacal
(Sorry, couldn't log in via twitter.
That's really sad to hear - sorry you are going through this kind of grief at the minute.
I guess that's the main problem with online identities - you can be whoever you want, and many sites won't really care just as long as you boost their numbers for stakeholders.
IP blocking would work, but only minimally - he'd simply move to a library or a friend's house to log in.
As you say, when you get to his level of activity, legal sanctions probably don't bother him - there's a far deeper underlying reason for what he's doing.
It's a minefield for sure - question is, how do we traverse it?
How you doing Grt post
Danny I have an intresting take on the situation; blocking is indeed the right way to go for most.
Ignoring is a grt way for ohers
Taking them to court or getting them removed off a sight or reporting them to the social or police are definetly ways to go.
But here is the real problem wih all of the above tactics they do not learn, and they move on and become someone ele's issue.
Tthe individuals and the problem of what basically are just schoolyard bullies, is an age old one. We all knew the schoolyard bully and we all know someone who was harrassed by them. Danny it's kinda like your noisy neighbors. No matter how hard you ignore, you try to block out you really accomplish nothing more than sending them away, letting them be someone else's problem.
We need to remember how the school yard bullies learn thier lessons. By meeting someone bigger stronger, tougher, and meaner. The best way to handle a social bully is not to make them someone's elses but with creativity, an inventive spirit, and sharper wit. Be so nice they get the message. Let them be the one who blocks, ignores, and runs.
Because when they recieve a lasting memory than perhaps the next time they may do it; they may remember WOW That smarts
Perhaps no, Perhaps yes, but usually until they experience they wont learn.
Maybe warped thoughts or a warped way to deal with it. But then you know me Danny
Pat
The only "problem" I can see is that at least in school you had a physical being to "target" with recourse; online it's less obvious who you're dealing with.
Anonymity gives a lot of power that the abuser may not have felt otherwise, and perhaps (as has been mentioned elsewhere in the comments) they feed off the attention. The more they receive, the more they abuse?
Tricky one.
As to the social media sites, they absolutely need a dedicated department to handle abuses and complaints, suspending accounts that engage in any uncalled for behavior. It's no different that a bunch of us showing up in a bar or restaurant to have a conversation. If someone gets out of line the bouncer/manager/bartender asks them (or forces them) to leave.
"It’s no different than a bunch of us showing up in a bar or restaurant to have a conversation."..Actually, it is different.
In an offline atmosphere, the supposed offense is viewable and likely supported by persons which have no incentive to lie or relation to one another. Online, it is frequently the opposite and claims against someones supposed fouls, can (and does) harm innocent and otherwise productive members of communities. Those sorts of resolves are not hindrances to determined haters and gangs who are more than willing to email 100 friends asking them to terrorize you.. the abusers call it "Reputation Management".
I dealt with a very tech-savvy stalker (and hacker criminal type) who made my online and offline life hell for a couple of years. More recently, I was unfairly maligned by bullies from an apparently disreputable, yet highly regarded and successfully marketed nonprofit organization with whom I previously volunteered. Both situations leveraged buddy lists and online communities to magnify the effects and reach of bullying and harassment.
Bullies and stalkers will always be bullies and stalkers. Obviously, social networking increases the reach, efficiency and effectiveness of their negative activities. Most bullies, stalkers and abusers are not fringe types, by the way. They are often popular and public figures in an online (or offline) community. The usually have large networks and are skilled at twisting perceptions and flying below the radar.
The details one provides online do enable those haters to cause damage in a myriad of ways. I choose to speak the truth, shine a light on bullies and abusers, and block or ignore all those who participate in OR otherwise enable negative activities of that sort. Sometimes that makes me the bad guy and odd man out, but I sleep very well and am happy with the difference I make in the world. It would be great to see more doing the same. Most don't want to get involved.
Thanks again for your thought-provoking article.
It makes me wonder at times whether some bullies do so without realizing that's exactly what they're doing, or if it's always calculated?
Either way, you're right - we need to take a stand and highlight these issues as opposed to hoping they just go away.
I'm sorry this is a problem for you, and that the networks don't seem to be helping (or in a position to help).
One of the best options is to visit this site:
http://www.wiredsafety.org/cyberstalking_harass...
It is the world's largest resource for cyber bullying and online harassment and has a multitude of resources available.
I hope it helps, and my sincerest wishes your situation is resolved.
What he did to me destroyed my life, career and reputation, and i will never ever forgive him.