http://straitstimes.asia1.com.sg/Breaking+News/Singapore/Story/STIStory_268332.html
Dare to flame? Then name and shame!
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PHOTO: KONG YEN LIN FOR ST
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What online bullies and victims do, and steps taken to curb cyberbullying:
Boasting: In one recent case, a victim attracted online rage at a forum by boasting about his great looks. Next thing he knew, his pictures were defaced and he was mocked.
Flame of the forum: Online bullies tend to 'flame' other users on a whim, especially at forums, where different views are expressed. A check on discussion threads at popular forum sites such as fuckwarezone and VR-Zone reveals various personal attacks.
Defending the victim: Comments posted can go either way. Although some are cruel, others may tell bullies to back off if users feel they have gone too far.
Trolling: This refers to posting controversial and sometimes nonsensical messages on forums, aiming to extract emotionally charged responses from users.
Retaliation: Some teens fight back by arguing with the bullies, sometimes exchanging vulgar insults. Others remain silent, hoping for the attacks to die down.
Un-moderators: Online forums have guardians in the form of moderators who are often senior members, but not all are kind in nature. Some are even guilty of bullying.
Name and shame: Forum participants, like Mr Sitoh Kheng Wai, 22, want bullies named and shamed. 'Offenders should be hauled up and punished by moderators. If a few red faces can lower the incidence of cyberbullying among students, why not?' said the third-year biotechnology student at the University of Queensland, Australia.
Banned list: Forums such as The Straits Times online portal Stomp publicly lists banned and warned members. Administrators remove offending comments, warn perpetrators and ban users. Stomp editor Serene Siew explained: 'Stomp has a no-tolerance rule for flaming and bullying.'
Awareness: As many as 25 secondary schools are helping students with 'cyberwellness' programmes. Cases of bullying are treated with corrective action emphasising counselling and mediation.
'Sense, Think, Act': This is the Ministry of Education's message to students in its School Bullying Management Kit, distributed to all secondary and primary schools last year. It helps them to detect threats online and take precautions.
Primary 4 to 6 pupils and Secondary 2 and 3 students will be given a 'cyberwellness' guidebook next month. The guide will go digital from next year.
To report cyberbullying, visit www.hrtd.com.sg/CABCY
Dare to flame? Then name and shame!
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR vAlign=bottom><TD width=330>
</TD><TD width=10>
PHOTO: KONG YEN LIN FOR ST
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
What online bullies and victims do, and steps taken to curb cyberbullying:
Boasting: In one recent case, a victim attracted online rage at a forum by boasting about his great looks. Next thing he knew, his pictures were defaced and he was mocked.
Flame of the forum: Online bullies tend to 'flame' other users on a whim, especially at forums, where different views are expressed. A check on discussion threads at popular forum sites such as fuckwarezone and VR-Zone reveals various personal attacks.
Defending the victim: Comments posted can go either way. Although some are cruel, others may tell bullies to back off if users feel they have gone too far.
Trolling: This refers to posting controversial and sometimes nonsensical messages on forums, aiming to extract emotionally charged responses from users.
Retaliation: Some teens fight back by arguing with the bullies, sometimes exchanging vulgar insults. Others remain silent, hoping for the attacks to die down.
Un-moderators: Online forums have guardians in the form of moderators who are often senior members, but not all are kind in nature. Some are even guilty of bullying.
Name and shame: Forum participants, like Mr Sitoh Kheng Wai, 22, want bullies named and shamed. 'Offenders should be hauled up and punished by moderators. If a few red faces can lower the incidence of cyberbullying among students, why not?' said the third-year biotechnology student at the University of Queensland, Australia.
Banned list: Forums such as The Straits Times online portal Stomp publicly lists banned and warned members. Administrators remove offending comments, warn perpetrators and ban users. Stomp editor Serene Siew explained: 'Stomp has a no-tolerance rule for flaming and bullying.'
Awareness: As many as 25 secondary schools are helping students with 'cyberwellness' programmes. Cases of bullying are treated with corrective action emphasising counselling and mediation.
'Sense, Think, Act': This is the Ministry of Education's message to students in its School Bullying Management Kit, distributed to all secondary and primary schools last year. It helps them to detect threats online and take precautions.
Primary 4 to 6 pupils and Secondary 2 and 3 students will be given a 'cyberwellness' guidebook next month. The guide will go digital from next year.
To report cyberbullying, visit www.hrtd.com.sg/CABCY
