Social behaviour in cyberspace including bullying

Why is it people sometimes behave very differently on the Internet than they would face to face?  Sometimes that behaviour is drastically different, with young people (and adults) being more sexually aggressive or nastier than they would ever be normally.  A part of the answer may be disinhibition -  we lose our inhibitions on the Net.  This isn't always a negative situation.  For example, a young person may be more out-going and confident on the Net than they are face to face.  But it is very negative when someone is bullying or threatening others.

The world of the Net is not a giant computer game or a special anarchistic online society exempt from the rules of our offline society - far from it.  The law online is much the same as the law offline. 

We also all need to remember that our behaviour online has much the same impact as our behaviour face to face.  ln some ways, however, being victimised online can intensify the stress and hurt caused.  With bullying in cyberspace, there is no 'safe' place - it is with kids 24 hours a day.  Posting negative content on the web about a person gives that bully a global audience.  There is growing research evidence that the bullying young people experience online is often coming from their peers and 'friends'.

Those who choose to behave in anti-social ways on the Net risk getting caught. They have left a trail, albeit an electronic one, that is much easier to follow than they probably think.  Schools have bullying and harassment policies to deal with offenders and very serious incidents of harassment should be reported to the Police for investigation and possible prosecution.  Companies that host websites or handle text messaging or email traffic should have clear policies about what behaviour will not be tolerated and quickly enforce those policies when notified of a problem.  The industry has a vital role to play in this regard.

If we can better understand disinhibition, and the anti-social behaviour that may result, we can better educate to encourage more positive interactions on the Net.  Also, the very factors that may encourage negative behaviour may also encourage risk-taking behaviour.  The best strategy is to educate children and young people about the importance of safe and responsible use of all communication technologies, including the help that is available when they have a problem and the very real consequences of indulging in negative activity. 

These technologies have very rapidly had a profound impact on our society, so we do not yet have a commonly known code of social behaviour for cyberspace.  But we need one.  Also, what role models do children have when many of the trusted adults in their lives are reticent to use the technologies themselves?

On the 23rd of June 2004, NetSafe^® and Vodafone New Zealand launched a joint campaign to raise awareness about text bullying.  Children who are being victimised may feel completely alone, yet there is help and support if they can come forward.  Cyberbullies need to understand the impact of their actions and to be aware that they can get caught, and there may be serious consequences for their behaviour.  Parents have a very important role in combatting text bullying, and other forms of cyberbullying.  A good place to start is to read the new Txt Bullying brochure.  You can print it off and show it to your child.  As well, you could show it to a senior manager or counsellor at your child's school. 

Click here to view a pdf of the NetSafe^®/Vodafone NZ brochure on txt bullying.