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Mar. 24th, 2011 09:55 amThe whole bullying video thing has become a media circus, but here's a sharp response from a SMH columnist: Bullying should not be a spectator sport. YouTube, of course, turns us all into spectators - or rather, bystanders, whom the columnist correctly argues have a responsibility to intervene. Online, intervention might not take more than a quietly disapproving or dissenting remark - expressing discomfort, casting doubt on a rumour.
(So much heartache in the comments to that column. So much.)
ETA: Further commentary from an anti-bullying educator. "Nobody stood up for me, someone needed the strength and courage. Bystanders have a lot of fear and think - what if they come after me? They can be scared to speak up."
ETA:
Chifley College cleared of condoning a bullying culture. (I confess I am sceptical.)
The Internet's latest chew toy, thirteen year old Rebecca Black, has received death threats amongst all the other mockery and abuse. The news item includes interesting insights on social media, young people, and fame, wanted and unwanted. "Kids Helpline staff had seen a rise in calls from kids who were anxious about their privacy being eroded by online and other media. 'They walk down a path, they find themselves in the media, whether it's online or it's on the television or newspapers, and suddenly everybody knows something about them - the problem is it may not be a true story about them. What happens then is people believe that media portrayal whether it's good or it's bad and the young people start to believe that about themselves as well.'"
ETA: A columnist takes the piss out of the "hissing sack of snakes that has attached itself to Rebecca Black". "The fact that someone who is unable to spell the word 'shit' feels entitled to hand out songwriting advice to a fellow citizen may be one of the chief marvels of our age."
(So much heartache in the comments to that column. So much.)
ETA: Further commentary from an anti-bullying educator. "Nobody stood up for me, someone needed the strength and courage. Bystanders have a lot of fear and think - what if they come after me? They can be scared to speak up."
ETA:
Chifley College cleared of condoning a bullying culture. (I confess I am sceptical.)
The Internet's latest chew toy, thirteen year old Rebecca Black, has received death threats amongst all the other mockery and abuse. The news item includes interesting insights on social media, young people, and fame, wanted and unwanted. "Kids Helpline staff had seen a rise in calls from kids who were anxious about their privacy being eroded by online and other media. 'They walk down a path, they find themselves in the media, whether it's online or it's on the television or newspapers, and suddenly everybody knows something about them - the problem is it may not be a true story about them. What happens then is people believe that media portrayal whether it's good or it's bad and the young people start to believe that about themselves as well.'"
ETA: A columnist takes the piss out of the "hissing sack of snakes that has attached itself to Rebecca Black". "The fact that someone who is unable to spell the word 'shit' feels entitled to hand out songwriting advice to a fellow citizen may be one of the chief marvels of our age."
