A couple of weeks ago I came across this clip from the Today Show that focused on online harassment particularly via facebook. So far through readings and lectures, I feel as if online/virtual communities exude a sense of freedom without much responsibility. The subject was recently brought up in regards to online gaming and what’s considered cheating/stealing. On another note, It seems like the lack of responsibility or rather what Danah Boyd refers to as semi-anonymity has led to an increase of crassness on social networks such as facebook. This crassness has evolved into blatant violence in some cases as discussed on the Today Show.
In a previous anthropology course I learned that with new trends come new boundaries. Of course, cyberspace is nothing new; however, its pervasiveness has recently enhanced through time and space quite rapidly partially due to the rise of social networking sites such as myspace, facebook, and twitter. Examples of new boundaries within these online networks are cyber-bullying and online trolling/mobbing. Because these violent actions cause negative effects beyond the computer screen, they have attracted much concern. This video clip focuses on the ways in which internet trolls prey on families with recently deceased children whose facebook profiles often remain active with repulsive and disturbing comments.
It is interesting to see how regulations on harassment translate to online social networks and how law enforcement takes strategic measures on solving the issue. Lastly, it’s amazing to see the significance of facebook memorial pages and how these pages serve as an appropriate space for people give their condolences to the dead and their families.
Here's the link:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/36113365#36113365
it's things like this that make me want to have some form of accountability for the internet-- but of course people on the other side wouldn't want any form of "big brother" recording their actions. How do you do both?
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