Are teengers really that dense?

[happyninja42]

My question is when did teenagers became so dense?

They didn't. They've always been like this, it's only now that we all get to hear about it via the same social networking that has caused them to be bullied. Teenagers aren't terribly mentally stable by definition, they're still developing their neural pathways, coupled with raging hormones at the same time. It can cause a lot of truly insane behaviour. When I think back on some of the choices I made as a teenager, that at the time seemed rational, and in hindsight were insane, I have a lot more patience with kids for being dumb and making some truly stupid decisions.

Are they not aware that they do not have to visit these social networking sites?

Then they wouldn't be able to connect with their friends who also use the sites. That's like telling a kid who doesn't like one person at the local coffee shop, to not go there at all. It's a fairly severe level of social amputation for them, and it would leave them feeling even further isolated.

If they were really so upset at receiving such distasteful messages off anonymous people couldn't they just switched off and watched funny cat videos instead?

A lot of times, it seems that the mistake (if you even want to call it that) of the teenager, is then capitalized on by others, forcing a form of shame and stigmata on them. As if saying "if they were actually good and decent people, it woulnd't have happened to them in the first place". This shame further aggravates their embarrasment and isolation, now adding onto it open mockery and ridicule over the actions that someone else did to them. It's basically blaming the victim for being a victim, which sadly, can have harmful effects.

Are some teenagers really that socially backwards that they rely on social networking sites these days?

Wow, that's a fairly insulting comment there. You were doing fine up until that point, where you basically called teenagers backwards retards because they are utilizing a bit of commonplace technology. Just because they use a social network, doesn't mean they are social inept. I've known some socially inept people, and they don't network...like at all. You're using a social network site right now to post this comment about people being socially backwards for using social networking sites. Does that mean YOU are socially backwards? Grow up sir, that last bit was uncalled for.

 

[HalfTangible]

Well, here in the U.K cyber bullying seems to be a big issue at the moment, after some teenagers have killed themselves over abusive comments and messages, with ask.fm being at the centre of the storm.
Now while this is a horrible tragedy for the families involved. My question is when did teenagers became so dense? Are they not aware that they do not have to visit these social networking sites? If they were really so upset at receiving such distasteful messages off anonymous people couldn't they just switched off and watched funny cat videos instead?

Are some teenagers really that socially backwards that they rely on social networking sites these days?

I was bullied a lot in middle school (and I'm ashamed to say I did some of my own), so let me say this: It's not like these people are only getting bullied online. By the time you've reached the stage where social networking comments are genuinely awful enough for you to even consider committing suicide, you were already out of social options that didn't hurt you. Cat videos are funny but they don't last long, nor does the cheer from them.

Moreover, hitting 'ignore' after reading a hateful comment just means you hit the button too late. The damage is done, all you've done is forced the person to make a new account to try again.

 

[Something Amyss]

Expecting anyone to associate themselves with The Big Bang Theory for any amount of time should be a crime on-par with actual bullying.

I hope that was a joke, but after months of hearing "NERD BLACKFACE" cried in all seriousness, I fear it's not.

As such, I'm not sure how to respond. "Good joke" seems dickish if you're one of the people who takes it so seriously, but a serious response seems equally likely to provoke a response of "settle down, it's just a joke."

 

[A Weakgeek]

Seeing as the other suicide thread was closed, I'll post this here.

I will always, ALWAYS respect a person who lives through a lifetime of hardships (no matter how severe) than one who turns to suicide. I'm not as extreme as to call it "the easy way out", however, getting over the fear of death is nothing compared to living through your hardships. It wouldn't be thought of as a solution otherwise.

But then again, just as Im not validated to talk about racism/sexism issues because Im a white male, Im probably not validated to talk about depression because of living in relative comfort (despite of bullying) and apparently with good brain chemistry.

 

[Hazy]

Expecting anyone to associate themselves with The Big Bang Theory for any amount of time should be a crime on-par with actual bullying.

I hope that was a joke, but after months of hearing "NERD BLACKFACE" cried in all seriousness, I fear it's not.

As such, I'm not sure how to respond. "Good joke" seems dickish if you're one of the people who takes it so seriously, but a serious response seems equally likely to provoke a response of "settle down, it's just a joke."

Nah, it was a joke, no worries.

 

[Mau95]

Like others have said, there was almost certainly other circumstances aside from the cyber bullying. However, the block and ignore features exist for a reason. Why not use them in order to shut out the bullies in question, and then continue to enjoy using the site(s)? That's what I don't understand. If someone is bullying you in the real world you don't go out of your way t be around them, do you? So why continue to allow these people access to your online profiles? Isn't that, you know, common sense?

It's anonymous so I'm not sure if you can just block people. A simpler way to get rid of cyberbullying would be, you know, to stop visiting the site youre being bullied on.

 

[purplecactus]

It's anonymous so I'm not sure if you can just block people. A simpler way to get rid of cyberbullying would be, you know, to stop visiting the site youre being bullied on.

Apparently there's a way to disallow anonymous postings (which I think is standard across most social networking things), but you're right. When it comes down to it, if the site is more trouble then it's worth, just stop visiting it.

 

[thebakedpotato]

Being a Teenager in this day and age is kind of tough. You are put into a quasi childlike state where in the past you would be put into adulthood almost immediately. Agency and purpose has been taken away from a lot of them. And the internet and other modern media provide both escape and the illusions of such things.

The problem with this now, as opposed to folks reaching out on the internet earlier. Is that the social hierarchy and other crap is on there too.

 

[Something Amyss]

I think there is some strange belief out there where if you lack empathy it means you are a stronger better person. It's kind of disgusting. I mean, I'm sure you're aware of the bully threads that crop up every once in a while where people come in telling people to "nut up" and "deal with it". No empathy at all. It's that view of extreme individualism, "not my problem, its theirs, so they should deal with it."

One of the reasons I dislike tough love so much is not only due to the utter lack of empathy, but because there is rarely any love involved. It's just another thinly cloaked way of being an asshole.

That's quite interesting. I mean, it dovetails with what I was saying but legitimately gave me an extra bit to think about.

On a related note, I'm a 90s kid. Not that one.

Bummer!

But yeah, I grew up in a generation where apathy was considered the thing. People who took stances were losers, except in movies. Which is weird, but whatever.

What's kind of jarring is seeing this apply one way, which is what happens most of the time I've seen. People lack empathy but something that happens to them is the worst thing in the world. People on the internet hate being picked on, but when it's someone else they're all "whatever, dude."

It's individualism when it suits them.

Kind of like the "libertarian" stance of "socialism for me, free market for everyone else."

Nah, it was a joke, no worries.

ah, cool.

...Well then...Good one.

...Carry on...

>.>

 

[TallanKhan]

Bullying has always been a catalyst for suicide, what scares people (and as such, sells papers) about cyber-bullying is the idea that it can be so difficult to prevent. With cyber bullying there are no bruises or wintesses, and a child's home stops being a safe place, if a child has a laptop or a pc in their room they can be reached while they are at home, where they should be safe.

If you were to look at figures for bullying-related suicides i would imagine (and this is entirely speculation on my part as I have done no research at all) that deaths as a result of cyber-bullying are a tiny minority of these. However, it does make a nice, juicy target.