Real Media Real Change - Combatting Cyberbullying

Hi all,

I am presently attending a seminar / workshop run by a new groups called Real Media Real Change at Southern Cross University. Here is their website -http://www.realmediarealchange.org/

This conference is dealing with the problem of harassment online in today's world, why it happens, who does it, and how to support those who are the victims of these cowardly attacks. The title is Cyber-harassment in our Communities.

In earlier days, bullies were generally those who were bigger and stronger than average who could prey on those who were weaker. Now however, thanks to the magic of the internet, bullies can be anyone including some very well-respected members of society.

Bullying can be done anonymously and it can also lead to a 'gang mentality' whereby one bully attracts others, leading to what Dr Brian Martin has referred to as mobbing. (http://ro.uow.edu.au/artspapers/1569/)

The morning session has just ended and there were three excellent speakers as well as a very good talk by the moderator, RMRC Coordinator, Sarah Davis. I will be writing a fairly in-depth blog (or 2 or 3) about these speakers and the ones still to come, but I wanted to share one thing with you that has really hit home for me.

It was something brought up by Lismore Councillor, Isaac Smith.

Isaac discussed a boy he went to high school with who was the victim of bullying. This boy took a different route home from school every day, going blocks out of his way so the bullies wouldn't know where he lived, protecting his family from those who he feared might harm them.

Isaac said that there are not many people out there who are brave enough or physically or emotionally able to confront the bullies head on. But all of us have been in situations where we have seen someone being bullied and if and when we do, it is our responsibility to say a kind and supportive word to the victim of this abuse. Whether that be online or in person, our empathy and understanding can go a long way towards helping this person to realise that the bullies don't speak for society as a whole (though it may feel very much like that at the moment when the abuse is taking over their whole world!). 

To borrow from the Occupy movement, Isaac Smith said that the kind, caring and good people are the 99% - it is only the 1% who are cruel and bullying so if the 99% would step forward and support the person being attacked, it would not only help the victim, but hopefully shame the bullies.

If you are reading this now and you are aware of someone who has been the victim of bullying - either online or in person, please take 2 minutes to call or write to them and just let them know that you support them and realise that the bullies don't define them.

I hope you will take the time out of your busy lives to do this as it will go a long way towards making the situation better and also making the bullies aware that they don't have the support they think they do.