Join LaRonda Zupp as she explores the negative aspects of blogging and vlogging and how to deal with web harassment. This is part 2 of a 3 part series of Understanding the Psychological, Social and Emotional Aspects of Blogging and Vlogging in the deaf v/blogoshpere. This information comes from LaRonda’s presentation at the recent DeafRead Conference, Feb. 2, 2008.
This v/blog has 2 separate video clips. Please view both parts. Transcript provided below.
Comment Spam, Trolls in Comments, Servers Crashing, Publishing Glitches, Personal Attacks in Posts, Getting Hacked, Public Critique…. While there’s a lot of positive things to be said for v/blogging - there are also days where v/blogging can be overwhelmingly frustrating and pull even the most positive of v/bloggers down. So how does a v/blogger protect themselves from becoming a grump, paranoid, defensive or depressed?
Why people are rude or harass online
The online “Disinhibition” effect: People say and do things in cyberspace that they wouldn’t ordinarily say or do in the face-to-face world because of:
- Anonymity: “You don’t know who I am!”
- Invisibility: “You can’t see me!”
- Delayed reactions: “You won’t respond to me right away.”
- Attempt to equalize status: “I am significant when I am in control, or have equal power to you.”
- Personality styles: “That’s just the way I am. I won’t change for anybody!”
- “Mind Blindness” and Blogging: Unable to sense what the other person feels and thinks. Lack of empathy.
Who does this?
- Troll or Cyberbully: A person whose main goal is to insult and provoke others. They usually have lots of free time on their hands and are probably lonely and seeking attention. They often see their own self-worth in relation to how much reaction and drama they can provoke. May have a psychological need to feel good by making others feel bad.
- Kook: A regular member of a forum who habitually leaves comments that are unrelated to the topic or have no basis in reality.
- Flamer: Their only contribution to the group is by making inflammatory comments that excite anger and cause disorder.
- Hit-and-runner: A person who stops in, makes one or two heated comments, then moves on.
- Cyberstalker: Person who shows a continuing pattern of offensive communication, malice, premeditation, repetition. The stalker becomes obsessed in causing distress to the victim. Some seek revenge and may make threats that cause victims fear for their personal safety. Cyberstalkers often disregard warnings to stop, and they may have a history of controlling and emotional abuse during a relationship.
How web harassment makes us feel:
When you’re a victim of online harassment or public critique in the form of hostile comments you may feel:
- concerned
- Insecure
- Angry
- Defensive
- Oppressed
- Powerless
- Under Threat
- Paranoid
Who is to blame? Who has control? How do we sustain ourselves when negative things come our way in the deaf v/blogosphere? It is important to recognize that we each have the power to preserve our emotional well-being while we v/blog. How?
- Don’t feed the trolls: Cyberbullies and Trolls feed off your reaction, just like bullies do in person. Do not reply with anger or defensiveness. If you don’t react at all, they’ll get bored and go away. Even if ignoring the harasser doesn’t get him to stop, at least you won’t fan his flames
- Maintain your privacy: The more you respond to Trolls and Cyberbullies, the more they teach them about yourselves. Don’t publish any personal information, such as your address or phone number. Some v/bloggers may choose not to post photos of their children or family on their blogs.
- Block and ban: Moderate! Moderate! Moderate your comments! Some blog systems offer technologies that allow you to block comments from offensive participants. Moderating comments helps eliminate the hit-and-run type of trolls and weed out the cyberbullies and flamers. Some blog services will allow you to ban certain IP addresses for the really crazy people.
- Keep a log: Be sure to keep a copy of anything you receive from the harasser. If they contact you by e-mail, save a copy, print out the e-mail, or take notes on what they say and how often they contact you. You’ll need proof if you decide to take legal action.
- Don’t believe your own press: There’s a difference between ‘reading’ what others are saying about you and ‘believing’ what others say about you. Read what others write and say about you without owning it or allowing yourself to be sucked into it. You know what is true and false. You know yourself best.
- Get thick skin: Don’t take things personally. There’s something to be said for thickening one’s skin a little if you want to survive the rough and tumble of the deaf v/blogosphere. Put up your shield and let those negative comments bounce right off!
- Find balance; Time away from v/blogging: Getting away from the v/blogosphere and other web-related activities now and then is one of the most healthy things you can do. Giving yourself a break and getting back to LIFE, family, nature, etc., is crucial for maintaining your emotional well being as a v/blogger. Addiction is a reality with v/blogging, especially in the deaf world. We have longed for a communal space to call our own and it’s hard to break away. Take care not to become addicted so that your spouse becomes a v/blog widow and your children become v/blog orphans. When you see your cat or dog pushing their food and water bowl at the foot of your computer as your madly click the keyboard, it’s time for a vacation from v/blogging!
Be sure to join LaRonda in the next part of this series on the Psychological Dimensions of V/Blogging where she will review Online Conflict: Good or Bad? Tips for resolving online conflict and ways to maintain a positive deaf v/blogosphere will be discussed.
Research for this topic was found here: Psychology of Cyberspace, using the hypertext book by John Suler, Ph.D., which explores the psychological aspects of environments created by computers and online networks. This information was made accessible through the Department of Psychology, Science and Technology Center at Rider University.
Hi LaRonda!
It’s quite a very good education! How truly I enjoyed watching and learning
and thank you from my heart.
Deb Ann
Left by Deb Ann on February 12th, 2008
Let you know that me finished left video comment response on your DeafTV Video link: http://www.deafvideo.tv/watch/6240
I work at night shift hours and no kids around my home. We all have different lifestyle…
Left by ASL Risen on February 12th, 2008
Wonderful information! Can’t wait to see the rest! Thanks for the research!
Left by Dianrez on February 12th, 2008
As usual, you are great!
I do see various people falling into those categories. They need to be “fixed”
Have a good one.
Left by Judge on February 13th, 2008
Very good! I think it is critical to educate us and help us understand so we can create our own spaces to allow ourselves to continue and debate without feeling intimidated.
I have been on Deaf-L Listserv back in early 1990’s where all d/Deaf people and other hearing people who are involved, could email and share our discussions. This is nothing new. I was shocked at first and realized like you said people have easier time to express their negative views online compared with face to face.
We are glad to have you online. By the way, congrats on your DeafRead award! Smile. Keep up vlogging.
Hugzzzz
Left by Bob Rourke on February 13th, 2008
Hi LaRonda,
What classification is the person who sent me a threatening email about not attending AG Bell? Would you have reported it to the police as I did? I understood his motives, but I think he went over the line of sharing his views and threatening me. What do you think?
Thank you for providing a transcript to your vlog. Your article was excellent and I’m glad I saw it.
Left by Paula Rosenthal on February 13th, 2008
La Ronda,
This is a valuable message you are sharing! I hope those cyberbullies of all kinds will take those golden messages into their hearts.
FYI, on my updated PC, your videserver screen has a question mark over the QT symbol and the link below goes to the homepage of videoserver, not downloading your .mov. YouTube works. I guess I ll have to go to my MAC laptop to view the videoserver clip. Maybe I ll have to upgrade my PC again. It happens to me when I try to vlog, grrgrr.
But I know you, LaRonda, won’t let that stop your high quality vblogging. I find your posts well done. I admit maybe 80 percent of DeafRead posts could improve their quality. Yes, very young this deaf blogworld is. An example you serve to encourage more high-quality posts.
In peace with C over my heart -
Left by cnkatz on February 13th, 2008
Wow LaRonda… good vlog u gave us there… I agree that cyberbully is a big no no and those cyberbullies are the weak ones. I also agree about taking breaks from vlogging sometimes is healthy. hey i noticed u have the logo of no cyberbullies on ur page, where can i get that to post on my page? i enjoy ur vlog u made. i learn alot from you!!!
Left by Rita on February 13th, 2008
Very good information, one that should be consistently reminded to the public. I am currently writing the same type of information for my company’s web site’s blogs and forums, educating users and visitors on Netiquette.
Left by Hana on February 13th, 2008
Rita, I asked permission to use this No Cyberbullies logo from the DHH-CommUNITY blog. You can find it at: http://dhh-community.com/blog/?p=179
~ LaRonda
Left by LaRonda on February 13th, 2008
Hi Paula. I didn’t mean to overlook your question. I’m sorry, I did not ready the comment you are referring to. Can you give me an idea where to look or what was said? I can give you a clearer picture of what classification this person was if I can see what you are referring to. You can e-mail me by clicking the side bar :Contact me” button.
Without seeing it, I can only guess it was a Troll, flamer or cyberbully. If they made a threat is could be a cyberbully or cyberstalker. Their intent is to cause fear. Yes, you have absolutely every right to pursue legal action for your personal safety. There are some laws in place for web users when there has been threats or slander or liable involved. I encourage anyone who feels concerned for their safety to contact appropriate authorities and follow up. However , remember, you do have some control. Block and ban and moderate comments FIRST before deciding to publish them. This will reduce public critique on your own blog. However, people can still post things on their own blogs about others. If you feel you have been threatened on another blog, you can still check with authorities for legal action. No harm in being safe. Better safe than sorry.
I send you my best!
~ LaRonda
Left by LaRonda on February 13th, 2008
VERY GOOD IMPRESS WITH ME YOU HAVE LOTS OF COMON SENSE. MAYBE IN FUTURE THERE WILL BE LOTS OF CHANGE RULES AND SYSTEMS VLOGS WHO KNOWS. WE LEARN FROM YOU WHAT YOU SAID SOMETHING ON VLOGS.
Left by ALAN JEFFERS on February 17th, 2008
Hi LaRonda,
I, too have had my share of trouble with an e-stalker who constantly harassed me, posting complete lies about my family and me all over the internet, and went out of her way to make herself noticeable…I simply did my homework, learned everything I could about her, and posted the truth all over the internet where SHE would have no choice but to find it - I am happy to report that as of two days ago, she decided to stop!
Hope this helps,
Em
Left by Em on February 18th, 2008
Em,
I can certainly understand your frustration and anger, but take care that you are not responding from a place of revenge. You don’t want to feed the cycle of revenge or feed the behavior of the e-stalker by adding more fuel to the fire. I’m glad the person has stopped, but ignoring the harasser may also work. Eventually, they may get bored and move on. It’s a judgment call. Take legal action if necessary, but otherwise, don’t feed the trolls.
~ LaRonda
Left by LaRonda on February 18th, 2008