Another trend educators have identified in Singapore is that of an increase in cyber-bullying. According to the latest report (The Straits Times, 2008 http://digital.asiaone.com/Digital/Features/Story/A1Story20080312-54069.html), Singapore has the second highest number of reports of cyber-bullying per capita after the USA, or about an estimated 25 percent of the student population. Cyber-bullying can be employed to maximum effect through the usage of SNSs and blogs, where students ‘flame’ (to criticise or insult) the desired victims, make threats, stalk the victim through the sending of incessant messaging, creating fake identities and using them to manipulate others or upload videos of a victim be group-slapped.
Take 18-year old Michelle Quek, who was flamed for posting personal and revealing pictures of herself on her blog. Unable to take the torrent of insults, she decided to make a police report.
Michelle was visibly affected by cyber-bullying:
“These people have gone too far with their abuse of my photos and defacing of my blog.” -Michelle
“Will I get into trouble outside because lots of people now know how I look?” she asked The New Paper in an interview.
http://digital.asiaone.com/Digital/News/Story/A1Story20080313-54254.html
Cyber-bullying was under the spotlight in the USA in 2007 when Megan Meier committed suicide after being dumped by her fake online ‘boyfriend’. Ms Lori Drew, a mother from a Missouri suburb had posed as a boy online and befriended Megan Meier, who had a fall out with her daughter. She then took Megan on an emotional roller-coaster ride before dumping Megan. Unable to bear the humiliation, Megan took her life.
Her story spark questions about a nation-wide debate on cyber-bullying and the law. According to the New York Times, the main perpetrator, Ms Lori Drews, was initially not charged for committing the act of cyber-bullying. (Source:http://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/04/us/04suicide.html)
Law to regulate social media use
However, the ensuing public outcry resulted in the revision of the law:
National Briefing / Midwest; Missouri: Cyber-bullying Law is Signed
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published: July 1, 2008
Gov. Matt Blunt signed a bill outlawing cyberbullying in a ceremony just miles from where a 13-year-old girl committed suicide nearly two years ago after being harassed on the Internet. The bill updates state laws against harassment by removing the requirement that the communication be written or over a telephone. Supporters say the bill now covers harassment from computers, text messages and other electronic devices
(Source: http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C01E3D6123DF932A35754C0A96E9C8B63)
Watch the clip:
It would appear that the ill effects of social media are not culture based, since social media has brought to fruition similar situations in both USA and Singapore. That being the case, it is essential that individuals are quipped with the necessary knowledge to take the appropriate action should they encounter cyber-bullying in addition to the guidance of a mature adult.
