I am a big fan of Night line. Tonight they had a story that I felt needed commenting on. It was about and eleven year old girl who made you tube videos ranting about "haters" and other bullies who were bothering her online.
Now you might ask why this is important on a public policy blog, well anti bullying legislation took off a few years ago and is starting to extend to the internet. I am sure that you have heard about the recent suicides of young girls bullied both online and through text message. Anyone who has ever been a kid knows that girls can be horrible and cruel to one another, well the Internet has added a whole new aspect to it.
Just read the comments left on you tube video's the anonymity afforded people by the Internet gives them a feeling of freedom. Things they would never say to a person's face come easy to the fingertips. I was kind of touched by her father "defending" her, but horrified as well. I think his heart was in the right place, but what he should have done is report the abuse without sinking to the same level as these bullies.
By now I think the adages of "sticks and stones" and "kids will be kids" have all but died, parents and teachers have taken forever to learn it but they now know that words hurt and can kill. The question now I feel is can we as a nation create a civil online world for our children to hang out in.
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