Get a second life - cyberspace bullying

News Type: Opinion — Seeded on Tue Jun 5, 2007 6:12 AM EDT

Article Source: timesonline.typepad.com

I've just read about an extreme example of serial bullying. First, the victim was chucked around by her tormentors. Then it escalated. The poor woman's house was burnt down. Even worse, the bullies started shooting guns at her. I couldn't help but laugh.

This was an example of bullying (or "griefing") in the virtual world of Second Life. I hadn't realised it but cyberspace bullying is a terrible thing. Luckily there is a heroic band of Nottingham University academics who are willing to investigate this scourge and then travel to Switzerland on a freebie to give their findings.

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{"commentId":758233,"authorDomain":"generaldecay"}

generaldecay

Notwithstanding that this piece is really about poking fun at academics, I think it raises interesting issues about cyber-bullying.

And this comment to the piece is informative:

The issue of 'griefing' in online games has existed for years, since the internet began. It is common knowledge that some players get enjoyment from disrupting other players enjoyment. This is done in any number of ways, to hinder progress in an online game, or simply irritate another players.

The argument however, that acts perpetrated in the online space can be classed in the same light as in reality is ridiculous. Recently in the game 'Second Life' a virtual 'rape' was reported, the victim seeking to recieve the same treatment had it been real. This not only acts to diminish the significance of it's real life equivalent, but negates the fact that the two things are so different the comparison is an insult to any person who has suffered real rape.

Any form of griefing can be easily combated by simply logging off, or muting the other player, or any other number of options provided to the player.

People who write about online worlds, who neither play, nor understand them would do well to try them, to remove the stigmas and misconceptions that surround them.

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#1 - Tue Jun 5, 2007 6:17 AM EDT

{"commentId":758600,"authorDomain":"masternav"}

MasterNav

Having been a "citizen" of Second Life for a year or so, and experienced "griefing" first hand - this article and the study, and the earlier virtual-rape situation, all indicate a serious problem with virtual worlds. The virtuality not withstanding, it seems many people invest alot emotionally into the world regardless of the (obvious to the general public) state of the world - it's pixels on a screen, electrons marching obediently along circuits paths and is literally as ephemeral as smoke. The question is moot - who is worse off here the "victims" of the griefing or bullying, or the griefers/bulliers. Both seem to me to operate in a marginally functional mode.

On my "land" in Second Life I have absolute control over objects and avatars, who and what is allowed there and who or what is not. There are settings to control even those who try to cast objects from adjoining areas into my "land" - I simply return their objects to them automatically. As far as unwanted attention to my avatar, I can mute a griefer, I can report them, I can use one of several user-scripted devices to move them away from me, or in turn I can simply transport somewhere else. I have control of who can and cannot actually know if I am "in-world". And as a final solution - I can simply logoff. Truly there are more options for this than actually exist in real life situations.

So given this level of control, I have trouble understanding why anyone would waste time and money on this when there are so many other more pressing problems that are truly real?

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#2 - Tue Jun 5, 2007 10:23 AM EDT

{"commentId":2565615,"authorDomain":"kantir"}

Kantir

Bullying is definitely a problem in that game. Anyone who does it is either a coward or is doing it because they hate the person's ideals or concepts, such as Furries.

Furries grief just as much as non-furries. people have easy access to items in SL such as:

Cagers, which are basically guns that cage the player in a box or ball that follows them around.

Loud sound spammers which are scripts that play the same sound a hundred times at the same time, creating a deafening noise as a result to people who play with sounds turned on.

More that I can't even think of right now.

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1 vote

#3 - Sun Aug 24, 2008 7:04 AM EDT

{"commentId":5939140,"authorDomain":"joshcarnell"}

Jordyn

This level of "cyber bullying" is childsplay. On my blog (midcourt.blogspot.com) I've been pointing out the behavior of some people that extends to unearthing peoples real life information, spreading distortions and outright lies about them under cover of "anonymous" comments, making threats that extend beyond the game.. to contact in the "real world"

I'll take behavior I can mute any day.

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#4 - Sat Mar 14, 2009 6:42 PM EDT

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GENERALDECAY

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Get a second life - cyberspace bullying

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