Why is cyberbullying not allowed on WikiAnswers?

Answer 1

Cyberbuylling is a serious matter. It's something we're trying to combat here at Answers, and by becoming more aware, you can help us fight it!

According to research, approx. 1 out of every 4 teens has experienced cyberbullying, and 1 out of every 6 teens has done it to others. NOT cool.

We believe you, along with every other user who visits Answers, should be treated with dignity and respect. Cyberbullying is neither dignified nor respectful. When you visit our site, we want you to have fun, find the answers to your questions, and maybe find a little more helpful information or meet a few great folks along the way.

What is cyberbullying?Cyberbullying is using any electronic device or website to harm someone else. This includes insulting, revealing personal information, and harassing them. Cyber bullying can take many forms:

• Posting insulting or mean questions/answers about an individual.
• Sending rude messages or threats to a user's message board or in the Forums.
• Spreading rumors online or through questions, answers, or the Forums.
• Pretending to be someone else online to hurt another person.

Please review the Cyberbullying Policy on Answers:

http://wiki.answers.com/help/cyberbullying

Cyberbullying is not tolerated on Answers. Cyberbulling on Answers will result in your account being blocked and your IP address logged for investigation. All users and IP addresses found to have engaged in cyberbullying may be reported to law enforcement.

Why do people cyberbully?Most people who cyberbully and use insults are doing so because of personal insecurities of their own. They think that it will make them feel better if they put someone else down, or they insult the other person to take attention off of themselves. Sometimes people who are angry insult other people because they are not mature enough to think of a different way to handle their anger except to try to start a fight or to try to make the other person feel bad.

Mature people can communicate with others without insulting them. Any ideas can be discussed between mature adults without fighting or insulting each other. Mature people can "agree to disagree" and give each other the right to have different opinions.

The best way to handle an insult is to ignore it. Why? Because the bully's goal is to upset you. If you feel that you can't ignore the insult, you can respond with something like, "Mature people don't have to insult each other to communicate," and walk away. Walking away is always best, because the individual who is bullying is not going to change and suddenly stop acting immature. If the person insulting you is someone you want to keep as a friend, you could respond with something like, "That really hurts my feelings when you say something like that. Can we talk without the insults?" This lets the person know that they need to change their behavior, and if they are friends, they will want to change, and communicate appropriately.

It's a personal matter...Since many bullying questions involve someone's sexual preferences, Answers cannot provide answers for these questions. However, if you are genuinely curious of someone's sexual preference, why not just ask them? We here at Answers don't know your friends, so we wouldn't have an answer. Not only that, but a person's sexual preference is often a very personal matter for them, and they probably wouldn't like such personal information to be broadcast here.

If you believe the question you asked is appropriate, please e-mail GoodQuestion @ WikiAnswers.com (no spaces) with the exact question you asked and why you believe it is acceptable.