# Why does the SDMB condone cyber bullying? **URL:** \ **Category:** About This Message Board\ **Created:** [March 21, 2015, 7:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-the-sdmb-condone-cyber-bullying/715576 "2015-03-21T07:28:32Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2015, 2:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-the-sdmb-condone-cyber-bullying/715576/61 "2015-03-23T02:42:35Z")
> [@Trinopus](#): > > When did you stop beating your wife? > > i.e., if the SDMB does, in fact, not condone cyber-bullying (which is the opinion of at least a few here) then your question cannot be answered. I have not heard that opinion- I have heard that either she deserves it "for being a liar’ or that their behavior is not cyber-bullying. However, if you read **Heffalump and Ro** o post, it certainly qualifies. To perhaps give some of the deniers here the doubt, the definition of cyber-bullying is rather new and most only know about the most extreme cases, which I admit this isn’t. “\*\*Cyber-bullying could be limited to posting rumors or gossips about a person in the internet bringing about hatred in other’s minds”. \*\* ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2015, 2:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-the-sdmb-condone-cyber-bullying/715576/62 "2015-03-23T02:57:11Z")
I think it says quite a bit about a group if they have self-appointed themselves as arbiters of truth and _also_ taken it upon themselves to mete out punishment as well. A combo of judge, jury, and executioner is not usually seen as a positive. ---
**Author:** ![splatterpunk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3be4f8/32.png) [@splatterpunk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/splatterpunk)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2015, 3:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-the-sdmb-condone-cyber-bullying/715576/63 "2015-03-23T03:08:05Z")
FFS, _punishment_? Could you possibly be more melodramatic? The thread in question is nothing more than criticism from other posters who don’t believe some of the stories you tell here. You are not being bullied or persecuted or punished. Get a grip. ---
**Author:** ![engineer\_comp\_geek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/engineer_comp_geek/32/504_2.png) [@engineer\_comp\_geek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/engineer_comp_geek)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2015, 3:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-the-sdmb-condone-cyber-bullying/715576/64 "2015-03-23T03:17:56Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > Again, I ask-\*\* why does the SDMB condone cyber-bullying\*\*? It’s a simple question, why not a answer? Simple answer. We don’t. ---
**Author:** ![Robert163](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/4af34b/32.png) [@Robert163](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robert163)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2015, 3:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-the-sdmb-condone-cyber-bullying/715576/65 "2015-03-23T03:25:51Z")
> [@engineer\_comp\_geek](#): > > Simple answer. We don’t. That really depends upon how you define cyber bullying, doesn’t it? I’ve been on some threads where people said some stuff that most people would consider insulting. But since it was in the BBQ pit it was not against the rules. Next time I will just start my thread in Great Debates instead. No big deal really. But it does bother me that you claim you have a no cyber bullying policy when you in fact have a whole section of your web site that actually permits it. ---
**Author:** ![splatterpunk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3be4f8/32.png) [@splatterpunk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/splatterpunk)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2015, 3:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-the-sdmb-condone-cyber-bullying/715576/66 "2015-03-23T03:32:18Z")
> [@Robert163](#): > > That really depends upon how you define cyber bullying, doesn’t it? I’ve been on some threads where people said some stuff that most people would consider insulting. But since it was in the BBQ pit it was not against the rules. Next time I will just start my thread in Great Debates instead. No big deal really. But it does bother me that you claim you have a no cyber bullying policy when you in fact have a whole section of your web site that actually permits it. Wrong. You don’t get to invent your own definition of cyber bullying as “people who are mean to me on an anonymous message board.” Insults from one anonymous poster to another is not cyber bullying, no matter what the OP of this thread thinks. ---
**Author:** ![Grotonian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c2a13f/32.png) [@Grotonian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grotonian)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2015, 3:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-the-sdmb-condone-cyber-bullying/715576/67 "2015-03-23T03:34:58Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > Again, I ask-\*\* why does the SDMB condone cyber-bullying\*\*? It’s a simple question, why not a answer? Because it’s consensual. People are aware, presumably, that there is a board called The Pit and any post or poster may end up there. The Pit has rules and standards that are discoverable. Anyone who doesn’t consent to ending up in the Pit can completely avoid that eventuality by not posting at SDMB. I’m conceding the premise that cyber bullying occurs here; others may not. But since this board is voluntary, isn’t there “implied consent” that we could end up in the Pit? ---
**Author:** ![Robert163](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/4af34b/32.png) [@Robert163](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robert163)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2015, 3:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-the-sdmb-condone-cyber-bullying/715576/68 "2015-03-23T03:39:16Z")
> [@splatterpunk](#): > > Wrong. You don’t get to invent your own definition of cyber bullying as “people who are mean to me on an anonymous message board.” > > Insults from one anonymous poster to another is not cyber bullying, no matter what the OP of this thread thinks. > [@](#): > > Bullying is unwanted, aggressive behavior among school aged children that involves a real or perceived power imbalance. The behavior is repeated, or has the potential to be repeated, over time. Bullying includes actions such as making threats, spreading rumors, attacking someone physically or verbally, and excluding someone from a group on purpose. “attacking someone physically or verbally” Isn’t an insult a verbal attack? [http://www.stopbullying.gov/what-is-bullying/index.html](http://www.stopbullying.gov/what-is-bullying/index.html) ---
**Author:** ![Robert163](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/4af34b/32.png) [@Robert163](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robert163)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2015, 3:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-the-sdmb-condone-cyber-bullying/715576/69 "2015-03-23T03:40:51Z")
> [@Grotonian](#): > > Because it’s consensual. People are aware, presumably, that there is a board called The Pit and any post or poster may end up there. The Pit has rules and standards that are discoverable. Anyone who doesn’t consent to ending up in the Pit can completely avoid that eventuality by not posting at SDMB. > > I’m conceding the premise that cyber bullying occurs here; others may not. But since this board is voluntary, isn’t there “implied consent” that we could end up in the Pit? So, SDMB is correct on moral grounds, on a technicality? Is that really an admirable standard? ---
**Author:** ![splatterpunk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3be4f8/32.png) [@splatterpunk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/splatterpunk)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2015, 3:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-the-sdmb-condone-cyber-bullying/715576/70 "2015-03-23T03:46:12Z")
> [@Robert163](#): > > “attacking someone physically or verbally” > Isn’t an insult a verbal attack? > [http://www.stopbullying.gov/what-is-bullying/index.html](http://www.stopbullying.gov/what-is-bullying/index.html) Why are you citing a source that specifically speaks to bullying among school-aged children? This is not Facebook, where we use our real names and interact with people we know IRL. No one on this board knows who you are or where you live. Insulting your username on this board is not cyber bullying. ---
**Author:** ![Robert163](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/4af34b/32.png) [@Robert163](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robert163)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2015, 3:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-the-sdmb-condone-cyber-bullying/715576/71 "2015-03-23T03:56:32Z")
> [@splatterpunk](#): > > Why are you citing a source that specifically speaks to bullying among school-aged children? > > This is not Facebook, where we use our real names and interact with people we know IRL. No one on this board knows who you are or where you live. Insulting your username on this board is not cyber bullying. Oh, I see, so you are correct. Based upon a technicality. Glad that we could resolve the issue so easily. (yes, I am being sarcastic) ---
**Author:** ![PlainJain](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/5daacb/32.png) [@PlainJain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PlainJain)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2015, 4:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-the-sdmb-condone-cyber-bullying/715576/72 "2015-03-23T04:25:53Z")
> [@Heffalump\_and\_Roo](#): > > I"m not claiming that this case is cyberbullying, nor do I know much about the subject of cyberbullying. I just happened to do a quick search on the subject for another thread on this board. Your description doesn’t match what I found, IMO. In the interests of more information, I’ll add a description of cyberbullying I found on [wiki](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyberbullying) (wiki cites a website called [uslegal.com](http://uslegal.com) which doesn’t provide a cite for its definition): > > > [@](#): > > > > According to U.S. Legal Definitions, Cyber-bullying could be limited to posting rumors or gossips about a person in the internet bringing about hatred in other’s minds; or it may go to the extent of personally identifying victims and publishing materials severely defaming and humiliating them. None of that refers to the Broomstick pit thread. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2015, 4:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-the-sdmb-condone-cyber-bullying/715576/73 "2015-03-23T04:38:21Z")
> [@PlainJain](#): > > None of that refers to the Broomstick pit thread. And if it was only the PIT thread, maybe. But it’s more than that. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2015, 4:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-the-sdmb-condone-cyber-bullying/715576/74 "2015-03-23T04:43:03Z")
> [@engineer\_comp\_geek](#): > > Simple answer. We don’t. Then do something about it. Please. ---
**Author:** ![PlainJain](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/5daacb/32.png) [@PlainJain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PlainJain)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2015, 4:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-the-sdmb-condone-cyber-bullying/715576/75 "2015-03-23T04:52:25Z")
> [@Green\_Bean](#): > > I think so many people think your husband is in a wheelchair because “wheelchair” and “Broomstick’s husband” have simply become conflated in people’s minds. > > You have posted many times on disability-related matters, mentioning both your spouse AND people in wheelchairs. It’s not always clear that your husband is excluded from the latter group, and it’s easy to assume that he is a wheelchair user, especially since you seem knowledgeable about wheelchair issues. You have indeed stated on several occasions that he doesn’t use one, but apparently the correlation is strong enough to overcome that. Until a few days ago, I thought he was a wheelchair user too. Broomstick, I’m re-posting this because I feel the same way. I’m not to look it up but there was a post of yours that read (something to the effect of) ‘People in wheelchairs are treated in such and such fashion and my spouse is disabled too’. I got the impression he was also in a wheelchair. I feel confident that anyone who conflated those two ideas were not purposely spreading ‘lies’ about you. FTR, I don’t dislike you but I do think _your posts_ paint you as a drama queen and an embellisher of the truth. > [@Broomstick](#): > > I think it says quite a bit about a group if they have self-appointed themselves as arbiters of truth and also taken it upon themselves to mete out punishment as well. A combo of judge, jury, and executioner is not usually seen as a positive. Case in point. “Executioner”, really? ---
**Author:** ![PlainJain](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/5daacb/32.png) [@PlainJain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PlainJain)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2015, 4:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-the-sdmb-condone-cyber-bullying/715576/76 "2015-03-23T04:55:12Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > And if it was only the PIT thread, maybe. But it’s more than that. Cite please. Link to the posts that are cyber-bullying outside of the pit thread on this board. ---
**Author:** ![Robert163](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/4af34b/32.png) [@Robert163](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robert163)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2015, 4:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-the-sdmb-condone-cyber-bullying/715576/77 "2015-03-23T04:57:23Z")
> [@PlainJain](#): > > Cite please. Link to the posts that are cyber-bullying outside of the pit thread on this board. Everywhere else but the PIT is very well monitored for a no insults allowed policy. But to say that SDMB does not allow cyber bullying, when you have a whole section set up where people trade insults like two boxers in a ring… ---
**Author:** ![engineer\_comp\_geek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/engineer_comp_geek/32/504_2.png) [@engineer\_comp\_geek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/engineer_comp_geek)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2015, 4:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-the-sdmb-condone-cyber-bullying/715576/78 "2015-03-23T04:57:35Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > Then do something about it. Please. Show an example of cyber-bullying that is being permitted here and we will. Insulting someone in the Pit may not be the kindest thing to do to someone, but it’s not cyber-bullying. ---
**Author:** ![Robert163](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/4af34b/32.png) [@Robert163](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robert163)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2015, 5:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-the-sdmb-condone-cyber-bullying/715576/79 "2015-03-23T05:02:25Z")
> [@engineer\_comp\_geek](#): > > Show an example of cyber-bullying that is being permitted here and we will. Insulting someone in the Pit may not be the kindest thing to do to someone, but it’s not cyber-bullying. Well I think this is a matter of semantics. I think insults are bullying. I’ve posted this opinion 4 or 5 times now and haven’t really gotten a direct response. Perhaps this is the last time I need to mention it. ---
**Author:** ![Trinopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/2bfe46/32.png) [@Trinopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trinopus)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2015, 5:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-the-sdmb-condone-cyber-bullying/715576/80 "2015-03-23T05:17:56Z")
> [@engineer\_comp\_geek](#): > > Simple answer. We don’t. > [@DrDeth](#): > > Then do something about it. Please. Huh? Do something about something that doesn’t happen? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-the-sdmb-condone-cyber-bullying/715576.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-the-sdmb-condone-cyber-bullying/715576.md?page=5)