This isn't about anything in particular here on TCS, just wanted to share my own experiences as both a forum member (on other boards) regarding something that I know bothers some members here as well from time to time.
The topic of online bullying or cyber bullying isn't new. Turns out it's a major problem with teenagers these days. You can read more about it here -
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyber-bullying
It happened to me on another board. A webmasters board, where I have been posting for a while about professional topics. One day, a new poster came waltzing in, and attacked another member, in what I thought was a vicious and unprovoked way. I said as much in the thread, and that was all it took.
As you probably realize by now, rules as well as moderating practices there were a bit different than what they are on TCS
Mods there try to stay out of things whenever they can and leave it to the members to handle situations by themselves.
Ever since I replied to that thread, that person took it upon himself to hunt down my posts on the forum and reply in obnoxious ways. First few days, I actually replied back and bickering ensued. I experienced first-hand how stressful these things can be (I had a lot of you guys in mind during those days - it was refreshing seeing forum life WITHOUT being able to hit the edit button on other people's posts
).
As is only to be expected, things were escalating. That member was trying to push my buttons with an expressed goal of driving me away from that board. He almost just made it. It was very tempting to just let go and leave the place. However, I did have some long-term professional interests vested in there. Then I remembered what we advise our members to do in such situations and I did just that - I put him on Ignore.
What a wonderful feature for Vbulletin! The guy simply disappeared from my life! I wasn't seeing his posts or receiving his nasty PM's anymore. I don't even know for how long he carried out any attacks on me, if at all. I've been told later that he left soon after - I can only guess and hope that he tired of his bullying without getting any response whatsoever.
Just thought I'd share the story here. I am grateful that we have different practices here on TCS. Open bullying can't take place on the forums. Innuendos and PM's can be blocked with the ignore button, and I hope everyone can feel at home here
The topic of online bullying or cyber bullying isn't new. Turns out it's a major problem with teenagers these days. You can read more about it here -
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyber-bullying
It happened to me on another board. A webmasters board, where I have been posting for a while about professional topics. One day, a new poster came waltzing in, and attacked another member, in what I thought was a vicious and unprovoked way. I said as much in the thread, and that was all it took.
As you probably realize by now, rules as well as moderating practices there were a bit different than what they are on TCS
Ever since I replied to that thread, that person took it upon himself to hunt down my posts on the forum and reply in obnoxious ways. First few days, I actually replied back and bickering ensued. I experienced first-hand how stressful these things can be (I had a lot of you guys in mind during those days - it was refreshing seeing forum life WITHOUT being able to hit the edit button on other people's posts
As is only to be expected, things were escalating. That member was trying to push my buttons with an expressed goal of driving me away from that board. He almost just made it. It was very tempting to just let go and leave the place. However, I did have some long-term professional interests vested in there. Then I remembered what we advise our members to do in such situations and I did just that - I put him on Ignore.
What a wonderful feature for Vbulletin! The guy simply disappeared from my life! I wasn't seeing his posts or receiving his nasty PM's anymore. I don't even know for how long he carried out any attacks on me, if at all. I've been told later that he left soon after - I can only guess and hope that he tired of his bullying without getting any response whatsoever.
Just thought I'd share the story here. I am grateful that we have different practices here on TCS. Open bullying can't take place on the forums. Innuendos and PM's can be blocked with the ignore button, and I hope everyone can feel at home here