Nevertheless, Gilbert’s website can provide advice on “fending off” cyber bullies, but it doesn’t have to do it for the kids. Ultimately, the kids will still have to stand up for themselves no matter what. That is reality. Gilbert’s site doesn’t offer to “pack off” the bully like what #58 suggested, but to offer ideas on how bullying can be dealt with. Ultimately, it is the person that has to make the move.

I’ll agree with #59’s suggestions. The site could be improved further to appeal to teenagers. The use of youth ambassadors will certainly be of great help. I still remember the assembly talks i used to attend. Somehow I always feel sleepy during these talks. Roadshows held during recess would be a great idea. But of course, what Gilbert can do is talk to teachers and principals to educate them on helping their students with cyberbullying. That might be his role.

I think it’s great that Gilbert has set up this initiative; I know of a couple of teenage girls who have been victims of this and were completely helpless about how to counter the cyberbullies.

Cyberbully victims are very much like victims in the real world, they are often socially withdrawn and quiet in nature, and do not have the outspoken, proactive personality required to discourage bullies. This is also why they were bullied in the first place. (Hanish & Guerra, 2004)

While the notion of allowing adolescents to deal with conflicts on their own is a good one, it is misguided, in my opinion. Since it is precisely those who are unable to stand up for themselves that are picked on, it is all the more important for these kids to be empowered with tools such as from Gilbert’s website. This is not the case of adults stepping in to deal with the problems on behalf of the teen, but rather educating them about how to counter the bullying.

That being said, however, I have visited the site myself and found it rather cumbersome. It contains links to various articles about how to spot cyberbullies, how to challenge them etc., but the articles themselves are not easy for your average teen in sg to understand. A suggestion would be to distill these articles into teen-speak, complete with 1-2-3 steps, etc.

Also, teens are usually not inclined to listen to talks conducted by MOE during their school assemblies. Instead, such sessions are usually a good time to nap :p. I’d like to suggest that teen ambassadors be appointed instead; teens who genuinely advocate the cause to spread the word around, put it on their blogs, etc. This would be a better way to engage them; otherwise they might think it’s just another boring, plain website run by a boring, plain adult. :P (No offence, Gilbert!)

however, i must commend gilbert for making an effort to help victims of cyber-bullies. at least he started with good intentions.

as for singaporedaddy, i understand the points made and I feel that they are indeed valid concerns. sheltering the kids from the world out there does not help them, in any sense, in coping with it one day. in fact, it will do more harm than good. perhaps we really need to look at educating kids to not take the internet so seriously.

I thank you for bringing sense back to this senseless head of mine. It does happen from time to time when passion takes over the senses.

I admit I got carried away mainly because the article is about cyber-bullying and I thought it apt to make others see the bullying playing out before our eyes.

I regret that I too became a player in this game of bullying, by bullying TOC. It was just tit-for-tat, nothing else. I am now calm and I realise the futility of such behaviour.

Thanks Observer, and Joshua too, for your kind words, even though I feel I do not deserve them.

As your cyberspace friend, I would advices you to keep your cool. Why get so irate and sulk over this ‘cyberspace bullying’ hypothesis (that is my personal view)? Even if someone suggest to put the “bullies” if any (depending on an individual’s perception) in a straight jacket, that is not going to stop this form of behavior.

We are matured and civilized adults and we can make the choice to either continue to participate and state our views regardless or just side line ourselves. Whether how a site administrator chose to moderate its readers or posters, the rights is theirs. As readers and posters, we can suggest but ultimately it is the host of the site that makes the final call. I think that is at least much more civil as compared to raw brawl that will not only ruin your day, if you let it gets to you too often, it does have a possible knock on effect on your otherwise pristine perceptions and thoughts. There are more important things in live to deal with other than engaging oneself in a cyberspace discourse. We came here to share our perspectives but should not let it rule your life and thoughts. Virtual is imaginary and that is a clear distinction.

Sincerely,

Observer (SG-HK)

The solution to all these is just to set up an alternate site like SD wars or something and all those who wanna debate can go there. All it takes is five minutes of your time.

And lastly, even if someone disagrees with the article or the views held by person in the article, is there a need to be so disdainfully condescending towards the person? Why can’t we take the tone used by Observer (#41) and some others here, which is to disagree agree-ably?

Perhaps what would be a more suitable aim is to work together with existing organisations that help victims of bullying. The website can be a convenient point for information, help and contact for counsellors, while the counsellors themselves will be experienced personnel from those organisations.

Just a few loose thoughts regarding this. Nonetheless, it is a noble undertaking by Gilbert.

Singaporedaddy aka Darkness watever brotherhood is a sad sad person. give that bear a big hug :)

I dont post using multiple nicks. I am not gemani. I am not even SD in 12) Singaporedaddy on February 9th, 2009 9.04 am – I have always conducted my diplomatic mission here with integrity; you have to go and ask Andrew Loh why he considered it opportune to derogate from what he took so much pain and effort to explain here.

We dont mind having a debate. I have only managed to get 15. The rest are not avaliable.

If we win, you leave toc for good. Agreed Another thing, we want assurances Darkness will not suddenly appear.

Deal? 3 minutes each reply / 60 minutes in all. Time penalties apply.

Gilbert please help us. Tmr at 9.00 here. If we do this right, we will finally get rid of him for good.

As for the govt, my advice to them is to ruin us all financially and reputationally; and NOT to delay in this task, that is all I have to say; but one thing will remain remarkably true; you would have made us everything, you wished you could be -the brotherhood and after my bones have turned into dust, another will yet take my place so very gladly.

You have lost even before you have begun.

Something to think about, tmr Mr X we will fight here and it will be decided.

SD

SD

Its just a myth! A myth. I tell you all!

Well, well, well, see what your devotion has brought yourself?