Have bloggers become Social Media abusers?
I owe Monika a big apology for the delay in this article. For a long time, I was stringing my thoughts and also pondering if I should name the culprits. We know how bloggers are getting “powerful” gradually, so much so that they are often engaged for marketing and public relations activities. I believe this is good evidence that bloggers can indeed influence readers to a certain extent.
It is unfortunate that, not every blogger use their blogs for desirable purposes. Hidden under that smiley social composure, we discovered and witnessed bloggers using their blogs to inflict hurt, shame or even insult others. Monika once wrote about these abusers too, and her version was relatively mild. But, her article led me to think beyond just self-promotion.
How will these Social Media abusers impact the scene? Are they helping to lend more credibility to the blogosphere? Will other bloggers follow in their footsteps and unleash hell on others? I am sure it’s hard to imagine if that happens on a larger scale. While it’s easy to say “ignorance is bliss”, does that mean it’s ok to do so?
With advice from other bloggers whom I have discussed the below examples with, I will not name the culprits. I will present you with 3 factual case-studies. Give yourself some time to think through these events, and if you’d like, perhaps you can share with me if you think they fit into the categories of abusive bloggers?
Case 1: An eye for an eye
A landlord and blogger recently had a dispute in Singapore, and if memory served me well, the landlord posted up her phone number in a public forum. In retaliation, the popular blogger posted up the landlord’s number in her blog and actually challenged her readers with a “contest”. It was effective, another blogger took up the challenge and gave the landlord a prank call with a fictitious appointment. Both are abusers in my opinion.
The blogger had since removed her post. No cached copy can be recovered due to a possible script installed. Are bloggers exploiting these tools for self-beneficial purposes?
Case 2: Blogger bites the dust
Recently, senseless bashing and insults seemed to have taken a toll on a quite-highly-regarded blogger. Jakob Lodwick, founder of new music company Normative, has announced his closure of his blog with the post entitled - I’ve Had Enough - due to prolonged verbal attacks in his blog. His mom has announced her closure of her blog too, unable to accept the kind of abuse inflicted on her son. Which parents can?
Note, this is only one such higher profile blogger. We will never know how many more have left the blogging scene due to such incidents. Hundreds? Thousands? In an environment where it’s supposed to be “social”?
Case 3: Abusive bloggers face libel claims
Unhappy fans of Sheffield United Football Club published their rage in the comments section of an online site. Some comments were deemed to be libelous, such as “reasonably be understood to allege greed, selfishness, untrustworthiness and dishonest behaviour”. The site owner was ordered by the court to reveal the identities of these people who posted defamatory remarks.
This is a good read since British’s law is the foundation behind Singapore’s law. A disclaimer will not be enough to save the site owner, who allowed the comments to remain posted.
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Blogs have become an alternative platform for all of us to write about our interests and displeasure. It is important for us to be tactful with how we present these personal sentiments. Anonymity has also been a big issue with social media “gurus”. No doubt the full identity of a blogger was available in at least 1 of the 3 case-studies above, does this disclosure necessary indicate the integrity and credibility of a blogger?
Over my course of blogging, I came to learn that the art of blogging starts from the heart. If one possesses unkindly intentions, these intentions will eventually surface regardless of the mode of communication. It can be a blog, a forum, or even a social networking site. It’s not about the tool anymore, but the figure who is sitting behind the keyboard.
So, what do you feel? Have the culprits above become Social Media abusers? Hopefully, I will get to read some opinions. I like Monika’s version of Social Media involvement, so do read it.
Related Read:
Is Libel a rising issue for bloggers?
Plastic surgery storm erupts over blogger babe
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7 Responses to “Have bloggers become Social Media abusers?”
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EDISON ROWAN LEE
Ed savors the building of conversations and always prospecting the inception of values beyond the usual puffery.
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You know, I have to tell you, I really enjoy this blog and the insight from everyone who participates. I find it to be refreshing and very informative. I wish there were more blogs like it. Anyway, I felt it was about time I posted, I’ve spent most of my time here just lurking and reading, but today for some reason I just felt compelled to say this.
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Hi Jason, I am sorry your comment ended up in the spam box for no apparent reason. Thankfully I saw that in time.
Thanks for the compliment, but this blog is still young. There’s so much more I would like to blog about but unfortunately 24 hours is only what we’ve got. Coupled with other commitments.
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Hi Ed,
First of all, thank you so kindly for your links. I appreciate them very much.
I went to read the posts of Jakob Lodwick and his mum and I’m shocked to see people being driven from doing something they truly enjoy.
You nailed it when you said blogging comes from the heart and eventually the evil in some people will surface, regardless of the medium they use to voice themselves.
Up until now, the blogosphere has been some sort of virgin land. I’m afraid this virginity has been lot in the last year at least. There is far too much hatred, bullying and abuse floating around the blogosphere these days.
It makes me somehow sad to see people reacting like this. But then I’m also not surprised either, since the nasty creatures of human kind have a perfect opportunity to lurk in the deepest shadows of the Internet without fear of being discovered. This brings out the worst in them and makes them feel invincible.
I bet most of those bullies wouldn’t say a thing in real life as they are far too intimidated. perhaps they are acting out a perverse need to hurt and inflict pain because they are wall flowers.
Who knows. As bloggers we face responsibilities, both for what we post and what we say as well as accepting comments that could be a possible court case.
You certainly provoke some deep level of thought with your post Ed. I hope many bloggers will read this and think twice before they start slamming others publicly.
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Hi Monika, thanks for taking the time to drop by.
It’s a sad state of virtual communication indeed. The communication skills required in the real world seemed to be excusable virtually. Hopefully one day it will change for the better.
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Ed and Monika both wrote 2 thought provoking posts. Internet provided enough anonymity for people to unleash their true nature.
If you guys have been to forums then you know about flame wars… I’ve seen pretty decent guys who I know personally fighting (rather I say bitching*) like 10 years old.
In real world, we tends to conform to our social standards.
I believe in “Freedom of Speech” but It can also be like giving automatic rifle to a monkey.
Recently someone left racist, profane comment on my blog. My first thought was WHY? And second thought was “He is lucky to be behind a computer, otherwise he’d have lost few limbs”.
You can wear a cold hard shell over yourself but you can still hear and feel it.
Now granted almost 95% of my visitors are really sweet, lovely people but that 5% makes up with their stupidity.
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Hi Varun, thank you for sharing your thoughts.
I have always advocate transparency, but also at the same time not to discredit anonymous bloggers because what most of them talk about makes sense. Being anonymous sometimes help to protect their privacy, since all of us know there are identity thieves everywhere.
You are right that a small handful of black sheeps have brought this intent of protection into disrepute.
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