YouTube Bullying ... A Serious Case!!

[Jules]

Today I stumbled across a number of videos on Youtube, by a user called pruane2forever. They are not good. The kid in question at times seems innocent, and at other instances has used foul language or offensive terms. Nevertheless, the abuse he has suffered back has disgusted me beyond imaginable means. Unfortunately, his front teeth have a gap in between, and owing to this and other reasons he has been called "retarded", "gapmouth", "faggot", "ugly" and God knows what other demoralising (to put it lightly) adjectives.

Here are a few of his videos. Note the comments by other users:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Dm6wwF-_MA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YHKI_FWf ... re=related

As you can see, he is not exactly exemplary himself. In the second clip he wishes the marine to be a victim of terrorism, if I recall correctly - and he decorates his sentence with quite a few strong words. The comments left by other users are, however, hateful and hurtful.

Most worryingly, some people have made terrible videos meant to mock him (and his teeth):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RIeRF1Il ... re=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fywI8DZ- ... re=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PSQEbav0 ... re=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ovLF4tKk ... re=related

And ther are many more!

Do you guys consider this cyberbullying? I certainly do, and am still stunned as to how mean, cruel, blackhearted and venomous most of the YouTube population seems to be. This is sad.

[Disney's Divinity]

Well, I think most of the YouTube population is in the teenage range, and teenagers often love the opportunity to vent without suffering the consequences. I was once sort of a cyberbully myself (puberty was horrible), but never to the extent that I "stalked" or cursed someone like these people.

[disneyfella]

I'm not sure the cyberbullying is being done just by the YouTube replies. Like you said, this guy isn't exactly being a nice guy himself. I find myself equally disgusted with both the poster and all of those people who left mean replies. Neither one is better.

Unfortunately, they both paint a bad name for most of the YouTube population who are simply curious and opinionated.

[Siren]

Misread the first post...what happens when you are on the phone and reading at the same time.

Frankly, YouTube makes it very easy to STOP cyber bullies.

1.) Delete comments from cyberbullies
2.) Block cyberbullies from commenting on your videos or sending you messages.

There, end of cyberbullies. They will find someone else to troll on. YouTube gives kids the tools they need to stop it. Maybe he is one of those people who feed of the negative attention so he doesn't do anything.

[jennydumas]

I have a gap in my front teeth as well..

And regarding to some of the dumbass comments people said on there: Not everyone can afford braces.

[Siren]

Frankly, I think the kid LIKES the fighting with them. If he was REALLY upset with it he would either use YouTube's features such as Delete and Block User, make his videos private for friends/subscribers only, or all out leave YouTube.

YouTube gives kids FREE tools to stop cyber bullies. If they don't want to use them then they shouldn't complain. I've had cyber bullies come onto my music videos and I just delete their comment and block their arses. And go on with my merry life. I don't want to waste my life on internet punks who probably look like Urkel themselves.

Though I don't like jokes against mentally handicapped, I think this saying says it best...

Fighting on the internet is like competing in the Special Olympics. You might win but your still retarded.

Again, I hate jokes with the word "retarded", but it says it best about cyber bullies/fighting.

[Super Aurora]

Youtube pales in comparison to ED or 4chan. Try going there- Those people do even meaner stuff. Besides, it was probably /B/tard or ED that did those cyber bullying anyway.

[Lazario]

I see this sort of thing a lot myself. The videos in my favorites are not appropriate for younger viewers. So when people click on my page, they see allurely dressed men, therefore - I get comments about how "gay" my page is. I leave them up and add comments afterward. Not many. But I want people to remember who these Users are that say stupid things. I think every time a user says something hateful, we should remember who they are.

[Disney Duster]

Though I don't like jokes against mentally handicapped, I think this saying says it best...

Fighting on the internet is like competing in the Special Olympics. You might win but your still retarded.

Again, I hate jokes with the word "retarded", but it says it best about cyber bullies/fighting.

No, it does not say it best. Best? Best would definatley not be something so offensive. Try finding a joke that doesn't make the word retarded mean something so bad.

I know you are a good person, Siren, but this was not good. In fact, that joke is just disturbing, completely belittling anyone who is mentally handicapped, like winning in the Special Olympics isn't an achievement.

[Super Aurora]

Though I don't like jokes against mentally handicapped, I think this saying says it best...

Fighting on the internet is like competing in the Special Olympics. You might win but your still retarded.

Again, I hate jokes with the word "retarded", but it says it best about cyber bullies/fighting.

No, it does not say it best. Best? Best would definatley not be something so offensive. Try finding a joke that doesn't make the word retarded mean something so bad.

I know you are a good person, Siren, but this was not good. In fact, that joke is just disturbing, completely belittling anyone who is mentally handicapped, like winning in the Special Olympics isn't an achievement.

The joke still get the main point across that Siren is pointing out. Even if it's mean.

[Disney Duster]

The joke still get the main point across that Siren is pointing out. Even if it's mean.

The point being made does not overrule the cruelty and offense. Siren should have chosen something else to prove her point, a better joke, a less offensive joke. She could have simply said: Winning a fight on the internet doesn't change the fact you're still stupid for fighting on the internet in the first place.

[Lazario]

Usually, the word "retarded" is not meant as a joke, but instead as a derogatory comment directed at people who are not mentally handicapped. Therefore, in my opinion, it's not offensive toward handicapped people.

[Siren]

The joke still get the main point across that Siren is pointing out. Even if it's mean.

The point being made does not overrule the cruelty and offense. Siren should have chosen something else to prove her point, a better joke, a less offensive joke. She could have simply said: Winning a fight on the internet doesn't change the fact you're still stupid for fighting on the internet in the first place.

So stupid isn't insulting either? Look...you can get as anal as you want about political correctness. I really don't care. Calling someone stupid or retarded is STILL hurtful and STILL an insult, either way. So no matter HOW you tell them that fighting on the internet either retarded or stupid, it will still likely hurt someone's feelings or annoy someone.

You come up with something wittier than the Special Olympics one and I'll adopt it as a new motto for internet fighting.

[Super Aurora]

The point being made does not overrule the cruelty and offense. Siren should have chosen something else to prove her point, a better joke, a less offensive joke. She could have simply said: Winning a fight on the internet doesn't change the fact you're still stupid for fighting on the internet in the first place.

So stupid isn't insulting either? Look...you can get as anal as you want about political correctness. I really don't care. Calling someone stupid or retarded is STILL hurtful and STILL an insult, either way. So no matter HOW you tell them that fighting on the internet either retarded or stupid, it will still likely hurt someone's feelings or annoy someone.

You come up with something wittier than the Special Olympics one and I'll adopt it as a new motto for internet fighting.

Thank you.

[Disney Duster]

Usually, the word "retarded" is not meant as a joke, but instead as a derogatory comment directed at people who are not mentally handicapped. Therefore, in my opinion, it's not offensive toward handicapped people.

Well, you are right that people do that, but I don't think people should call things or people retarded because it is offensive to people who are mentally retarded (which should be mentally handicapped, like you wrote).

So stupid isn't insulting either? Look...you can get as anal as you want about political correctness. I really don't care. Calling someone stupid or retarded is STILL hurtful and STILL an insult, either way. So no matter HOW you tell them that fighting on the internet either retarded or stupid, it will still likely hurt someone's feelings or annoy someone.

You come up with something wittier than the Special Olympics one and I'll adopt it as a new motto for internet fighting.

You missed my point. Yes, "stupid" is offensive to the people fighting on the internet, but only to them. These days, no one is really stupid, stupid doesn't refer to anyone or any disability in particular. But your joke was not just offensive to the people internet fighting, it was also very offensive to the mentally handicapped, and anyone who partakes in the Special Olympics. So find a joke that only offends the people doing the internet fighting or doesn't offend people who have a problem they're born with, okay? You could say something like "fighting on the internet is like wrestling an alligator. You may win, but it's still pointless."

[Lazario]

Usually, the word "retarded" is not meant as a joke, but instead as a derogatory comment directed at people who are not mentally handicapped. Therefore, in my opinion, it's not offensive toward handicapped people.

Well, you are right that people do that, but I don't think people should call things or people retarded because it is offensive to people who are mentally retarded (which should be mentally handicapped, like you wrote).

It's not offensive in my book, which is why I say the word all the time and will continue to say it.

Plus, there is a huge world of difference between using the word "retarded" and using truly offensive words like "c*nt," "nigger," "faggot," etc, against groups of people who have a history of being physically brutalized and oppressed for many decades. The number of people with psychological, emotional, physical handicaps have only become well known in the more recent decades and the majority of cases are and have always been greeted with much more sympathy than women, blacks, homosexuals, overweight people, and people of different religions and ethnicities.

Basically, in a nutshell, it would be offensive if more people agreed that there is a real hatred of people who are handicapped. Ignorance and confusion, yes. But very few people are afraid of people with mental handicaps. We isolate them a little bit, but that's only because we don't want to upset their sense of pride.

[Siren]

One of my friends work with the handicapped. She says they use the word "retarded" all the time. Its like blacks using the N word.

Disney Duster, I thank you for your attempt, but your version of the phrase still doesn't have the sting to it. Wrestle an alligator is pointless? Actually for some it is a living. For others its their personal right to manhood. So it still falls flat. The Special Olympics one still wins. Believe me, I tried to think of something else for a long time. I gave up.

[Escapay]

Fighting on the internet is like driving in a circle: you get nowhere fast and after the first few times around, nobody cares anymore.

Fighting on the internet is like being the Wizard of Oz: you can come off as all-powerful and menacing but in the end you're just a regular guy behind a curtain.

Fighting on the internet is like watching a bad movie: you come in enthusiastic and eager and leave dejected and pissed off.

Fighting on the internet is like being a breast implant: you put up a good front but it's because you're full of it.

Fighting on the internet is like a screen door on a battleship (screen door on a submarine, you dork!): Completely useless.

Fighting on the internet is like competitive juggling: It's a grudge match back and forth seeing who can handle their balls better.

Albert

[Disney Duster]

Lazario, I still don't think that just because there are more offensive words, that's an excuse to use a less offensive word.

Siren, I'm gay and don't like it when my gay friends use the word faggot, and when it particularly bothers me I tell them to stop it. Anyway, just like the N word and faggot, only the people who the word is supposed to refer to should use it, unless you have permission from those people to use it around them and it doesn't bother them.

Escapay, thank you. Those are all so funny. I think the first one is best, it's very fitting and clever and witty.

[Prudence]

One of my friends work with the handicapped. She says they use the word "retarded" all the time. Its like blacks using the N word.

I never use the word, and I can't help but cringe when others do so. I even broke up with someone because he used the word too much. ("What was really retarded was..." "That's retarded!" "The retarded part is that at the airport...") You just can't flippantly use the word and not offend.

Now, as to this kid, I didn't watch much of the videos because, to be honest -- I won't watch unattractive people for the sake of watching unattractive people. It's simply gross, in my awful bigoted mind. In the case at hand, the young man seems to like fighting with the others, but the others also take their responses too far. In my opinion, it should be reported.

That won't stop those who want more "lulz" from pruane2forever (why does he have to have a screen name that sounds like something I would make up at age twelve?) from writing on Portal of Evil, Encyclopedia Dramatica, 4chan, and so forth. Unfortunately, there is no way to thoroughly prevent cyberbullying.