Cyber Bullying is a Serious Issue! Pls Read & Share!

During my adventures on FaceBook, I have had occasion to "meet" many different people through "Gamer"participation and Book Review Blogging. Recently, one of my "Friends" wrote a very well written post that I have obtained her permission to share.

Today, it is as a "retired" FaceBook Gamer that I present to you a story about what can happen when people (children & adults) take Role Play type internet games too personal and too far. The post I'd like to share was written by another "retired" Gamer who we will refer to as VampGirl. VampGirl played Zynga's Vampire Wars and found that as a result of her own regular game play against other, irresponsible gamers, she is now the target of some very serious Harassment and Stalker type behaviors.

Below is "VampGirls" post. Should you have previously read this post, please be respectful and do not share VampGirls identity.

Did you know that there have been several instances of people committing suicide because of harassment they have received via social networks? It's true. I don't know the exact numbers but I've read of at least 4 cases and heard of several more.

SUICIDE - over social network harassment. It's a scary thought.

Most people, thank goodness, don't have to deal with such extreme behaviors when using a social networking site. They get to find old friends, make posts, and play games in the genial nature which social sites were created for.

I envy those people.

I have a gorgeous son that I would love to show you photos of. He's going to be 4 years old in less than a week and he's a great kid. But I can't. Why? Because I've been the victim of social network harassment.

Why have I suffered this harassment do you ask? BECAUSE OF A GAME.

The first violation came over a year ago when someone copied a photo of me from one of my photo albums and used it as the face of two fake accounts. Those accounts were then used to write the most disgusting filth on people's walls. I reported the fake accounts and it took Facebook over 9 months to remove them. The person who stole my photo and did these terrible things is still on Facebook - happily doing whatever it is they do and without any punishment for it.

So I tightened my profile security. But that didn't really matter because these games require you to add hundreds or thousands of strangers as friends in order to play. At one point I had over 3000 friends, and over 90% of them were strangers. That alone is a scary thought.

In the game I liked to play, Vampire Wars by Zynga, a war broke out. In the beginning of this war it was fun - yes fun. People on both sides coordinated attacks in the game and I spent more time on the hit list than I can count. But it was all a game. I attacked, I got attacked - in the game.

But bad things started to happen - and the fun stopped. For many people the game took a serious turn.

Instead of game-like attacks within the game interface people started reporting one another to Facebook and Zynga. Fake accounts started running rampant to gain advantages. Loopholes and glitches in the game were used as cheats to gain a lot of power FAST.

To cut a long and painful story short - it got UGLY.

I tried to quit the game, several times in fact. I tried to play discreetly, never attacking anyone. I tried blocking the application. None of that stopped the harassment I've endured.

The stolen photo was just the beginning. I've had my vampire put on auto-attack for weeks/months at a time to make it impossible for me to play. I've had attempts made to hack my Facebook account. Some of my friends have had their accounts hacked and screen shots of my personal messages to them were spread all around the internet. I've had many - too many - of my friends unfairly lose their Facebook accounts due to a "report" war (people using fake accounts to send thousands of false reports on a person). I've had threats made to me on Myspace for this game on Facebook. I've had people delete me as a friend and attack me due to this game and lies told about me. I've been insulted I don't know how many times. But most recently I had my vampire hacked.

There are some out there who say I deserved it - but no one deserved the treatment I've received, not ever and especially not over an online game

Facebook and Zynga won't do anything about the harassment I've received.

I've raised my profile security as far as it will go. I've blocked all parties responsible. I have blocked the game application itself. But the harassment never stops.

Now, I'm a grown woman. The stress I've suffered over this harassment has negatively impacted my physical and mental health. Can you imagine if this had happened to a teenage kid. I've NEVER considered suicide, but I can imagine where a sensitive, confused kid would. But since I'm not a teenager the police and FBI won't investigate my reports. It's sad.

Let this be a cautionary tale. Be careful when playing games with strangers online.

I didn't want to admit it and I tried to fight it - but I realize that it is impossible for me to exist on Facebook without harassment related to Vampire Wars.

It breaks my heart, but I'm leaving. I'm sorry to all the wonderful people I've met because of Vampire Wars.

For those of you who would say, "You're letting them win" or "That's exactly what the bullies want" - I say "So what?" Let them win a virtual game that can't be won.

To the bullies and the hackers and the cheaters - YOU WIN!!!

Congratulations!

I might disable this account or I might not - I haven't made up my mind. But either way I'm out.

Goodbye.

Now. If that doesn't define "Cyber Bullying" I don't know what will. The treatment received by VampGirl goes way beyond what can be considered regular role play type behaviors.

I have chosen to share this post only because we all need to be aware of just how serious and damaging bullying, of any kind, can be.

Let us make the decision to be activists for the solutions and not a part of the problem! 

Further Information
The National Crime Prevention Council's definition of Cyber-Bullying is "when the Internet, cell phones or other devices are used to send or post text or images intended to hurt or embarrass another person."

Courtesy of Wikipedia
Cyber-bullying can be as simple as continuing to send e-mail to someone who has said they want no further contact with the sender, but it may also include threats, sexual remarks, pejorative labels (i.e., hate speech), ganging up on victims by making them the subject of ridicule in forums, and posting false statements as fact aimed at humiliation.

Cyber-bullies may disclose victims' personal data (e.g. real name, address, or workplace/schools) at websites or forums or may pose as the identity of a victim for the purpose of publishing material in their name that defames or ridicules them. Some cyberbullies may also send threatening and harassing emails and instant messages to the victims, while other post rumors or gossip and instigate others to dislike and gang up on the target.

If you are the target of Cyber Bullying, or would like to learn more, please visit StopCyberbullying.org, an expert organization dedicated to internet safety, security and privacy.

Reviews are written on a volunteer basis and are only the opinions of each individual review author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions and/or views of the author, publisher, or public readers in general Copyright © YzhaBella's BookShelf 2010