#online behaviour

[selfbiased]

What makes people behave badly online?!

Hi everyone, I'm currently doing research for my thesis project that explores individual differences and online behaviour! If you're 18 years or older, I would really appreciate it if you consider participating in this voluntary, anonymous questionnaire. It should take approximately 30 minutes of your time and by participating, you enter the draw to win 1 of 3 randomly drawn $25 e-gift vouchers! https://federation.syd1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_blxGunPwhPM6yVw Thank you so so much!!

[its-all-down-hill]

[digitaltowns]

Trollolol

(Image by Steve Brodner via TIME)

Did you know that the word 'troll', which internet users tend to attribute to the creatures that hide under bridges waiting for prey actually originated from a term used to the described the catching of fish through the use of a baited line behind a boat (Thacker & Griffiths 2012)? The term was first used online in the 90s on Usenet forums, which was an early platform of online discussion boards and has slowly evolved to today's complex definition beginning with a person who seeks to provoke others online (Jukes 2012, p.36). The scope of an online troll is now broad and for me personally, I have used it to describe anyone from a person who performs the act of 'rickrolling' by sending a 'funny video' that turns out to be a link to Rick Astley's 'Never Gonna Give You Up'. I have also referred to groups of people who band together online to post hateful comments as trolls.

(Image via MemeDroid)

On social media sites such as Facebook, YouTube, Twitter and Instagram, the users who seek out others with the intent of antagonising them are commonly referred to as trolls (McCosker 2013, p. 5).  In a 2014 survey, it was found that 70% of internet users aged 18 to 24 had experienced some form of harassment and 26% of women in that same age range had been stalked online (Stein 2016). What is it about the online realm that gives normal people the urge to heckle another person? The motives of internet users who intentionally create negative digital spaces by antagonising people have been strongly linked to reduced non-verbal cues, decreased inhibitions and degrees of anonymity that lead to regular people transforming into online bullies (Milne 2010, p. 171). For me, this phenomenon can be likened to perfectly calm people who become aggressive towards other drivers when they are driving simply because they don't see other vehicles as containing an actual person but rather just as cars.

I used to think that when people spoke about trolling they were just referring to pranking someone to annoy them for a laugh without causing real harm. However, the bottom line is that so much of this now leads to full-blown online bullying that causes negative effects in real life. I think the best way to fight these online bullies is to beat them at their own game but then do you, in turn become the troll? It’s a vicious cycle.

References

Jukes, P 2012, The Fall of the House of Murdoch: Fourteen Days That Ended a Media Dynasty, Random House, London.

McCosker, A 2013, 'Trolling as provaction: YouTube’s agonistic public’, Convergence: The International Journal of Research into New MediaTechnologies, vol. 20, issue 2, pp. 127 -128.

Milne, E 2010, Letters, Postcards, Email: Technologies of Presence, London, UK, Routledge.

Stein, J 2016, 'How Trolls Are Ruining the Internet',TIME Magazine, 18 August, viewed 25 May 2018, <http://time.com/4457110/internet-trolls/>.

Thacker, S and Griffiths, M.D 2012, 'An Exploratory Study of Trolling in Online Video Gaming’, Cyber Behaviour, Psychology and Learning, vol.4, issue 1, pp. 3-17.

[enbycrip]

Okay, so thing I need to raise here.

That’s twice recently where a friend has decided to lash out in a really quite personal way on a post of mine where resulting conversations have come out as “it’s something I’ve seen a lot of recently that was irritating me for x reason and I’m stressed and that’s why I snapped”. And I’m hearing of similar experiences from other disabled people.

I follow a lot of multiply-marginalised people across various platforms because I spend 80-90% of my life lying down resting and it’s a way to learn how things affect people less privileged than me that is about what they choose to share. And I’ve seen discussions of this from a number of people I follow and Pages related to intersectional issues recently.

All the posts I’ve seen it on are from women or femme-read people, or ones the people reacting *thought* were women.

All the posts have been from disabled people and/or BIPOC.

The vast majority of the people reacting have had masc names and/or present masc in profile pics.

So what I would *really* like is for people to think about their behaviour online - and in meatspace too - given current conditions.

Things are *extremely* stressful right now. News from the US is incredibly worrying. Things with Palestine are horrific. International issues re Ukraine are stressful. Labour continue to make things worse for everyone who isn’t wealthy and right-wing AF. People want to take action to help this and ways to actually do anything are feeling increasingly pointless or dangerous for systemic reasons.

Frustration, anger, fear and anxiety are absolutely normal and understandable reactions to this. What I would like is for people to *think* about how they manage their reactions.

And in particular to think about why something from a particular person, particularly one you broadly agree with, irritates you enough for you to react by attacking them when you did not react that way to other people who said or shared it.

Humans are extremely social, hierarchical animals. All of our brains are constantly tracking hierarchies and calibrating our behaviour accordingly. You may not think that you are doing this, particularly when a particular reaction feels spontaneous, but the *trend* of results says otherwise. There is a pattern of people unloading anger, frustration, fear, etc etc on certain people because they are more marginalised than them.

I will absolutely note that my experiences in this as a white, usually-femme-read non-binary disabled person have been absolutely minor compared to, say, an out black disabled trans women. It’s still enough of a gut punch to me that I *know* it will affect my posting behaviour unless I take specific steps to prevent it from doing so. The cumulative effect of this for people who are much more marginalised than me, and especially for people who have no support offline and nowhere to turn for it except online, will be much, much worse.

And no, I’m not trawling around to find example after example of this because it shouldn’t take me breaking myself to do so for people to listen to me when I request this of them; *please be mindful in how you react to things you hear or read that stress you*. Take a moment and *think* about *why* something stresses you and if it’s something that’s a pattern of multiple people doing a certain thing, think about why *this* person is the one that makes you want to unload that built-up stress on *them*.

This *very* much applies to both online and meatspace. We don’t hear enough about the increased interpersonal burden marginalised people deal with at times of societal stress because they are safer targets to let off steam at, but it’s far from an online-only phenomenon.

None of this means you’re not allowed to get angry, frustrated or anxious. They are very reasonable reactions right now. And none of it means not addressing a pattern of behaviour that upsets or angers you from a particular person, though I’d always urge asking yourself about intersectional power levels and how it might affect both your feelings and your actions before you do so. It’s about addressing general issues you have with people to *everyone* rather than unloading it on one person, and about trying to deal with the increased levels of stress *everyone* is feeling rn rather than letting them build up.

Including those of us who are predisposed to particular behaviour patterns because of neurodivergence, such as RSD. We can’t really stop having those reactions internally, at least not without years upon years of work, if ever, but we can think about how we let those out and who deals with the fallout. (I really can speak to this personally. RSD is *awful*, I hate it, but it *is* possible to recognise when it makes you behave in ways you don’t want to and find coping strategies that at least minimise how you affect other people.)

I’m sorry things are so fucking awful rn, folks. I hate that we, and so many other people, are having to deal with it. Love to you all.

[subhamsur]

How do people behave on social media? Understanding Online Personas and Habits.

How do people behave on social media? Understanding Online Personas and Habits.- The One Liner

Explore the diverse world of social media personalities and behaviors. Understand online interactions and improve your engagement.

Social media has become an integral part of modern life, shaping how we connect, communicate, and consume information. But how do people actually behave within these digital spaces? Understanding the nuances of online personas and habits is crucial for marketers, researchers, and anyone seeking to navigate the complexities of the social media landscape.  

The Evolving Online Persona:

Self-Presentation: Social media platforms provide a unique stage for self-presentation. Users meticulously curate their online personas, often showcasing idealized versions of themselves. This can involve carefully selecting photos, crafting witty bios, and strategically sharing updates to project a desired image.  

Social Comparison: The constant exposure to curated content on platforms like Instagram and Facebook can fuel social comparison. Users may compare their "real" lives to the seemingly perfect lives of others, leading to feelings of inadequacy or envy.  

Performativity: Social media interactions often resemble theatrical performances. Users may engage in strategic self-disclosure, seeking validation and attention through likes, comments, and shares.  

Common Online Habits:

The Scroll: Endless scrolling through feeds has become a ubiquitous habit. Users passively consume a stream of content, often without conscious thought or intent.  

The FOMO Effect: The fear of missing out (FOMO) drives many online behaviors. Users constantly check notifications, refresh feeds, and engage in social media activities to avoid feeling disconnected or left behind.  

Echo Chambers: Social media algorithms tend to reinforce existing beliefs by prioritizing content that aligns with users' preferences. This can create echo chambers where users are primarily exposed to information that confirms their existing viewpoints.  

The Filter Bubble: Similar to echo chambers, filter bubbles limit users' exposure to diverse perspectives. Algorithms personalize content, creating a customized experience that may exclude dissenting opinions or challenging information.  

The Impact of Online Behavior:

Mental Health: The curated nature of social media can negatively impact mental health. Constant exposure to idealized images and the pressure to maintain a perfect online persona can contribute to anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem.  

Social Polarization: Echo chambers and filter bubbles can exacerbate social polarization. By limiting exposure to diverse viewpoints, these mechanisms can reinforce existing biases and hinder constructive dialogue.  

Misinformation and Disinformation: The rapid spread of information on social media can facilitate the dissemination of misinformation and disinformation. This can have significant consequences for public discourse, political processes, and even public health.  

Navigating the Social Media Landscape:

Mindful Consumption: Cultivate a mindful approach to social media use. Be aware of the curated nature of content and actively resist the urge to compare yourself to others.

Diversify Your Feed: Intentionally seek out diverse perspectives and challenge your own biases. Engage with content that offers different viewpoints and fosters critical thinking.

Limit Screen Time: Set boundaries for social media use and prioritize real-life interactions.

Focus on Authentic Connections: Cultivate genuine relationships online and offline.

Understanding the complexities of online personas and habits is crucial for navigating the social media landscape effectively. By cultivating a mindful approach and recognizing the potential pitfalls, individuals can leverage the benefits of social media while mitigating its potential harms.

Disclaimer: This article provides a general overview of online behavior on social media. Individual experiences may vary significantly.

[subhamsur]

Combat Cyberbullying: 10 Tips for Online Kindness

Let us understand cyberbullying, its consequences, and how we as a society can help prevent and fight it. 

The internet, once hailed as a revolutionary tool for global communication and information sharing, has unfortunately become a breeding ground for cyberbullying. In recent years, the rise of social media platforms, online gaming communities, and anonymous forums has facilitated the proliferation of harmful behavior that can have devastating consequences for individuals of all ages. From malicious comments and humiliating memes to targeted harassment and threats, cyberbullying takes many forms and can leave lasting scars on its victims.

Understanding Cyberbullying

Cyberbullying refers to the use of digital technology to harass, intimidate, or harm others. Unlike traditional bullying, which often occurs face-to-face, cyberbullying can take place 24/7 and reach a much wider audience. It can occur through various online channels, including social media, messaging apps, online forums, and gaming platforms. Cyberbullies may hide behind anonymity, making it difficult to hold them accountable for their actions.

The Impact of Cyberbullying

The effects of cyberbullying can be profound and far-reaching. Victims may experience feelings of fear, shame, and isolation. They may struggle with depression, anxiety, and low self-esteem. In extreme cases, cyberbullying has been linked to self-harm, suicidal ideation, and suicide. Furthermore, cyberbullying can negatively impact academic performance, social relationships, and overall well-being.

Promoting Positive Online Behavior

To combat cyberbullying and create a safer, more inclusive online environment, it is essential to promote positive online behavior. Here are ten ways individuals can contribute to a more positive digital culture:

Lead by Example: Set a positive example for others by treating everyone with kindness, respect, and empathy online.

Think Before You Post: Pause and consider the potential impact of your words and actions before sharing anything online. Remember that once something is posted online, it can be difficult to erase or undo.

Be Mindful of Tone and Language: Avoid using aggressive or inflammatory language. Choose your words carefully to promote constructive dialogue and understanding.

Stand Up Against Bullying: If you witness cyberbullying or harmful behavior online, speak up and offer support to the victim. Report abusive content to the appropriate authorities or platform moderators.

Protect Your Personal Information: Be cautious about sharing personal information online, including your full name, address, phone number, and passwords. Safeguard your privacy to prevent potential exploitation or harassment.

Use Privacy Settings: Familiarize yourself with the privacy settings of your social media accounts and adjust them to control who can see your posts and interact with you online.

Seek Help When Needed: If you are experiencing cyberbullying or struggling with negative online interactions, don't hesitate to seek help from trusted friends, family members, teachers, or mental health professionals.

Promote Digital Literacy: Educate yourself and others about digital literacy, including how to critically evaluate online content, recognize misinformation, and navigate social media responsibly.

Encourage Empathy and Compassion: Foster a culture of empathy and compassion online by supporting others, offering encouragement, and practicing active listening.

Create Safe Spaces: Work together with others to create safe and inclusive online spaces where individuals feel valued, respected, and free to express themselves without fear of judgment or harassment.

Conclusion

Cyberbullying remains a pervasive and destructive phenomenon in the digital age, but it is not insurmountable. By promoting positive online behavior and fostering a culture of kindness, empathy, and respect, we can work towards creating a safer and more supportive online environment for all. Let us stand together against cyberbullying and strive to build a better internet for future generations.

[technicalnextstuff]

Apple Safari Browser’s Intelligent Tracking Prevention to Soon Block All Third-Party Cookies by Default Apple has announced a significant security update for the Safari browser's Intelligent Tracking Prevention (ITP) system. The new privacy feature from Apple will allow Safari to block all third-party cookies by default and prevent advertisers and websites from following users across the Internet.

[noolagan]

Apple's Safari to Soon Block All Third-Party Cookies by Default

Apple’s Safari to Soon Block All Third-Party Cookies by Default

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Apple has announced a significant security update for the Safari browser’s Intelligent Tracking Prevention (ITP) system. The new privacy feature from Apple will allow Safari to block all third-party cookies by default and prevent advertisers and websites from following users across the Internet. The new security update on Safari will be rolled out with iOS 13.4, iPadOS 13.4, Safari 13.1,…

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