Words can have a huge impact on a person's state of mind, daily routine and behavior, and even physical state.
A victim of Internet bullying who is able to filter out the attack is much better able to handle the situation than a victim of an Internet attack who is unable to filter the attack.
If, for example, someone's mass tweeting at me via their followers (e.g. a blogger who dislikes me and posts my twitter handle), I'm going to be in a much better position if I turn off Twitter notifications for awhile than I would be if I let the notifications continue to show up on my phone.
Besides, there are two things at work here. Are you suggesting people shouldn't be allowed to spam someone else? Or are you suggesting that people shouldn't be allowed to say harassing things to other people? Both?
> If, for example, someone's mass tweeting at me via their followers (e.g. a blogger who dislikes me and posts my twitter handle), I'm going to be in a much better position if I turn off Twitter notifications for awhile than I would be if I let the notifications continue to show up on my phone.
Yes, when someone makes a death threat it's good if you stay away from the windows and hire bodyguards to check the car for bombs.
> there are two things at work here. Are you suggesting people shouldn't be allowed to spam someone else?
Denial of service attacks should carry some consequence.
> Or are you suggesting that people shouldn't be allowed to say harassing things to other people?
Depends on the severity and frequency of the harassment.
A victim of Internet bullying who is able to filter out the attack is much better able to handle the situation than a victim of an Internet attack who is unable to filter the attack.
If, for example, someone's mass tweeting at me via their followers (e.g. a blogger who dislikes me and posts my twitter handle), I'm going to be in a much better position if I turn off Twitter notifications for awhile than I would be if I let the notifications continue to show up on my phone.
Besides, there are two things at work here. Are you suggesting people shouldn't be allowed to spam someone else? Or are you suggesting that people shouldn't be allowed to say harassing things to other people? Both?