Policing the net: possible or desirable?
I enjoyed watching Barkha Dutt (NDTV) hosted show: We the people, this weekend.
I’d like to deconstruct this discussion, add my views here and suggest solutions where possible. But before that, let me briefly summarize this debate, for those who didn’t get a chance to view it.
It was about the internet in general and the issues surrounding it—anonymity, blogging, knowledge and ignorance about this technology, Government laxity in capacity and laws, access to pornography and parents’ concerns, cyber-stalking, account cracking, stealing privacy, cyber-dating, freedom of expression; you get the picture.
Representation: I was happy to see two respected bloggers—Shivam Vij and Jai Arjun Singh represent blogging fraternity in India, and I wished they had time to add more to what they had to say. I can imagine how hard it is to summarize, provide rational view on so many issues in such a miniscule of time given to them. There was also Dhruv—another blogger, who said some really good things as well. Shohini Ghosh was perhaps the most eloquent among all, and put the right frame around most issues discussed. I would have loved to quote them all here, but then I don’t have TiVo.
Okay, so let’s go. My take:
Anonymity and blogging: Barkha Dutt was honest enough to confess that this topic doesn’t sit well with her. It’s her opinion, I have nothing to say, of course. In the same breath, I respect anyone choosing anonymity. My simple reasoning—there are more people doing good things under the protection of anonymity than there are bad ones using it for their personal gains and motives.
I actually believe anonymity is a good shield, especially when the odds are against him or her, in terms of the technical knowhow, for example. You can walk away and no harm done—unless you do something really bad, of course.
How should people deal with someone expressing under anonymity?
Well, look at the content and be a judge yourself; all within the framework of respecting other’s opinion. Agree to disagree—if you have to and move on. Don’t rate it if it offends you. By merely raising your dissent, you’re indirectly popularizing whatever you don’t like—unless you want it to improve—and assuming there’s room for it.
Knowledge and ignorance about this technology; need for education: If there is one thing that is a key to all the topics discussed, it is this; and it needs to be understood in greater context.
Knowledge is power, it is liberating. It is that which differentiates us from apes. Like someone mentioned on the show, I completely agree about the need to educate new users of this technology. Back when I was in college, the only thing I learned in a curriculum about it was how to program. That is so prehistoric in today’s conditions.
These days kids are exposed to computers even before they learn the right way to form a sentence. So, part of computer education in schools needs to include an awareness course—this is so vital to future cyber-behaviour. It could change the way kids behave, even in anonymity1.
For those of us already on the wrong side of the school fence, and wanting to use computer and the internet, I’d advice a a short course on internet awareness—if available in the neighbourhood, or spend some time to understand the medium. Try the internet itself for awareness—it’s not hard, there’s tons of good stuff. This is crucial to everything you do online.
Government laxity in capacity and in laws, freedom of expression: I think Governments react mostly in a ‘reactive’ mode (for lack of a better word). How do we control this, how do we control that. For starters, let’s drop “control”. Instead of control, let’s try democracy.
Let’s talk about this case—Mahatma Gandhi’s idiotic portrayal as a pole-dancer on Youtube. It offends me, but I also know that no amount of mudslinging is going to erase even an ounce of this great man’s dignity. Instead I would pity the creator’s ignorance, and his lack of respect to someone as great as Mahatma Gandhi, and move on.
Access to pornography and parent’s concerns: Some of these concerns also relate to knowledge, awareness and sex education. Parents and teachers can help children propagate this idea in an educational manner—so as not to be ashamed of—and that it is an integral part of human behavior. A subjective and rational approach to making kids aware helps them be themselves and not feel ashamed about, or acknowledge it.
Cyber-stalking, account cracking, stealing privacy, pedophilia: Most of these are really crimes, and they need to be dealt with using the help of authorities and security agencies. In the same breath, there is a dire need for cybersquads in Police forces around the country. We need some specific cyber laws for these. I really hope we get to see some.
Cyberbullying can simply be ignored by simply developing a thick skin. If you’re particularly hurt by mudslinging—anonymous or otherwise, choose to react to it on your blog or on a platform with a thoughtful response. People usually see the full picture and if you’re right, more people would be with you, than with a prankster. Usually most pranks would die that instant and they stop bothering you.
Cyber-dating: While cyber-dating is really a sweeter and lighter side of it all, there are possible dangers there too—like in impersonation, lies, etc. Approach it if you’re comfortable, or even desperate enough to find your better half. Use common sense and your sense of being human; do not just follow the machine. You can usually sniff someone out easier online than meeting in real life, if you have a nose for such things.
But there are people who like online stuff more than the offline ones—like that particular lady on the show who said she found her partner more interesting on the net than when she had met him in real.
Honestly, I believe in the net as a great medium for knowledge, business and everything largely good. Bracketing and shutting things down is like throwing baby out along with the bath water. I hope better sense prevails everywhere and wherever people are in a dilemma on these above issues.
- I’d like to believe, to a large extent. [←]
Hi.
I stumbled on your site and would like to comment about your posting regarding cyber bullying.
As someone who has dedicated the past two years of my life to Internet Safety education and awareness as Regional Office of Educations Internet Safety Coordinator, I must totally disagree with your response regarding cyber bullying.
Bullying, be it traditional, face-to-face bullying, or bullying via electronic means, is something to be taken seriously. To ignore it, will not work, especially if you are a child.
Although ignoring the cyber bully by not responding back in the same fasion is a good choice, growing a thick skin or pretending it does not exist will not work.
Cyber bullying is becomming a very real problem, and is growing world wide. The results can be long lasting and extremely serious. There have been numerous cases of children committing suicide due to the fact they have been repeatedly bullied online.
In traditional bullying, at least one has a “safety zone”, when they get home or return to the classroom. The bully cant harm them there. However, in instances of electronic bullying, there is no safety net. The bully can harass their target, 24 hours a day, every day of the year.
As someone who developed and implemented online safety presentations for parents, educators and law enforcement, as someone who has educated hundreds of children, and works with over 500 children weekly in a computer lab enviroment, it is extremely important to take cyber bullying seriously. Telling a child to develop a thick skin, is not the answer. Telling someone to turn off the computer, will not help either. When hateful, hurtful, derogatory, cruel remarks, videos, pictures or whatever the case may be, are published online for hundreds or thousands to view, it is extremely devistating.
By educating and communicating in an open, honest fashion, by being aware that cyber bullying is a real and growing concern that is affecting not only children, but teachers and other adults, we can confront this problem, head-on.
Thank you.
Jun 11, 07 at 19:40Yes, there is a safety net—and it’s something the recipient can control—with a bit of knowing howto. If he or she is receiving via email, setup a filter to block hate mail and such; if it is via instant messaging, knock the contact off and put the person harassing you on a ban list. The bully can only get to you as much as you allow him to.
“Education” is what this post recommends—if you’ve read the whole thing. You can’t go online today without knowing some basics about self-protection and privacy.
Jun 11, 07 at 20:54