Dear users, bros, friends, gamers...
Originally, I planned on posting something like this on the date it should have been posted, June 21st that is. I am more or less certain that small number of you that are around actually realize why that date is important for every social network and every place on the internet where people of all ages and profiles go to socialize, exchange stories and experiences, etc. However, due to some unfortunate events that my colleagues and I witnessed these past few days, I felt the need to do this earlier. Now, before I start, this text might as well be pretty long and if you do not feel like reading, don't, but be aware that this goes for each and every one of you and I am not planning on repeating myself in this manner. Better safe than sorry. I just wanted to remind all of you on the subject that is so easily forgotten, not mentioned at all around here and most certainly not taken as seriously as it should be. Most of you generally knows what "Cyberbullying" is but let me explain it to those that might not be certain about it. All of you that do know about it, please, bear with me through this first part. Thank you.
"Cyberbullying is bullying that takes place using electronic technology. Electronic technology includes devices and equipment such as cell phones, computers, and tablets as well as communication tools including social media sites, text messages, chat, and websites. Examples of cyberbullying include mean text messages or emails, rumors sent by email or posted on social networking sites, and embarrassing pictures, videos, websites, or fake profiles." - From Home | StopBullying.gov
Now, I don't want to teach you why it is so important to pay attention to it or why and how you should handle it in general. That is something you can basically find everywhere and definitions and "How To?" step-by-step help isn't my main goal here. Luckily enough, we are not on the verge of actually needing a "crisis plan", but a little bit heads up won't hurt. Not only here, but on several other social sites, I have witnessed numerous kinds of intolerance, getting even, revenge or just being plain mean. All, by default, sad and pathetic to witness. It always seemed to me that people who somehow find the last resort in cyberbullying while dealing with other people (whatever the motive is) do not actually realize how much damage they cause not only to a certain person, but to the entire community. We, as a team, do our best to maintain a healthy and productive community, away from everyday problems, unhealthy topics and hatred. Even though, at the end, it sounds a little like the Utopia, our experience so far tells us it isn't impossible if we all simply accept that each and every one of us matter and that each and every one of us can make a certain amount of change around here. Only way that can be done is by doing something good for ourselves first; get away from prejudice, stereotypes and intolerance towards different opinions and different thoughts. Wouldn't it be nothing but boredom if every mind was the same?
It is perfectly normal for thousand and thousand of you guys that we have around not to get along nicely with each and every person you encounter, but keep in mind that that person is a person that won't change just because you decided you do not like the way they think or act. Would you? I believe, the answer is no. Why to irrationally expect the same thing from someone else that you just happen not to fancy enough? It is alright. There are people that will like that person for the same reasons you won't. There is no need to be stressed about forcing them to change. I do also understand how some people can come of as annoying, weird, silly, whatever you feel like considering... keep in mind this is your subjective opinion and doesn't necessarily portrait the personality they really have, Most important thing, that I believe we all tend to forget from time to time, is that person you are chatting with is only the person they want you to know. Hate to burst your bubble but not every name they go under is their real name, not every life story is the story that is actually true and that is just fine. Nobody will just go around talking about uneasy experiences and share every single detail with you just because you asked, therefore consider that you
To those of you that have some of these people that shared their true life stories with you in private, keep in mind that they believe in you and that they trust you with something that they do not feel comfortable about in general. Don't betray their trust, don't share the stories and don't assume other people might understand if the person doesn't agree with it. Not even if you get into a ridiculous argument with that person. There is many other healthy ways that could be resolved.
All of you that were cyberbullied at one point and to all of you that might become the victim or already are becoming one. Stop it. No one, and I mean NO ONE is worth it. If you love and respect yourself you won't ever care about opinions of others. As I said before, there will always be people that think, say or openly suggest that they don't like you. That is also fine. You are being yourself and someone else might just appreciate you as you are. You can't win all the sympathies now can you? ;3 But you also need to realize that people that are giving you a hard time might as well have their own problems that they want to project to someone else. Maybe it is not about you at all, but neither getting even, nor feeling pathetic about it is a solution. You don't need to be the victim and you don't have to have your strings pulled by someone that has no idea who you even are. How ridiculous is that anyway? The easiest thing you can do is to simply block them, report them, even ignore them. Why would you be afraid to do so? They are nothing and nobody that has ANY possible way to harm you unless you want to let that happen. If you wish for it, you can always discuss this matter to someone you feel you can trust or anyone you feel suitable for it. Also, I understand that especially teenagers get carried away with all the romances and on-line relationships they get involved in, but keep in mind that it might not last forever, keep in mind that the person you are dating might get upset after the break up and keep in mind that, if they really care, they won't ask you do to reckless things. Don't assume they ask you too and do it yourself and don't accept that kind of request. If they mind that, it is their problem.
And finally, for all others that do not belong into any of these two groups, you are a part of this large community. There is a lot of you and not enough of us. Therefore, I ask you to report any case of cyberbullying, no matter how harmless it seems like, if you have a feeling that it is indeed that. We appreciate all of your efforts to help us get aware of all the things that are going on around here. And again, if you witness an attack like this, try to stop it decently but don't get provoked. It will only make things worse. If the person doesn't seem to plan on stopping it, report it to us for we can do something about it when nobody else can. Don't take sides just to attack and insult other person. You are welcome to express your opinion, but being persistent and in a manner of humiliating the person, will result in you being treated the same way as any other verbal abuser.
With all this said, I want to thank everyone that got to this sentence because it means you took some time to read all of my blabbering and you deserve a cookie ;3 Even though I wrote this, I am positive the entire Team agrees, so consider this made by all of us. No matter how certain people are that we love banning and muting people and love being called names, we don't. Not as much as you would like to. Therefore, it is again concluded that you will get a respect for a respect and tolerance for tolerance. Not just by our Team, but from other users as well.
Take care you all.
Sincerely,
Team Members
Originally, I planned on posting something like this on the date it should have been posted, June 21st that is. I am more or less certain that small number of you that are around actually realize why that date is important for every social network and every place on the internet where people of all ages and profiles go to socialize, exchange stories and experiences, etc. However, due to some unfortunate events that my colleagues and I witnessed these past few days, I felt the need to do this earlier. Now, before I start, this text might as well be pretty long and if you do not feel like reading, don't, but be aware that this goes for each and every one of you and I am not planning on repeating myself in this manner. Better safe than sorry. I just wanted to remind all of you on the subject that is so easily forgotten, not mentioned at all around here and most certainly not taken as seriously as it should be. Most of you generally knows what "Cyberbullying" is but let me explain it to those that might not be certain about it. All of you that do know about it, please, bear with me through this first part. Thank you.
"Cyberbullying is bullying that takes place using electronic technology. Electronic technology includes devices and equipment such as cell phones, computers, and tablets as well as communication tools including social media sites, text messages, chat, and websites. Examples of cyberbullying include mean text messages or emails, rumors sent by email or posted on social networking sites, and embarrassing pictures, videos, websites, or fake profiles." - From Home | StopBullying.gov
Now, I don't want to teach you why it is so important to pay attention to it or why and how you should handle it in general. That is something you can basically find everywhere and definitions and "How To?" step-by-step help isn't my main goal here. Luckily enough, we are not on the verge of actually needing a "crisis plan", but a little bit heads up won't hurt. Not only here, but on several other social sites, I have witnessed numerous kinds of intolerance, getting even, revenge or just being plain mean. All, by default, sad and pathetic to witness. It always seemed to me that people who somehow find the last resort in cyberbullying while dealing with other people (whatever the motive is) do not actually realize how much damage they cause not only to a certain person, but to the entire community. We, as a team, do our best to maintain a healthy and productive community, away from everyday problems, unhealthy topics and hatred. Even though, at the end, it sounds a little like the Utopia, our experience so far tells us it isn't impossible if we all simply accept that each and every one of us matter and that each and every one of us can make a certain amount of change around here. Only way that can be done is by doing something good for ourselves first; get away from prejudice, stereotypes and intolerance towards different opinions and different thoughts. Wouldn't it be nothing but boredom if every mind was the same?
It is perfectly normal for thousand and thousand of you guys that we have around not to get along nicely with each and every person you encounter, but keep in mind that that person is a person that won't change just because you decided you do not like the way they think or act. Would you? I believe, the answer is no. Why to irrationally expect the same thing from someone else that you just happen not to fancy enough? It is alright. There are people that will like that person for the same reasons you won't. There is no need to be stressed about forcing them to change. I do also understand how some people can come of as annoying, weird, silly, whatever you feel like considering... keep in mind this is your subjective opinion and doesn't necessarily portrait the personality they really have, Most important thing, that I believe we all tend to forget from time to time, is that person you are chatting with is only the person they want you to know. Hate to burst your bubble but not every name they go under is their real name, not every life story is the story that is actually true and that is just fine. Nobody will just go around talking about uneasy experiences and share every single detail with you just because you asked, therefore consider that you
DON'T KNOW THE PERSON YOU ARE TALKING TO
You can't possibly know if they are suicidal, depressed, are they here to look for friends, to just kill the time and hang out, to run away from problems... From experience, people that really do have problems that they are coping with may just come off as the happiest and even the most annoying people around. So before you call someone "annoying", or tell them to "get a life", think about this first. If you don't feel like having a conversation with that person, a simple but clever ignore or just laying off from the chat a bit, will do a better job than insulting them. Even though this may sound a little stretched in this case, because a lot of people believe just intense, repetitive and severe cases of cyberbullying lead to disaster, we know that the biggest disasters like Amanda Todd, Ryan Halligan, Megan Meier, and many other cases that I suggest you look up, all started with simple things. So, before you decide to spam someone's profile, openly and with hostility tell them they're not welcome, spread rumors about them or simply turn other people against them, think about how was their day, how do they feel and what consequences that could lead to. To those of you that have some of these people that shared their true life stories with you in private, keep in mind that they believe in you and that they trust you with something that they do not feel comfortable about in general. Don't betray their trust, don't share the stories and don't assume other people might understand if the person doesn't agree with it. Not even if you get into a ridiculous argument with that person. There is many other healthy ways that could be resolved.
All of you that were cyberbullied at one point and to all of you that might become the victim or already are becoming one. Stop it. No one, and I mean NO ONE is worth it. If you love and respect yourself you won't ever care about opinions of others. As I said before, there will always be people that think, say or openly suggest that they don't like you. That is also fine. You are being yourself and someone else might just appreciate you as you are. You can't win all the sympathies now can you? ;3 But you also need to realize that people that are giving you a hard time might as well have their own problems that they want to project to someone else. Maybe it is not about you at all, but neither getting even, nor feeling pathetic about it is a solution. You don't need to be the victim and you don't have to have your strings pulled by someone that has no idea who you even are. How ridiculous is that anyway? The easiest thing you can do is to simply block them, report them, even ignore them. Why would you be afraid to do so? They are nothing and nobody that has ANY possible way to harm you unless you want to let that happen. If you wish for it, you can always discuss this matter to someone you feel you can trust or anyone you feel suitable for it. Also, I understand that especially teenagers get carried away with all the romances and on-line relationships they get involved in, but keep in mind that it might not last forever, keep in mind that the person you are dating might get upset after the break up and keep in mind that, if they really care, they won't ask you do to reckless things. Don't assume they ask you too and do it yourself and don't accept that kind of request. If they mind that, it is their problem.
And finally, for all others that do not belong into any of these two groups, you are a part of this large community. There is a lot of you and not enough of us. Therefore, I ask you to report any case of cyberbullying, no matter how harmless it seems like, if you have a feeling that it is indeed that. We appreciate all of your efforts to help us get aware of all the things that are going on around here. And again, if you witness an attack like this, try to stop it decently but don't get provoked. It will only make things worse. If the person doesn't seem to plan on stopping it, report it to us for we can do something about it when nobody else can. Don't take sides just to attack and insult other person. You are welcome to express your opinion, but being persistent and in a manner of humiliating the person, will result in you being treated the same way as any other verbal abuser.
With all this said, I want to thank everyone that got to this sentence because it means you took some time to read all of my blabbering and you deserve a cookie ;3 Even though I wrote this, I am positive the entire Team agrees, so consider this made by all of us. No matter how certain people are that we love banning and muting people and love being called names, we don't. Not as much as you would like to. Therefore, it is again concluded that you will get a respect for a respect and tolerance for tolerance. Not just by our Team, but from other users as well.
Take care you all.
Sincerely,
Team Members
On the outside I may appear like an emotionless sarcastic piece of shit, but just like an onion, when you peel off more layers, you find the exact same thing every single time and you start crying.
If the world didn't suck, we'd all fall off!
If the world didn't suck, we'd all fall off!
Our community needs work and we have to pull it back up together for it to work. I hope our fellow bros will help us in doing so. Thank you Lobo for writing this in behalf of the Team 
