It’s easy for me to be in a good mood and feeling wonderful about the Internet this week. So many good things are happening, and if I may — a shoutout to new life…
My friend Gina had her absolutely gorgeous baby girl — Olivia! — and Meghann, my sister from another mister, finished the Ragnar relay race with a proposal. Of course, she said yes, and I am so excited for her and Derek to tie the knot.
So yes, I’m in the right mind frame for:
Be Nice on the Internet Week is the brainchild of Real Simple Magazine. Apparently, it is going to mostly run on the RS Facebook page, and will be a series of discussions and tips on the right etiquette for the Web and social media, some tough questions about how we treat each other (and why we sometimes treat each other poorly)…and, of course, there will be some perks.
I am cautiously excited about any project that tackles cyberbullying and helps us all to think a little harder about how our actions affect people. (No, Real Simple did not sponsor this post — and they don’t even know me!)
What bugs you about what you see on the Internet? Have you ever been the victim of bad behavior online?
About Katy
Actually, comments on the internet really bug me. From the mean ones to the people that don’t know what they’re talking about…so I don’t read them. Well, I read all the comments on my blog of course. But I never read them anywhere else unless someone tells me I should see something interesting. It just bugs me too much and I can stay irritated about things for a long time so I avoid it.
So happy for Meghann too!
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I love this concept. There’s too much snark that goes down – comments that are taken out of context, things said in the heat of the moment – that have driven people apart that normally would get along! I’m planning on sharing this as I think we all can use a little bit more “nice” in our day.
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What bugs me or more so baffles me really, is why people bother getting so upset and then wasting their time commenting (meanly) about something they read on the internet. It’s not as if anyone is holding a gun to their head forcing them to read that blog or that article. If you don’t like it, don’t read it! Seriously, it’s that simple. No need to be mean! Sometimes I feel like the dumb one because I would never waste my time just with the sole intent of being mean to someone.
Gina @ Running to the Kitchen recently posted..Lessons in photography or, my incompetence
Sounds like a great concept! Negativity on the internet, and especially blogs, is a total bummer and something I don’t really understand. It’s disappointing that people feel the need to bring others down by posting negative comments, tweets, etc., and I really wish people would focus on building each other up rather than tearing them down! Can’t wait to check out the Real Simple page!!
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I haven’t been “bullied” or a victim of bad behavior, but I know that it could definitely happen, especially if my blog sees increasing readership. I have seen bloggers deal with this, especially in reference to that site Get Off My Internets, and I think the best thing to do if I am not being bullied myself is not give sites like GOMI any traffic. Same with a fake Twitter account I saw making fun of Caitlin Boyle – ignoring those accounts/not following them is a way of saying “I don’t support this”.
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The thing that bothers me the most is what happens on Youtube. People will sit through a 10 minute video, completely diss it and say it sucks. Then will subscribe to the channel so that when the next video uploads they can say it sucks, too. I’ve seen the same thing on blogs, Facebook, etc. Subscribing to blogs you hate with the sole purpose of dissing the authors. Why spend so much effort and time to hate on someone? Especially on Blogger where you find the commenter doesn’t even have a blog. Sigh—what is the point?
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For the most part, I have not seen a ton of bad stuff on the internet, but I am also very cautious of where I search, and what I click on. I do think the cyber bulling is terrible and can not believe the terrible things our youth go through. I can not even imagine.
I hadn’t heard of Nice on the Net Week, but I like it!
o.O that’s such an awesome awesome idea and a great way to bring light to cyber-bullying which doesn’t just happen to teenagers in the middle of school hallways but also to bloggers of every facet at one point or another.
Love this – thanks for sharing
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I hate how easily comments seem to escalate. One person makes a comment that slightly disagrees with someone else, and then people jump out of the woodwork to attack the commenter. Things just seem to blow WAY out of proportion and then there are usually multiple comments afterward with “sorry, what I MEANT was” or “No, I was just saying…”
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I definitely agree w/you Gina. Yep. Folks get way-overly-emotional. High drama. Or, possible anger. Who knows??? Scary though.
Not necessary at all to be cruel, harsh, mean to anyone. There are a lot of interesting “takes” on the subject. All the comments are good.
Personally, I enjoy being a pleasant (+positive) person. How can I become angry or upset with females? I’m a girl too!!!
Katy, big fan of your blog! I do comment. Not ever rude though.
Hundreds of great authors on these blogs. I feel lucky reading them. They teach me things. So, yeah, a learning experience. On the other hand, one must be talented and on-the-ball (a big job) to write these daily posts. Got to appreciate. Not dis.
Bullying and nit-picking comes in many forms. Cursers too. We all know of them. I view cursing as a way to gain attention. All of these neg behaviors shows a lack of immaturity. Of not feeling okay about themselves. So, they bring others down. Sad. We live in a troubled world.
Not sure if bullies (in all forms) should be ignored or answered. Most likely everyone has a different opinion.
I do think that zero-tolerance is necessary for all types of bullying. One thing can lead to another. Overall ….. totally unnecessary.
Have a nice evening everyone!
Be nice on the net week? I love it! There’s been a particularly nasty commenter (with an anonymous profile, of course) picking on someone I know just recently, and it baffles me. It seems like an awful lot of emotion and energy being poured into something unimportant. As others have said, if you don’t like a blog, don’t read it.
I ry to follow my mother’s advice: “If you can’t say something nice, say nothing at all”. I just wish everyone behaved that way.
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I like the idea.
A lot.
Ive seen so much bullying already in kindergarten (!) I know if we could change the trees the apples who fall from them might be different, kinder, more loving too.
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