Cyberthugs, beware. Canada’s Teacher’s Federation is gunning for you. Apparently, IM (Instant Messaging) and SMS (Short Message System) on cell phones, computers etc. are causing even more teenage angst and Emo misunderstanding. In fact, the title of this blog entry is, by definition, “cyberbullying”.
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2008/07/12/cyberbullying.html
Here’s the sticky part: If the Canadian Human Rights Commission (http://www.chrc-ccdp.ca/default-en.asp) gets it in there collective, sanctimonious heads to agree, we’re all, well, fucked. You will not be able to write a single word against anything. You’ll have to keep up on what the current “PC” terms are, because as a Criminal Offence, if you are unlucky enough to be in Canada, you are going to serve time. And if you review some of the “wonderful” things coming out of the CHRC right now, you, like me, are going to want to run.
This, of course, doesn’t even approach the big-picture of what comes after this? Newsprint? Literature? Conversations?
Wait a sec. Isn’t the CBC bullying cyberthugs for the Teachers’ Federation by threatening them? Isn’t that illegal, then, too?
Wednesday, 16 July, 2008 at 04:32 |
Canadian Human Rights. Now there is a can of worms I will stay away from.
As for cyberbullying, I think this is something that doesn’t need a “National Approach” other than acknowledging it is a problem and then supporting local initiatives with federal funding.
How would local initiatives be supported you ask, well this in particular (cyberbullying) is within the realm and mandates of the public school system. Federal funding should grow and flow through the local school districts and then those programs that work should be celebrated.
School districts should also be looking at having their policies reflect the technology, and the use of said technology. I don’t think that the Canadian Human Rights have any right to cyberbullying because they are stepping on the toes of local governance.
Canadian Human Rights, now there is a misnomer if ever I saw one. On one hand you have the freedoms and the rights of a country that is essentially a cultural stew. Well that stew has to be cooked somehow right? I will stop there NIAC. =)
Wednesday, 16 July, 2008 at 04:58 |
I left out a word in a sentence. and it should read like this:
…polices reflect the technology, and the use of said technology. I don’t THINK that the Canadian Human Rights have any right to cyberbullying…
rant
I left out ‘think’ kinda like the CHRC did when approaching this situation rather than look at the level of poverty in our country.
/rant
Wednesday, 16 July, 2008 at 08:40 |
Wednesday, 16 July, 2008 at 22:33 |
Yeah…….Canada is weird.
Thursday, 17 July, 2008 at 00:48 |
Wait … I work my fingers to the bone typing up that response only to get a smile? =) Was the response that good? LOL
Thursday, 17 July, 2008 at 08:46 |
Hi MDB!
E_D, I made the changes. You should go to your profile options, and add your WP blog as your website. That way, your name (at the top of your comments) will have your WP blog linked as well as that pic.
Thursday, 17 July, 2008 at 10:05 |
I’m surprised the US hadn’t already thought about that. Seeing the back-and-forth about cyber-bullying here in the US, and putting the onus on sites like MySpace and FaceBook to police their users, I’m surprised we’re not making AT&T or Verizon scan SMS messages?
Are disposable cell phones and cellphone cards a good way to circumvent it? I’m sure that’s the first thing kids in the US would try. I already have a niece who changes numbers faster than I can keep up with, so I stopped keeping her number in my contact list.
The Canadian Teachers Federation would just *love* sitting in on a game of Warhawk or Resistance.
Some of the stuff would just burn off the kids’ ears?
Thursday, 17 July, 2008 at 10:20 |
Actually, it is going to be very, very difficult to prove cyberbullying. If I take your phone, and SMS Vicky a threatening message, is that spousal cyberabuse?
They tried doing the “your kid did it, so you’re responsible” thing, but that didn’t work here.
I mean, yes, the CTF and the other federations have the right idea, but a completely ludacrous implementation.
Thursday, 17 July, 2008 at 18:27 |
I’ve tried to formulate some kind of reply to this post but I just can’t seem to come up with anything. I guess I just think that North American society is slowly devolving in to a mass of simpering, whiny and weak-minded wastes of oxygen.
So, in lieu of being able to offer anything constructive, I will just poke you with a virtual stick.
:: poke ::
There, take that.
Thursday, 17 July, 2008 at 20:19 |
LOL … BACK, poker.
Thursday, 17 July, 2008 at 21:21 |
:: wicked laughter ::
No comment.
Lord knows how many times I’ve been awakened in the morning with something poking me in the back … and it’s wasn’t a stick!
LOL!
Friday, 18 July, 2008 at 01:01 |
Oh My, so you attend Morning Wood Academy? Cool.
Friday, 18 July, 2008 at 21:21 |
Canadians are ugly.
There, I just cyberbullied a whole nation/sports league.
Saturday, 19 July, 2008 at 18:55 |
Canadians may be ugly but Americans are stupid and that is inoperable. =P I wonder what this means when all of this jabs are followed up with the disclaimer that these comments are are made in a joking manner and are meant to be a joke.
Sunday, 20 July, 2008 at 08:26 |
MDB, you’re a bully. LOL.
E_D, that “I was just joking” thing is WHY this law is a joke: I can call you just aobut anything, and then say, “just joking”. How can they prosecute?
Sunday, 20 July, 2008 at 18:54 |
That they want to enact a law over cyberbullying is a joke. Like I said earlier, it should be a national mandate. The federal government may feel they have jurisdiction but cyberbullying in schools are a local matter.
Cyberbullying is the catch phrase, key term these days. It is a buzzword that like all the other buzzwords, will disappear once the elections are over.
Cyberbullying as pointed out by MDB (outside of school) is another thing though now that I think about it but there should be a distinction between cyberbullying in school and outside of school.
Oh and trust me, if they want to prosecute, they will. I bet if we look to the amount of annual prosecutions over the years, we would see spikes in election years. I wish I could prove that.
Sunday, 20 July, 2008 at 19:01 |
LOL, but, like the other redundant, less-than-cost-effective laws, there is ALREADY a law against bullying IN school. It doesn’t matter if you write it on toilet paper, speak it, spraypaint it on the wall, or SMS it.
Sunday, 20 July, 2008 at 21:58 |
Yeah, I’m drawing a blank on what to say here too. Well, I suppose one thing comes to mind with this line:
“there is ALREADY a law against bullying IN school.”
This is really begging for a… you know… control is an illusion comment. Hm.
Control is an illusion! BAH!
Sunday, 20 July, 2008 at 22:41 |
LOL, Yes, yes it is.
Sunday, 27 July, 2008 at 13:40 |
So is it bullying when I remind you of how old and broken down you are Mike???
Thursday, 31 July, 2008 at 11:39 |
I am not ugly.
I am downright comical when I’m not physical.
…but my commute is rapidly eating away at my mental health. =)