Comments for O'Mahony Donnelly E-Business

Comment on The Ugly Side of Social Media by Dee Sewell

Dee Sewell — Fri, 04 May 2012 15:52:00 +0000

Ann’s post only recently came to my attention and your reply Christina rang so many bells. My son has been learning about cyber bullying in school recently and was quite shocked to hear it doesn’t just occur in the playground. You’d have thought that adults would have learnt better but sadly it’s not the case – it’s just as hurtful whether you’re 4 or 40. I’m so impressed that Ann had the courage to speak out and hope her example will start a debate about online bullying that means that people wont be afraid to say and do nothing for fear of retribution.

Comment on The Ugly Side of Social Media by Anonymous

Anonymous — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 20:47:00 +0000

Thanks for all the support and additional points. It’s been amazing the number of people who have come forward with similar stories and I must apologise if I didn’t come forward in support for you. That’s how this ‘ugly’ element becomes so prevalent.

Comment on The Ugly Side of Social Media by Debbie Ringwood

Debbie Ringwood — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 20:11:00 +0000

Well done on this post Anne which probably wasn’t easy to write.

Bullies, online or offline are best ignored but I know it isn’t always easy – been there in the offline world, contributed to the person I am today as I know it’ll never happen again. A bully is lacking in something, often as a child emotional immaturity comes into play but as an adult, there are no excuses other than a questionable sense of respect for others and for themselves.

Rise above them, well done for writing about it and take heart in the fact that the vast majority of adults who witnessed it or who have read this post are capable of spotting where the real problem lies.

Comment on The Ugly Side of Social Media by Brendan McCoy

Brendan McCoy — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 13:53:00 +0000

One way of attracting Twitter followers is stream of consciousness
Tweeting – like a controversial radio talk show host you just Tweet what
ever is on your mind and ignore the personal consequences left in your wake.

What amazes me is the number of professional business people who are
happy to Tweet as (even before) they think even though they would never
do this on the phone or on elsewhere on the web when representing their
company. While they may see it as a ‘Michael O’Leary’ marketing strategy
you have to question their judgement when they don’t take the time to
differentiate between professional and personal criticism of another
business person.

Comment on The Ugly Side of Social Media by Marie Ennis-O'Connor

Marie Ennis-O'Connor — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 13:31:00 +0000

Thanks so much for writing about this Ann – it is a disturbing trend on social networking sites, but thankfully, as you point out, it doesn’t happen as often as social media detractors would have us believe. I find it really disturbing to see the level of nastiness that people show online. Where does it come from? Would these people be quite so vitriolic face to face? Brenda Power, writing recently in the Sunday Times summed it up when she wrote that tweeting is a bit like shouting at other drivers from the safety of your car: at a cocoon remove, you feel free to make remarks you’d never have the guts to say to their faces.

Comment on The Ugly Side of Social Media by topgold

topgold — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 12:57:00 +0000

Based solely on your experience with part of the upper tier of Irish online networkers, you could write a chapter for the upcoming manual on bullying proposed by the Irish Minister for Education. If you want more collateral for your chapter, feel free to ask me for my examples.

Comment on The Ugly Side of Social Media by Anonymous

Anonymous — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 12:23:00 +0000

As Social Media gets more and more mainstream, as educators we need to be aware of the terrible consequences that a tweet or a status update can have. This week, 4 Irish students were suspended from their school for writing such stuff on their Facebook page. As a primary school teacher, despite age restrictions, I don’t think we are immune from this. Despite having an overloaded curriculum, digital literacy is a must today.

Comment on The Ugly Side of Social Media by Christina Giliberti

Christina Giliberti — Mon, 09 Apr 2012 23:01:00 +0000

Sticks and stones may break my bones, but tweets can never hurt me.

They can because the same playground tactics can be transferred online. It’s no different from taunting across a playground and people are ignorant is they believe that online bullying doesn’t exist.

Comment on The Ugly Side of Social Media by Mairéad Kelly

Mairéad Kelly — Mon, 09 Apr 2012 22:56:00 +0000

Hi Ann,

Congratulations on having the courage to speak up about it. One thing I always tell people who are at the receiving end of any form of attack be it online or offline is that is about all the person who is giving it, not the person receiving it. When we can see that for ourselves it often helps us to detach emotionally from the vitriole that is sent our way and it then can do us no more damage.

I’ve not written recently due to a lot of factors, one of them being the very, very negative personal attacks I received from some of my posts, funnily enough the one that has been re-posted today on @tweakyourbiz:disqus.com had the most acidic and vitriolic of personal responses and attacks.

The worst thing we can do is stroke the ego of such a person, as we are unwittingly validating their emotions and adding flames to the fire.

Ignoring it doesn’t always work unfortunately, however bullying is bullying no matter where it is and should never be accepted. A basic standard of behaviour is a must whether online or offline.

Congrats btw on reaching so many people and making such a positive difference in their lives.

Comment on The Ugly Side of Social Media by John twohig

John twohig — Mon, 09 Apr 2012 12:39:00 +0000

Ann, as you point out knockers are every where in life. From your post I can read that this hurt you, as it would most people. You have my sympathy and support. The online aspect makes this harder to take, as you are aware lots of people can see the comments instantly.

Bullying is nasty and insidious, silence gives it a breading ground. By posting on the subject you are challenging the bullies and that is something that will change the dynamic. You are now in charge. People have to understand that by ignoring or turning a “blind eye” the behaviour grows and flourishes.

Funnily enough the people that DM’d you, were taking the cowards way out, my did they not defend you publicly? There is a saying, I think by Edmund Burke that says,
‘All that is necessary for the triumph of evil
is that good men do
nothing’ By taking your stand you deserve support and commendation, if I can be of any help please let me know. Great post:)