After reading about the terrible cyberbullying of Megan Meier, by adults in her neighbourhood, that led to her suicide, many people were aghast. The original news article did not name the neighbours to protect the anonymity of their daughter (so they said) but a blog quickly outed the names. It’s spread all over the web now, an example of justice by Internet shaming via meme.

Public shaming is used without much thought in cases like registered sex offender databases online. In Megan’s case it was public outcry from an international news item, but shaming can include people posting info about their exes, bosses and other intimate situations. Even with sex offenders, who might seem to deserve exposure, Internet shaming is a problem that has led to vigilante murders. It might seem okay for Megan’s tormenters to be harassed as punishment but we don’t know all the facts. I’m not at all sympathetic to the cyberbullies but Internet shaming ought to be discouraged. The legal system has its flaws but it’s more civilized than a mob mentality or stalking. If people really want to see justice, they might fight against the cyberbullying and trolling happening right now before someone else is driven to suicide.

It’s teh intarweb, everyone gets mocked, it’s just a joke and I should lighten up…right? Or wrong?

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    Last reviewed: By John M. Grohol, Psy.D. on 17 Nov 2007
    Published on PsychCentral.com. All rights reserved.