Online Verbal Abuse

I frequent a few forums relating to my hobbies.
Sometimes, I will have a different opinion to another poster. Many times, this "freedom of speech" on the internet just goes too far, when people see an opinion, as a direct attack on their character.
I know it's hard to judge meanings online & anybody can be who they want to be, but it's always like "GTFO, your opinion is pointless & you are an idiot". When I retort, saying that these comments are abusive & unfair, I get told to "stop whining, it's a public domain, grow a thick skin, or "f" off" When I complain to Administration about it, I cop a ban from the forum (has happened twice)
People often tell me off online & they'd never do it in real life. Whenever I ask them to explain, they're like "yeah, when I told you to go kill yourself, I was only joking, it depends on how you take it" I don't find this humourous in the LEAST.
So what constitutes online verbal abuse & what measures can be taken, either legally, or in a retort to this? thanks

hello again,

i agree with you: i don't find it humourous in the least. i believe that if what is being said hurts you, and you tell the speaker(s) that it does hurt you, and they don't stop... then it will constitute abuse. even if they claim they're joking, whether they are or not, it's you who's interpreting what they're saying... and if it hurts you, then it does. if they choose to ignore your pain, then it's abuse.

i hope that helped.

take care

That won't happen here. I promise you that. If anyone ever says anything to you like that please send me the url and forum name,and I will report it immediately to seanetal. The admin.

We don't tolerate abuse.

I'm so sorry this happened to you. You are better than they are, just brush it off , as someone who gets their jollies doing this to people . There are just some people who don't "get it".

(((hugs)))

This is an old thread but I thought I'd pick it up, as in my travels on assorted forums I have encountered flamers ( picks fights ) trolls ( says nasty things to spoil the thread ) and immature people who have bad manners and no class. Just like in real life. My personal approach is to ignore them. Don't give them the time of day. They are an aggravating part of forum life, but also good practice opportunities to develope a tough skin in defence.
How sweet and refreshing this site is.

puma wrote:How sweet and refreshing this site is.

Aww! Thanks for the compliment, puma. We ALL work together to keep it that way, so pat yourself on the back, too.

Noname, as far as the hurtful posts go, the internet affords people an anonymity that sometimes makes them think rude and offensive language is okay. Some sites, depending on the topic, support that idea because of their membership demographics. Just remember that you can exercise your right NOT to post in those message boards and forums. The internet is about consumerism, so deny them of your membership. Other than sending complaints to the admins, that's your only weapon.

You can actually report this, it is a crime to harrass anyone online ... people can actually be charged with harrassment. This happened recently to a guy who was harrassing 2 girls msn and he was arrested and charged.

Have you told the administrator about the abuse on your forums you frequent?

Threads like this give me faith in humanity.

someone on the internet was mean to you? ive never heard of such a terrible thing. you should consider signing up for some kind of support group (not an online one tho, obviously), and maybe even a class action lawsuit. i dont know what having your feelings hurt online is worth, but im sure its lots and lots!

I've been insulted and harrassed numerous times on the internet. I actually ended up crying and cutting myself several times from it when I was younger, from about 10 to 12 years old. It's very sad that there are so many people willing to say things like that over the internet, it makes you wonder what everyone is thinking in real life.

I didn't know people could get in trouble for what they say on the internet, but if so I would deffinetly say report it.

I don't want to sound like a prude ass, but common, it's the internet. Does it really bother you that much what someone you don't even know says? I visit other forums as well and have been called names and other insults but I don't take it personal.

I grew up with my father calling me either retarded or fat. Even if I was still technically under weight, I just had a little pudge. I once went to him for help with math homework, I really couldn't understand it. He went over it with me and I still did not get it. Well we ended up going over it again and I still do not understand it. His response was to call me a "######6 retard" and left me to do my homework by myself. I got that a lot, I learned not to take it so personal, he just didn't know how to help.