Somebody Save Me from the Creepers in their Momma's Basements!

Why inflict anguish on a helpless stranger? It's tempting to blame technology, which increases the range of our communications while dehumanizing the recipients. Cases like An Hero and Megan Meier presumably wouldn't happen if the perpetrators had to deliver their messages in person. But while technology reduces the social barriers that keep us from bedeviling strangers, it does not explain the initial trolling impulse. This seems to spring from something ugly -- a destructive human urge that many feel but few act upon, the ambient misanthropy that's a frequent ingredient of art, politics and, most of all, jokes. There's a lot of hate out there, and a lot to hate as well.

--Malweblolence

After reading this article, I've begun to wonder just how safe the web really is. During my early years of high school and even part of middle school, my parents forbade me from visiting online chatrooms, fearng that I would become the victim of an online predator. I used to laugh at them until I realized how serious they were. I stopped going into chatrooms, never had a MySpace and I didn't get a Facebook account until after I turned 18. So, I guess I've always been pretty careful online, but this article just strengthened my fears. I highly doubt I'll ever put myself in a situation where I get abducted (thank you karate class!), but then again, there are some pretty creepy people out there hiding behind computer screens in their moms' basements.

I don't understand how anyone could create websites to harrass or insult the dead and/or their families. How low can you really stoop to do such a thing? Obviously these people have some very serious issues that they need to suit out and should speak with some psychologists. Maybe the law enforcement should create some more strict laws against cyberharrassment. I know that mods are the "cyberpolice" on forums and message boards, but something tells me that we need something more to protect us from those cynical people out there.

Time to go home...