Melly's Musings: Cyber Bullying
Morning. I hadn't planned to write this post - it wasn't scheduled or anything like that but I decided that something needed to be said.
Over the past few days, I've had a couple of rather unpleasant comments on here. I won't dwell on them but the first one was a little cheeky. The second was downright mean and nasty. Now, I'm all for constructive criticism and I work constantly to improve the quality of what's on the blog, with regular features etc. And even invested in (read: was gifted with) a new camera.
So, you have to understand that the blog is a work in progress. Also, might I add, a hobby. I work full time.
One comment asked me my 'credentials'. My job is in Marketing, within the internet development team of a top UK jeweller. I don't need credentials to write a blog.
Being a blogger is about having an interest in something. It's also about being brave enough to put yourself out there and I will always expect comments from people. It never benefits an individual for them to be told how wonderful they are all the time. But it's also classed as bullying to out-and-out criticise somebody on something as inoffensive as a blog post about what to wear for the new term. Which, might I add was a requested post.
Everything contained within this blog is my own opinion and stems from my own interest. Hence the name 'Inside Melly's Mind'. My blog is my own personal space. Trolling a blog is like posting hate mail through somebody's letterbox. Or insulting them in their own home. It's unacceptable, in either instance. This blog and any blog that I consider respectable does not tolerate bullying.
Maybe the commenter is a friend who took a joke too far. Note: you are no longer my friend. Maybe they genuinely don't like me. If the case is the latter, join the queue. If what is on my blog isn't to your taste, I'm sure there are plenty of blogs out there that are to your taste. That is after all the whole point of the blogosphere, isn't it? Everybody finds their own little space and maybe, just maybe, you'll find others who agree with you. And it's those moments that make your hard work worthwhile. Some people will like what I wear and some people won't. Such is life. Such is the nature of fashion.
So, this isn't a rant exactly, but it is a reminder that it's never okay to spout poisonous rubbish to others. And also that this blog does not tolerate hatred in any way, shape or form. Virtual or otherwise. I am a supporter of the campaign started by Gem who writes From Gem With Love. There is a page dedicated to this campaign, which can be found here.
If you've experienced anything like I've mentioned, I want to encourage you to be resilient. Don't necessarily blog for other people. If you love what you do, there will inevitably be people who appreciate it. There will also be people who feel like it's okay to be mean to you. The most important thing is that you enjoy what you do. And as long as it doesn't harm anybody, keep on going. My lovely friend Amanda, who is also a blogger (you can check her brilliant blog out here) gave me some lovely advice.
Over the past few days, I've had a couple of rather unpleasant comments on here. I won't dwell on them but the first one was a little cheeky. The second was downright mean and nasty. Now, I'm all for constructive criticism and I work constantly to improve the quality of what's on the blog, with regular features etc. And even invested in (read: was gifted with) a new camera.
So, you have to understand that the blog is a work in progress. Also, might I add, a hobby. I work full time.
One comment asked me my 'credentials'. My job is in Marketing, within the internet development team of a top UK jeweller. I don't need credentials to write a blog.
Being a blogger is about having an interest in something. It's also about being brave enough to put yourself out there and I will always expect comments from people. It never benefits an individual for them to be told how wonderful they are all the time. But it's also classed as bullying to out-and-out criticise somebody on something as inoffensive as a blog post about what to wear for the new term. Which, might I add was a requested post.
Everything contained within this blog is my own opinion and stems from my own interest. Hence the name 'Inside Melly's Mind'. My blog is my own personal space. Trolling a blog is like posting hate mail through somebody's letterbox. Or insulting them in their own home. It's unacceptable, in either instance. This blog and any blog that I consider respectable does not tolerate bullying.
Maybe the commenter is a friend who took a joke too far. Note: you are no longer my friend. Maybe they genuinely don't like me. If the case is the latter, join the queue. If what is on my blog isn't to your taste, I'm sure there are plenty of blogs out there that are to your taste. That is after all the whole point of the blogosphere, isn't it? Everybody finds their own little space and maybe, just maybe, you'll find others who agree with you. And it's those moments that make your hard work worthwhile. Some people will like what I wear and some people won't. Such is life. Such is the nature of fashion.
So, this isn't a rant exactly, but it is a reminder that it's never okay to spout poisonous rubbish to others. And also that this blog does not tolerate hatred in any way, shape or form. Virtual or otherwise. I am a supporter of the campaign started by Gem who writes From Gem With Love. There is a page dedicated to this campaign, which can be found here.
If you've experienced anything like I've mentioned, I want to encourage you to be resilient. Don't necessarily blog for other people. If you love what you do, there will inevitably be people who appreciate it. There will also be people who feel like it's okay to be mean to you. The most important thing is that you enjoy what you do. And as long as it doesn't harm anybody, keep on going. My lovely friend Amanda, who is also a blogger (you can check her brilliant blog out here) gave me some lovely advice.
Thanks, Amanda. That is exactly what I will be doing.
Much love,
Well to whoever is a fool and thinks being mean is anyway constructive criticism... Grow up and man up! Hiding behind a computer screen to say mean things... Well they won't be exactly listened to, more just ignored!
ReplyDeleteThis blog is fab and will only get more interest, positive interest at that :-)
Keep going and writing melly :-) xxx
Well, this is just lovely. Thanks, Dix :)
ReplyDeleteAll you can do is carry on. Appreciate great comments (and friends) like this xx
Thank you for inlcuding my blog link and my twitter comment.
ReplyDeleteI, for one, love your blog, and as you so rightly put as long as you enjoy what you're doing, it doesn't matter what anybody else thinks.
It's a shame that one rotten person can have such an impact on blogging. Most people in the blogisphere are kind and lovely, and it's a shame that a small hand full of people can ruin that feeling of community.
Glad you've stood up to them, and wrote this blog post. It needed to be said.
xx
Thank you, Amanda. This comment means a lot.
ReplyDeleteI'm very excited about both of our blogs.And shall continue to enjoy what I'm doing.
Thank you again
xx
An impressive share, I just given this onto a colleague who was doing a little analysis on this. And he in fact bought me breakfast because I found it for him.. smile. So let me reword that: Thnx for the treat! But yeah Thnkx for spending the time to discuss this, I feel strongly about it and love reading more on this topic. If possible, as you become expertise, would you mind updating your blog with more details? It is highly helpful for me. Big thumb up for this blog post!
ReplyDeleteHi 'Anonymous'.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for the feedback on the post. I'm glad it was helpful to you. I'm certainly no expert on the subject but felt that I had to write from experience in this case and address the issue.
Melly xx
Just wish to say your article is as surprising. The clearness in your post is just great and i can assume you are an expert on this subject. Well with your permission let me to grab your feed to keep updated with forthcoming post. Thanks a million and please carry on the rewarding work.
ReplyDeleteWelcome to my website [url=http://www.about-dogs.zoomshare.com/]www.about-dogs.zoomshare.com[/url].
As aforementioned, I'm certainly no expert. Feel free to subscribe, yes, that would be great. Thanks
ReplyDeleteMelly xx
Happen to be trying to find this and learned much more than anticipated in this article. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteyou have a great blog here! would you like to make some invite posts on my blog?
ReplyDeleteWell I could consider it, if you'd written your name/left your URL
ReplyDeleteMelly
People who comment negatively on things confuse me. If you don't like, why stay? Why not spend your internet-time with things you actually like?
ReplyDeleteI love your response to this. Strong and level-headed.
It's very true, Kristian. It's evident that some people have very little happening in their own worlds. Thank you for stopping by and for your encouragement :) x
DeleteWow - agree wholeheartedly with everything. People don't seem to understand blogs. It's one of the reasons I'd rather my blog wasn't discussed amongst people I know, as to me it's unofrtunately inevitable that they will then see me as some super-vain 'think she knows it all', when infact, my blog stands for the complete opposite reasons, as I'm shy so my blog is about me gaining confidence.
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear about the nasty comments you were left :( luckily I've not recieved any directly, but I'm pretty sure I've seen the occassional mick taking from old school friends! Also some woman made a comment about my style being boring and standard on facebook - and yes, it is pretty plain, I'm just an average student, but where does that comment get her?! No where. Except for looking like a mean 40 or so year old woman with nothing better to do.
It infuriates me that people can't just quit a webpage if they don't like it. We change the channel on the TV if we'd rather not look at something, so why can't people treat blogs in the same way.
xx