Bullies Invade "Second Lives"

Seems there's no escape from the so-called Real World. Advertising, business and even terrorists have invaded the cyber-utopias dreamed of by some early Internet theorists. Bullies too have made their way into virtual realms and are on the rise, shows a UK study of people involved in virtual worlds such as Second Life.

Researchers from Nottingham University Business School, The Institute of Work, Health and Organisations and The School of Computer Science and Information Technology set up cyber-based focus groups conducted in a virtual office in Second Life. They recruited about 50 volunteers through this office to discuss their experiences with "griefing" -- the act of causing another player grief -- in the virtual community.

Researchers found widespread reports of bullying behaviors including, swearing, violence, annoyance and nudity. As in real life, power was a key factor in harassment, with more experienced players lashing out against newbies.

"In Second Life it appears that the power imbalance between a griefer and a target is focused on knowledge and experience. A new resident (newbie) may be targeted because of their naivety and inability to stop the griefing. As one participant put it: 'information is power...experience matters,'" said Dr. Iain Coyne, Lecturer in Occupational Psychology.

Researchers hope their work in the cyber world, along with the anonymity it provides, will help better understand and prevent bullying prevalent in both schools and the workplace today.

Read more: No escape from the bullies