Have you ever gotten upset at someone while in a chat room, or even when exchanging emails? Next thing you know, both of you are exchanging words and throwing them at each other as if they were punches. Sometimes people get courageous when behind the computer and write some very aggressive and hostile things towards another person. You get so fired up at this person on the other end so you continue with your heated argument filled with words of hate. This is where the word “Flaming” came from to define this situation. “‘Flaming’ as a concept emerged from popular discourse surrounding the online community to describe aggressive, hostile, or profanity-laced
interactions via email and in online discussion groups”(New Media & Society, 3, 2003; vol.5: pp. 69-94). Flaming can occur in any environment of online communication, so be careful of who you are dealing with. Most of the time a flame is started by just one person and they continue to build their flame towards another. “Popular characterizations and academic operationalizations often assume that a flame can be identified solely on the content of the message. For example, if a message contains hostile language or profanity or is provocative or nonconforming, it is viewed as a flame and can be recognized as such not only by the interactants, but also by external observers”(New Media & Society, 3, 2003; vol.5: pp. 69-94). One way to avoid being burned by a “Flamer” (my own word) is to know who you are talking to and to report them to the site supervisor. Online aggression is beginning to be looked at as serious as real aggression, so don’t take this stuff lightly. If you feel threatened or attacked during an online interaction, do something about it.
interactions via email and in online discussion groups”(New Media & Society, 3, 2003; vol.5: pp. 69-94). Flaming can occur in any environment of online communication, so be careful of who you are dealing with. Most of the time a flame is started by just one person and they continue to build their flame towards another. “Popular characterizations and academic operationalizations often assume that a flame can be identified solely on the content of the message. For example, if a message contains hostile language or profanity or is provocative or nonconforming, it is viewed as a flame and can be recognized as such not only by the interactants, but also by external observers”(New Media & Society, 3, 2003; vol.5: pp. 69-94). One way to avoid being burned by a “Flamer” (my own word) is to know who you are talking to and to report them to the site supervisor. Online aggression is beginning to be looked at as serious as real aggression, so don’t take this stuff lightly. If you feel threatened or attacked during an online interaction, do something about it.
5 comments:
Are there any procedures of how to handle a "flaming" email. In other words how should you respond to it, or should it just be ignored?
Do you think "flaming" is a result of personal aggression issues (much like, say, road rage), or is it a bigger problem where certain races or genders or religions can be targeted?
Is there any legal punishments can be imposed on a flamer if I were to make a complaint? Also, is there an easy way to find out who is actually posting these types of rants and if so, how?
Tamlin Asks. "Are there any procedures of how to handle a "flaming" email. In other words how should you respond to it, or should it just be ignored?"
I researched a little about how to "Deflame" a flaming situation. The web site, www.omgili.com suggests that " The ONLY way to deal with flaming posts (unless you are a moderator) is to click on the "Report Post" button". I agree with this suggestion. If someone is attacking you with rude and inappropriate comments online, report them. I see online aggression the same as I do face-to-face aggression. If someone came up to me in class and started verbally abusing me, I would laugh at them and walk away. It is not worth your time and effort to get involved with someone online when they are assaulting you. You have a couple of smart actions to take when you become a victim of flaming, ignore it, or report the person. If you know the person, I would maybe try to talk with them about why they are saying the things they are saying. I have not been a part of flaming, so I guess I'll find out when it happens.
Is there any legal punishments can be imposed on a flamer if I were to make a complaint? Also, is there an easy way to find out who is actually posting these types of rants and if so, how?
I am not quite sure if there is a legal punishment for flaming. I would think that all you do is make a complaint and the person will be prohibited from using the site or email. I found little about legal issues and flaming, but at www.sofweb.vic there was advice on what to do when being attacked by a flamer. Usually if you make a complaint about a certain user, they will be identified and punished or prohibited from further communication. Usually flaming occurs over emails or chat rooms, so you may know the actual identity of the person and sometimes you may not. Flaming can occur between many people that you know: Co-workers, employees, employers, friends, classmates, teachers. Flaming could happen between any type of people
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