Funny but Serious….

       This video is very well done and looks like an actual movie preview. It tells the basic plot of the movie and introduces the characters as well as insinuates how the movie might end. It is a very high quality video where the image and lighting are very clear and the sound levels flow very well.

       This is a very funny video that parodies a movie preview. The plot of the movie surrounds Facebook and how it can be used in a malicious fashion to ruin someone’s social network and social life.

       In the movie two college guys are breaking into each other’s Facebook pages and changing information as well as sending their friends weird messages and gifts. The one guy starts it because he is in love with the other guy’s girlfriend. This parody is meant to be funny, and it is, however it does raise a very serious issue, breaking into people’s online social networks, whether it be Facebook, MSN, MySpace or any other site.

       The bigger issue however is why people are breaking into people’s accounts and the answer is cyber bullying. According to the National Crime Prevention Center over 40% of all teenagers with Internet access have reported being bullied online during the past year. Also girls are more likely to be bullied online than boys, but girls are also more likely to bully others online than boys. However this is expected as other studies have demonstrated that girls spend more time online than boys do as well as they are more likely to be members of a social network.

       Cyber bullying is just as hurtful as face to face bullying and kids are less likely to tell an adult about cyber bullying. The National Crime Prevention Center discovered that only 10% of kids who experience cyber bullying tell their parents about it and only 18% of the incidents are reported to police.

       This is terrible as being bullied can really affect a person’s self-esteem as well as their desire to socialize. I think it is important to educate children on the consequences of cyber bullying as well as how to deal with it if it ever happens to them.

       I think humorous videos, such as the one posted in the blog, are a great way to introduce the subject to kids before moving on to the more serious aspects of the problem. This way the conversation is not too serious or boring, but the message gets across.

March 13, 2009. YouTube.