Cyberbullying, moral responsibility, and social networking: Lessons from the Megan Meier tragedy

Cohen-Almagor, Raphael

Abstract

This paper addresses the concepts of moral and social responsibility on the Internet in considering the most troubling phenomenon of cyberbullying that results in loss of life. Specifically, I probe the moral and social responsibilities of Internet users (agents), of the education system in fighting cyberbullying, and of Internet intermediaries. Balance needs to be struck between freedom of expression and social responsibility. The tragic story of Megan Meier serves as an illustrative example and some further incidents in which this ugly phenomenon of cyberbullying had cost young life are mentioned. It is argued that all relevant stakeholders need to think of the consequences of their conduct, that Internet abusers should be accountable for their wrongdoing, and that people who have the ability to stop or at least reduce the risk of cyberbullying should take proactive steps, exhibiting zero tolerance to cyberbullying.

Citation

Cohen-Almagor, R. (2020). Cyberbullying, moral responsibility, and social networking: Lessons from the Megan Meier tragedy. European Journal of Analytic Philosophy, 16(1), 75-97. https://doi.org/10.31820/ejap.16.1.4

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Jul 7, 2020
• Online Publication Date: Jul 10, 2020
• Publication Date: Jan 1, 2020
• Deposit Date: Jul 12, 2020
• Publicly Available Date: Jul 20, 2020
• Journal: European Journal of Analytic Philosophy
• Print ISSN: 1849-0514
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 16
• Issue: 1
• Pages: 75-97
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.31820/ejap.16.1.4
• Keywords: Aristotle; Bullying; Cyberbullying; Internet; Megan Meier; Moral and social responsibility; Social networking
• Public URL: https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/3540828
• Publisher URL: https://hrcak.srce.hr/240862