Bullying, according to some, is sort of a rite of passage. A source of stress and anxiety, as well as fear, that everyone has to endure at one point or another. The advent of the Internet and better, more advanced communications technologies has not really changed this, though the virtual world has given bullied children a place to go where they won’t be targeted for being physically weak. For most, the Internet is a place where one’s ideas and ability to express ideas solidly is more valuable than muscle fitness and raw power. However, that may all be changing with the times, arguably due to the Internet itself slowly changing into a more and more tangible community.
The Internet has long been home to a number of virtual communities that mirror those found in the real world. These communities are often based on a common interest shared by members, such as video games, anime, certain genres of books, or cult TV shows. A little surfing can lead someone to find forums, chat rooms, and wikis (databases that can be edited and added to by the community itself, rather than a single administrator or group) dedicated to a wide range of topics. This virtual...