Peg R.

Once again you have a coward's site where students who usually are failing in a class, decide to cowardly attack some type of teacher or professor. Recently (I am an advocate against cyberbullying) the site did start monitoring posts a lot more and do not allow comments to immediately go out over the internet. However, the site is still destructive.

Formspring is another website of concern. While on the surface it seems like a fun question and answer site, there is way too much bullying on the site. However, pressure on Formspring recently has caused them to admit bullying was a problem and to put in stronger filters and monitoring. A year ago (as an advocate against cyberbullying) I would have given it two stars (not good but certainly better than hate sites like Topix), but with the improvements I give it three stars. When people act human on Formspring it does have its merits at times. I will warn other parents and grandparents out there, a lot of kids use the site and it has limited appeal to adults.

Sites like this are simply an excuse for cowards to hide behind a user name and attack someone in their profession. If you can't say it to someone's face, you shouldn't say it. What purpose does sites like this serve it isn't going to accomplish anything and there are two sides to every story.

As a parent I have grown to realize as much as technology has enhanced our lives, in other words it has destroyed it. I am particularly concerned about a website called Topix. The first time I heard of Topix I wasn't sure what it was and did some investigating. I am shocked and appalled at what I have seen and read concerning the company and the attitude of the management. In forum after forum, people are having their reputations taken apart by faceless cowards and they don't even have the guts to post their name. Where I come from we call that being yellow. If you can't say it someone's face, you shouldn't say it. Even worse is the comments I have read from Topix management. For years they have defended their users and justifed not making their users register which tells you all you need to know about that site. It knows what it is a site of no redeeming value that is there for bullies to congregate. In fact it is known that some of the bullying has been caused by members of Topix own management to attract more posters. The forums are bad, really bad in many communities and forget about being able to contact Topix by phone. Recently the New York Times ran a powerful story and the damage of the Topix site but they were wrong about one thing. It isn't just a dark plaque in small communites but also is becoming a problem in larger areas. There also forums that promote racism and sexual immorality. Stay away at all costs and please tell your legislators to do something about this company.