[jackc1806]

Originally Posted by Toy Soldier

You're missing the point entirely. It shouldn't be in jest, but they see it that way. Singling people out for entertainment SHOULDN'T be normal but it's increasingly being seen that way by kids because of how it's shown in the mainstream media. Big Brother this year is using it as entertainment and little things like that all across the media, all adding up, lead kids to the sort of mindset where it's OK to torment someone for fun. It's a game, it's not real, until suddenly someone gets hurt. And then no one's entertained any more, all of a sudden.

It's not sensationalist at all. I have my fiancée's teenage sister on FaceBook and this stuff goes on all of the time. Namecalling, threats, ganging-up... it's all totally normal to young teens today. Think about WHY it's become normal and you'll realise that situations like this years' BB are a big part of the problem. Just tune into BOTS and look at their wide eyes and grinning faces as Gina and Hazel tear lumps out of each other because of a task set by BB.

To suggest people are horrible to each other because of the media is terrible. Cavemen used to beat each other up, surely they were influenced by Big Brother? Everybody is nasty at some point in their lives and while I do agree violent video games, films and TV shows will effect SOME people, the vast majority of people who enjoy upsetting people wouldn't be any nicer if tonight's BB wasn't aired.