Prof designs online-bully detector

The Yomiuri Shimbun
March 8, 2008
Source: http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/national/20080308TDY02309.htm

A Gunma University professor has designed a computer system that checks Internet bulletin boards known as "Gakko Ura-sites," which are run by school students, and detects messages that could incite bullying or abusive behavior.

Prof. Hirotsugu Shimoda of the university's Faculty of Social and Information Studies is to conduct further experiments into the practicality of the system.

In recent years, problems related to Gakko Ura-sites, informal notice boards bearing the names of affiliated high schools or middle schools, have come to light.

The bulletin boards are run by students to exchange information and make friends. However, they are sometimes misused to anonymously post abusive messages and rumors regarding classmates.

Shimoda noticed that abusive language on such bulletin boards usually contains one or more of 35 particular words, such as "irritating," "disgusting," or "kill yourself." The computer system is designed to flag bulletin boards where such words frequently appear.

At the end of last year, Shimoda and the nonprofit organization Media Study Association investigated 182 informal Internet bulletin boards run by students of schools in Gunma Prefecture.

Shimoda found that very few messages start off with personal attacks. Instead, most begin by discussing general topics, but unexpectedly veer toward insulting a particular individual.

For example, one message began by asking who people thought was the most handsome boy at the school. However, after one person used the word "disgusting" in a inoffensive context, another person responded by saying, "Talking of 'disgusting' reminds me of..." and used the real name of the person he or she was referring to.

Shimoda believes these 35 common words are triggering students to head off in a dangerous direction. He said that by checking how often these words appear on bulletin boards and examining their contexts, it is possible to measure the bulletin board's degree of risk.

In the experiment, Shimoda will use three or four computer systems initially designed to pick up and organize useful information from the Internet.

If Shimoda detects potentially abusive messages, he will contact the school concerned and warn it of the potential danger. He hopes schools will take measures to prevent such bullying.

"Internet bulletin boards such as these are springing up all across the country--many with a high level of anonymity," Shimoda said. "If society fails to take measures now, the situation will spiral beyond the control of parents and teachers."

(Mar. 8, 2008)