According to StopBullying.gov, “Cyberbullying is bullying that takes place using electronic technology.” As stated on Wikipedia.com, “According to U.S. Legal Definitions, "cyber-bullying could be limited to posting rumors or gossips about a person in the internet bringing about hatred in other’s minds; or it may go to the extent of personally identifying victims and publishing materials severely defaming and humiliating them".” As many individuals who are associated with pageants know, the Voy.com/219913 purple board is notorious for cyber-bullying.   Parents, children, judges, vendors, coaches and directors are the daily targets on this website. Many of the discussions are used to manipulate, control, humiliate and belittle those being discussed. As one of those targets on numerous occasions, I feel it is time we take a stand against the removal of the purple board. 

As stated in the User Agreement on Voy.com “You will not stalk users of our system, nor will you post, email, or otherwise transmit any data which is illegal, harassing, threatening, abusive, or obscene to our system nor any user of our system.” If this policy is in place, why do the board owner and the business owner of Voyager Info-Systems continue to let this happen? The User Agreement also affirms, “Forums cannot be created, used, or continued with the primary or dominant purpose or usage of "bashing". “ With this being said, neither the company nor the board owner is abiding by these guidelines. 

How do we stand together and get the purple board shut down? First of all, I think we take the initiative to contact Voyager Info-Systems and voice our concerns. I have already done so and I encourage you to do the same. Their contact information is listed at the end of this document. Second of all, I think we need to make a personal agreement with ourselves not to visit the site nor make any further comments about it. The evil pageant moms who are making these remarks will soon find out, no one is going to entertain their gossip. If pageants and those involved need to be discussed, I recommend a Facebook group be created, where your profile is shown and you can’t post anonymously. 

I have personally been a victim of the cyber-bullying on this site and will no longer stand for the defaming of myself, my mother or the friends I have made through pageantry. I know the words are hurtful and we have all been advised to turn the other cheek, but in reality we all know that is hard to do. I will not give up until this site is removed and the board owner is exposed. In my personal opinion, the board owner is the devil in disguise. These are the same people that we spend our weekends with engaging in sparkle and shine, only to have it dulled by heartless individuals posting on the board. 

In conclusion, I realize I am taking a risk by taking this stand. In return this may cost me my love of judging pageants, but that is a risk I am willing to take. I can honestly say I have never taken any money from a pageant mother or any gifts. I purchased my own motorcycle and it was not paid for by a pageant mom, I still owe on it. My perspective on my mother and I being used frequently to judge is that directors trust us and know we will judge fairly. I always make myself available after pageants to speak with parents, and never once have I been approached face to face in regards to someone’s concern. In my opinion, no one deserves this kind of harassment regardless of who they are. My mother has always said that I have a heart of gold and I can only hope it shines through my mission to put an end to the purple board. 

“Don’t complain about things you’re not willing to change.”