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Internet begging, cyber-begging, e-begging or Internet panhandling is the online version of traditional begging, asking strangers for money to meet basic needs such as food and shelter.

Internet begging among strangers differs from street begging in that it can be practiced with relative anonymity, thereby eliminating or reducing the shame and disgrace apparent of begging in public. Internet begging is also commonly done among acquaintances on social media platforms, such as requests for donations from friends and family members to pay for normal educational expenses.

A cause website is a cyber-begging site that presents a personal appeal for funds or help.

History

During the early days of the Internet, cyber-begging was evident in the form of personal advertisements for help on local bulletin board systems (BBS). As personal websites became more popular, individuals began advertising their needs using the features available through website authoring. Many Internet service providers (ISPs) offered a free homepage along with the basic dial-up connection service to the Internet. For many people, this was an opportunity to create an inexpensive website to host and share their personal experience and need.

As non-profit organizations began moving their fundraising efforts from snail mail (postal mail) to the World Wide Web, individuals began to create more elaborate forms of personal 'fundraising' by utilizing many of the same Internet techniques.

During the late 1990s, as the Internet became more sophisticated, resources became available allowing any individual to create an attractive website without requiring the knowledge of HTML or other web authoring systems. These free-to-inexpensive web hosting services remain a constant on the Internet making it easy for the public to access, create and advertise an Internet begging website.

Internet begging gained notoriety and momentum after June 2002 when Karyn Bosnak started SaveKaryn.com as an attempt to have the Internet public help pay her credit card debt, which was in part due to her predilection for designer clothing and Starbucks coffee. For Bosnak, the results led to traditional media attention, appearances on popular television programs and a book. Her website was probably the first Internet begging site to gain wide exposure and it became the example for many to follow.

In October 2009, the Boston Globe carried a story on so-called cyberbegging, or Internet begging, which was reported to be a new trend worldwide.^[1]

Internet begging sites

With hundreds of Internet begging sites on-line, it has become common practice for web beggars to register and own the domain name of their websites. Using free or inexpensive hosting services and specialized websites such as GoFundMe, Internet begging websites ask the public for help with many needs including breast augmentation surgery,^[2] cancer treatments, new cars, preventing personal homelessness, and medical bills to suggest a few. Websites with names reflecting their needs directly or indirectly are panhandling for help with a variety of human needs and conditions, from deeply personal to very humorous. Although sometimes labelled as crowdfunding, asking for help to cover funeral expenses has been uptrending.^[3]

Many 'cause websites' accept contributions via clickable hyperlinks. Internet services like PayPal and the Amazon.com Honor system offer free to inexpensive credit card and payment acceptance services making it easy for cyber-beggars to collect donations directly from their websites.

Many of the Internet begging websites appear to be the result of an individual's legitimate desire for attention and help. However, a new trend is emerging in 'Mega' begging sites that are ostensibly offering would be Internet beggars help with the details of website design, hosting and advertising.^[4]

Internet begging websites are essentially as transient as traditional off-line panhandlers with respect to territory and accessibility. Many Internet begging websites are not long lived.

References

^ Abel, David, "Panhandlers move from street to Internet: Online sites offer a fertile venue for some in need", Boston Globe, October 26, 2009.
^ Lubinger, Bill (2007-04-11). "Need a new couch? Log on and beg". The Seattle Times. Retrieved 2018-03-15.
^ Holson, Laura M. (June 5, 2018). "As Funeral Crowdfunding Grows, So Do the Risks". The New York Times.
^ Associated Press. "Site's ambition: the eBay of giving", San Jose Mercury News, April 7, 2007. Retrieved: May 3, 2007

External links

[1] Abel, David, "Panhandlers move from street to Internet: Online sites offer a fertile venue for some in need", Boston Globe, October 26, 2009.

[2] Lubinger, Bill (2007-04-11). "Need a new couch? Log on and beg". The Seattle Times. Retrieved 2018-03-15.

[3] Holson, Laura M. (June 5, 2018). "As Funeral Crowdfunding Grows, So Do the Risks". The New York Times.

[4] Associated Press. "Site's ambition: the eBay of giving", San Jose Mercury News, April 7, 2007. Retrieved: May 3, 2007

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+{{Short description|Asking people for money online}}
-{{unreferenced||date=November 2006}}
+{{pp|small=yes}}
-'''Internet begging''' is a [[cyber]] or e-version of traditional [[begging]], asking strangers for money to meet immediate and other needs ([[money]], [[food]], and [[shelter]]). It is also referred to as '''cyber begging''' and '''internet panhandling'''.
+'''Internet begging''', '''cyber-begging''', '''e-begging''' or '''Internet panhandling''' is the online version of traditional [[begging]], asking strangers for money to meet [[basic needs]] such as [[food]] and shelter.
+Internet begging among strangers differs from street begging in that it can be practiced with relative anonymity, thereby eliminating or reducing the [[shame]] and disgrace apparent of begging in public.  Internet begging is also commonly done among acquaintances on [[social media]] platforms, such as requests for donations from friends and family members to pay for normal educational expenses.
-A '''cause website''' is a term for a cyber begging site that presents a personal appeal for funds or help.
+A '''cause website''' is a cyber-begging site that presents a personal appeal for funds or help.
 ==History==
+During the early days of the Internet, cyber-begging was evident in the form of personal advertisements for help on local [[bulletin board systems]] (BBS). As personal [[website]]s became more popular, individuals began advertising their needs using the features available through website authoring. Many [[Internet service provider]]s (ISPs) offered a free [[homepage]] along with the basic [[dial-up]] connection service to the Internet. For many people, this was an opportunity to create an inexpensive website to host and share their personal experience and need.
-During the early days of the Internet, cyber begging was evident in the form of personal advertisements for help on local [[bulletin board systems]] (BBS). As personal [[website]]s became more popular, individuals began advertising their needs using the features available through website authoring. Many [[Internet service provider]]s (ISPs) offered a free [[homepage]] along with the basic [[dial-up]] connection service to the Internet. For many people, this was an opportunity to create an inexpensive website to host and share their personal experience and need.
 As [[non-profit]] organizations began moving their fundraising efforts from [[snail mail]] (postal mail) to the [[World Wide Web]], individuals began to create more elaborate forms of personal 'fundraising' by utilizing many of the same Internet techniques.
-During the late [[1990s]], as the Internet became more sophisticated, resources became available allowing any individual to create an attractive website without requiring the knowledge of [[HTML]] or other web authoring systems. These free-to-inexpensive [[web hosting]] services remain a constant on the Internet making it easy for the public to access, create and advertise an Internet begging website.
+During the late 1990s, as the Internet became more sophisticated, resources became available allowing any individual to create an attractive website without requiring the knowledge of [[HTML]] or other web authoring systems. These free-to-inexpensive [[web hosting]] services remain a constant on the Internet making it easy for the public to access, create and advertise an Internet begging website.
-Internet begging gained notoriety and momentum after June of 2002 when Karyn Bosnak started [[Save Karyn|SaveKaryn.com]] as an attempt to have the Internet public help pay her [[credit card]] debt. For Bosnak, the results led to traditional media attention, appearances on popular television programs and a book. Her website was probably the first Internet begging site to gain wide exposure and it became the example for many to follow.
+Internet begging gained notoriety and momentum after June 2002 when Karyn Bosnak started [[Save Karyn|SaveKaryn.com]] as an attempt to have the Internet public help pay her [[credit card]] debt, which was in part due to her predilection for [[designer clothing]] and [[Starbucks]] [[coffee]]. For Bosnak, the results led to traditional media attention, appearances on popular television programs and a book. Her website was probably the first Internet begging site to gain wide exposure and it became the example for many to follow.
-== Free Software begging ==
-Individuals making [[Free Software]] is the largest begging group on the Internet. The individuals usual claim money using services as PayPal. If the individuals not receive money their homepage most likley will get closed.
+In October 2009, the ''Boston Globe'' carried a story on so-called cyberbegging, or Internet begging, which was reported to be a new trend worldwide.<ref>Abel, David, [http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2009/10/26/homeless_ex_cook_lets_his_fingers_do_the_panhandling_online/ "Panhandlers move from street to Internet: Online sites offer a fertile venue for some in need"], Boston Globe, October 26, 2009.</ref>
 ==Internet begging sites==
-With [[List of internet beggars|hundreds of Internet begging sites]] [[on-line]], it has become common practice for web beggars to register and own the [[domain name]] of their websites. Using free to inexpensive hosting services, Internet begging websites ask the public for help with many needs including [[breast augmentation]] surgery, [[cancer]] treatments, new cars, preventing personal [[homelessness]], and medical bills to suggest a few. Websites with names reflecting their needs directly or indirectly are [[panhandling]] for help with a variety of human needs and conditions, from deeply personal to very humorous.
+With hundreds of Internet begging sites [[on-line]], it has become common practice for web beggars to register and own the [[domain name]] of their websites. Using free or inexpensive hosting services and specialized websites such as [[GoFundMe]], Internet begging websites ask the public for help with many needs including [[breast augmentation]] surgery,<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.seattletimes.com/life/lifestyle/need-a-new-couch-log-on-and-beg/|title=Need a new couch? Log on and beg|last=Lubinger|first=Bill|date=2007-04-11|work=The Seattle Times|access-date=2018-03-15|language=en-US}}</ref> [[cancer]] treatments, new cars, preventing personal [[homelessness]], and medical bills to suggest a few. Websites with names reflecting their needs directly or indirectly are [[begging|panhandling]] for help with a variety of human needs and conditions, from deeply personal to very humorous. Although sometimes labelled as [[crowdfunding]], asking for help to cover funeral expenses has been uptrending.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/05/business/funerals-crowdsourcing-crowdfunding-scams.html|title=As Funeral Crowdfunding Grows, So Do the Risks|first=Laura M.|last=Holson|newspaper=The New York Times |date=June 5, 2018}}</ref>
-Many 'cause websites' accept contributions via clickable [[hyperlink]]s. Internet services like [[PayPal]] and the [[Amazon.com]] Honor system offer free to inexpensive credit card and payment acceptance services making it easy for cyber beggars to collect donations directly from their websites.
+Many 'cause websites' accept contributions via clickable [[hyperlink]]s. Internet services like [[PayPal]] and the [[Amazon.com]] Honor system offer free to inexpensive credit card and payment acceptance services making it easy for cyber-beggars to collect donations directly from their websites.
-Many of the Internet begging websites appear to be the result of an individual’s legitimate desire for attention and help. However, a new trend is emerging. 'Mega' begging sites are appearing and are ostensibly offering would be Internet beggars help with the details of website design, hosting and advertising. Of the few available and reviewed, most required a 'fee' for services and appeared to be taking advantage of new cyber beggars who are less educated regarding the Internet.
+Many of the Internet begging websites appear to be the result of an individual's legitimate desire for attention and help. However, a new trend is emerging in 'Mega' begging sites that are ostensibly offering would be Internet beggars help with the details of website design, hosting and advertising.<ref>Associated Press. [http://www.mercurynews.com/businessheadlines/ci_5616318 "Site's ambition: the eBay of giving"], ''San Jose Mercury News'', April 7, 2007. Retrieved: May 3, 2007</ref>
-Internet begging websites are essentially as [[transient]] as traditional off-line panhandlers with respect to territory and accessibility. Many Internet begging websites are not long lived.
-==Begging in online poker rooms==
-Sometimes beggars use the chat facility in [[online poker]] rooms to beg for money.  This practice often occurs at high stakes tables, where the beggars may believe they have a better chance of being paid by people who play for high stakes.  However, this practice is usually frowned upon,<ref>[http://www.fulltiltpoker.com/siteRules.php Full Tilt Poker FAQ: Rule #4 prohibits begging]</ref> and most online poker rooms employ countermeasures to prevent it.<ref>[http://www.pokerstars.com/poker/room/faq/ PokerStars FAQ: Chat rules state "facilities in place" to prevent "solicitation"]</ref>  These countermeasures include revoking offenders' chat privileges, limiting chat to seated players only, and placing limitations on who may chat as an observer.
+Internet begging websites are essentially as [[Passing with time|transient]] as traditional off-line panhandlers with respect to territory and accessibility. Many Internet begging websites are not long lived.
 ==See also==
 * [[Save Karyn]]
 * [[One red paperclip]]
+* [[Begslist.org]]
 * [[The Million Dollar Homepage]]
-* [[Save Toby]]
+* [[Crowdfunding]]
+<!-- Do not add Wikipedia to this list. -->
-*[http://www.freecyberbeg.com/ Save Freecyberbeg]
 ==References==
+{{reflist}}
-<div class="references-small">
-<references/>
+==External links==
-</div>
+* [http://city-journal.org/2008/18_3_panhandling.html The Professional Panhandling Plague, ''City Journal,'' Summer 2008] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080826133416/http://www.city-journal.org/2008/18_3_panhandling.html |date=2008-08-26 }}
+* [https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=121211164 Cyberbegging Takes Panhandling Online, ''NPR.org,'' December 2009]
+* [https://web.archive.org/web/20091221180819/http://www2.counton2.com/cbd/news/local/article/panhandlers_take_their_pleas_to_the_internet/95162 Panhandlers take their pleas to the Internet, ''News 2 WCBD-TV Charleston, SC,'' December 2009]
+*[https://guardian.ng/life/life-features/is-cyber-begging-becoming-a-culture/ Is cyberbegging becoming a culture?] at ''The Guardian''
-[[Category:Internet culture]]
+[[Category:Internet begging| ]]
-[[Category:Giving]]