Cyber Bullying
09/28/2009According to the National Crime Prevention Council, cyber-bullying is defined as when the Internet, cell phones or other devices are used to send or post text or images intended to hurt or embarrass another person. Studies of cyber-bullying have mostly been interested in its occurrence among middle and high school students, but cyber-bullying also occurs in the workplace.
Some people argue that cyber-bullying can be just as detrimental to a person as its physical counterpart. In 2006, 13 year old Megan Meier committed suicide after being harassed by the mother of a former friend. Cyber-bullies enjoy the anonymity that the Internet provides and may not feel as much shame for their actions as a traditional bully would.
Cyber-bullying is not limited to the Internet. Cellphones are also a means for bullies to harass their victims. Since most cellphone users keep their phone on at all time, they are constantly vulnerable to harassing telephone calls and text messages. Furthermore, blocking a number usually requires a trip to your cellular provider. Minors may not want to admit to their parents that they are being bullied.
In 2008, two representatives proposed a bill in the House that would criminalize cyber-bullying, but as of right now there are no laws on the books. At the state level, legislation targeting cyber-bullies varies. In 2007, seven states passed laws to penalize this form of harassment. The state legislature of California recently passed a bill that gives school administrators permission to discipline students for bullying both online and offline.
