Cyber Bullying State Laws and Policies
October 8th, 2008 by admin
Recently, a number of states have passed strong cyber bullying laws that are designed to protect children from being harassed, threatened and humiliated online. These laws represent a crucial step towards National anti-cyber bullying laws which will protect children of all ages in every corner of the country.
Here is a state-by-state look at some of these laws:
Arkansas
In 2007, the Arkansas legislation passed a law allowing school officials to take action against cyber bullies even if the bullying did not originate or take place on school property. The law gave school administrators much more freedom to punish those individuals who sought to harass their fellow students.
Idaho
2006 saw Idaho lawmakers pass a law that allowed school officials to suspend students if they bullied or harassed other students using a telephone or computer.
Iowa
Iowa has passed several laws that force schools to create anti-cyber bullying policies which cover bullying “in schools, on school property or at any school function or school-sponsored activity.”
New Jersey
The Garden State of New Jersey has always maintained tough laws about bullying, but it wasn’t until 2007 that the laws were amended to include bullying via “electronic communication.” These laws give additional power to the school system to enforce bullying-related punishment for actions that may not take place while on school grounds.
Oregon
The progressive state of Oregon really delves into the details of cyber bullying. The laws passed in recent years in Oregon expand the boundaries of what constitutes cyber bullying to include those actions which “substantially interfere” with the education of the young person.
Missouri
The suicide of a 13-year old girl Megan Meier who was the victim of an internet hoax greatly raised the awareness of cyber bullying and its consequences in the state of Missouri. Governor Matt Blunt went so far as to create a task force whose sole purpose was to study and create laws regarding cyber bullying. As a result the Internet Harassment Task Force now stands as a shining example for other states around the country. Missouri has also toughened their laws on the matter, upgrading cyber-harassment from a misdemeanor to a Class D felony.
New York
New York created a system to investigate claims of cyber bullying that would help police and school officials better ascertain the circumstances of each occurrence and prosecute or punish the culprits to the fullest extent of the law.
Rhode Island
The governor of Rhode Island is currently trying to pass a bill that would force repeat cyber bullying offenders to appear in family court, where they would be charged as delinquents under the terms of the state’s laws for young offenders.
Vermont
Vermont has added a $500 fine for cyber bullying offenses to their already stringent laws on the matter. There is currently a bill being discussed that would increase the reach of the school’s powers regarding cyber bullying when the action puts the individual’s ability to learn (or health and safety) at risk.
Tags: cyber bullying laws, cyber bullying policies, cyberbullying law, cyberbullying laws, laws against cyber bullying, laws against cyberbullying
October 8th, 2008 at 9:59 pm
Local state laws are WORTHLESS. I’ve been harassed by a “cyber bully” on and off for 5 years, and it doesn’t live in the same country, let alone state.
Our legislators are so out-of-date. They probably penned these laws to quash the nuisance of “indescent telegrams and telegraphs”.
November 9th, 2008 at 8:56 pm
my 15 year old daughter has been a victim of this by a gal at her school….i went to the principal and also sent three emails to facebook where the main bullying is happening…i have yet to get a response…..my daughters account on there is no longer but the other girl keeps posting very bad things about my daughter it has been a nightmare……of course this is all happening in wisconsin
November 10th, 2008 at 3:06 pm
I have been cyberbullied from this woman that was working for the Hard Rock Biloxi and ran off to Florida with my partner of 8 years. Leaving us behind in bills. Since Oct. 7 Court date it have gotten worse. I can’t take it anymore I’m 43 yrs old and no one will listen to me. I’m afraid of her, her behavior is out of this wolrd and she makes it look like it is me. I have had people review her harassment and she is bullying me and she made another page for my ex partner that does not even know how to turn on a computer much less make a myspace page and she is leaving nasty messages on his page also. I have saved everything and I hope one day some will take me serious on how scared I’m of her.
Lisa 45 and Kerry 43 zip 34484 They both scare me!
November 18th, 2008 at 5:14 pm
there is someone in my school who is a target of cyber bullying which is awful
January 7th, 2009 at 1:00 pm
This is a joke, you cannot monitor the internet, and why are people taking threats over the internet seriously anyway? You cannot harm somebody physically over the internet and anybody stupid enough to actually want to kill themselves instead of turning off their computer monitor needs a psych evaluation
January 19th, 2009 at 2:35 pm
What about laws to protect adults from cyberbullying. I am in NY State on Long Island, and have been trheatened with physical harm as well as pulicly degraded and humiliated in public fourms. They have even threatened to send people to my house. I am afraid to leave at time or meet with people who they might know as well, because I know of previous instances where from a license plate all of another persons personal information was obtained and pulicly posted on a nationally known and popular website
January 29th, 2009 at 2:01 pm
I have been getting bullied for many years and even more since my two kids are half black and half white…..ppl have left very rude comments about my children and about me whn i was with a black man. this needs to stop and the police are no help and i leave in nebraska….just recently my buddy who is handicap gets bullied and it pisses me off so bad. I hate it when the person/people do this. The law needs to change to protect everybody in everystate and out of the country even…not just a handful of states. THIS BULLYNG NEEDS TO QUIT NOW!!!
February 23rd, 2009 at 2:40 pm
I am very upset and feel completely vulnerable to a nameless, faceless cyber bully. Someone, who I cannot figure out, has erected a website that slanders me and people in my family in a very painful, horrible way. This person or persons also stole pictures of me from my website and posted mean, slanderous comments about my weight and daily habits that are untrue. The whole website is cruel, horrendous, and what I would deem cyber bullying. Where do I go, and what do I do to have this website removed from the internet? Does anyone know how I can protect myself and my family against this?
Thank you so much
March 7th, 2009 at 12:21 pm
This girl online has been cyber bullying me for months lately. It has gotten worst. She started bringing my girl friend into the fight and one of my families murdered friends into it. We live in different states. I do not know what state she lives in which is really annoying. I have no clue what to do because I am only a young teenager. I’m afraid if I do not do something soon, it will only get much much worst. She has threatend to hurt me, because she is older I guess. I’m sure she is going to start with death threats soon.
March 26th, 2009 at 10:57 am
these states are farther along than the other less advanced states…this is a national issue. WHY CANT WE ACCEPT THAT!!
May 1st, 2009 at 12:13 pm
Erm… I feel really bad, and upset, and very concerned. I am 14 years old and I live in England. I have been Cyberbullying someone at my school and I feel really really bad about it. I didn’t exactly know what Cyberbulling was… Until now. I am very very worried and scared about what will happen to me. This victim of which I have cyberbullyed is called Louise. She is the same age as me and is in my lessons at school. She has said to many of her friends that I am an unwealthy, childish, pathetic and petty. I have also been accused by her friends that she hangs around with at breaktimes and lunchtimes, that I am a low-lifed thief and a lesbian. I know now that what I have done is wrong and I have also been told by numerous amounts of people she knows, that I am in big trouble with the Police. Can somebody please aid me in this situation. I am not a bad person I just need some help that’s all.
Can somebody please tell me what to do, what will happen if Louise has told the Police, and what the Police will then do to me?
Thankyou so much for your time and for reading this.
-Rachel. x
May 14th, 2009 at 9:44 am
this is ridiculous. you want the police to protect you from name calling. when will it end. don’t you see that the more you ask for big brother’s help the more freedoms you are giving up. and to suggest that we can deal with this on a national level is very scary. wake up people
May 19th, 2009 at 2:01 pm
there was a topic site started about a cop that was fired for riding with someone that was drinking they had a wreck and the cop was severely injured and the driver also had illigal pills in his position. I learned of this web site and commented on it, now the ex cop has found out who me and my family is and is haveing other cop buddies make threats towards my daughter her husband and her children. what does this fall under in the arkansas law. I would like to know if there can be something done about it and if the web site can be shut down
May 30th, 2009 at 8:08 am
I read this stuff and it is absolutely ridiculous. This cyber bullying law is a direct violation of freedom of speech. Weather people say it online or in person or behind your back, where does it stop? A person has a right to speak and say whatever they want. Its not like I’ve never been made fun of or been bullied, but to say you can go to prison for hurting someones feeling is just outrageous! I cannot believe where our country is going. What a bunch of cry babies. Oh they said this and they said that, give me a damn break and what makes it even funnier is that some of you are in your 40’s and your crying about getting your feelings hurt. I can see where this could come in play if people are calling for bodily harm towards you, but other than that, quit crying. I guess the fed will be showing up to question me about this comment here too. Is what I said constitute cyber bullying since I don’t agree with the main consensus. You people need to go back and read what this country was really based on and quit letting the tyranny thats taking over this country rid you of your rights.
June 3rd, 2009 at 7:24 pm
Sweet blog. I never know what I am going to come across next. I think you should do more posting as you have some pretty intelligent stuff to say.
I’ll be watching you .
June 26th, 2009 at 11:44 am
are you people serious, the internet isn’t evil, and doesn’t need to be controlled, words don’t hurt, people need to stop babying their kids
July 6th, 2009 at 11:18 am
You know I don’t agree with people being bullied, but you can’t bring the law upon the bullier either. Part of growing up is to learn how to be strong. By trying to get these kids in trouble with the law is a whole different story. It is sort of like how its hard to say no to your child, but then if you give in wheres the discipline? I’ve gotten bullied before, but I didn’t go cry like an immature child. I was taught to ignore it. And good childhood lessons are starting to disappear. For something that was very immature and can be resulted in person, should not be mixed with the law because it jeopardizes these kids future because they have a felony for online bullying. Later on if that child finally matures and wants to get a job, they most likely can’t because of a silly bullying record on their background even if that person is completely different.
Plus there are a lot of studies stated kids who bullied were once bullied themselves. So who are we really saving?
I see more and more children acting way younger than they should. You guys need to tell your child to grow the hell up, because when I was growing up I noticed that I don’t even stay in contact with those people any more. I’ve realized that life is too short to hold burdens on people who belittled us. Your children should be more concerned with how they’re going to make a living and what steps need to be taken to become successful people.
July 14th, 2009 at 5:35 am
I think this is against freedom of speech. I’m in my mid 20’s and could care less what some coward wants to say on the internet. If your over 18 you really need to learn to ignore something like this, our are freedom of speech rights will be stripped from us. Honestly it’s one thing to get harassed over the phone or in person. That’s what restraining orders are for and contacting the cops if you must. I understand if you have a daughter and if your a younger person how this could effect you. Internet threats or bullying are what they are, it happens. If someone gets your contact information and takes it the next step past the internet, then do what you thinks best. Let’s not find more ways to get rid of freedom of speech.
July 14th, 2009 at 5:32 pm
My neice who shares custody of her two children with her ex gets constant texts and voicemails of personal attacks, negativity, hurtful comments, and not only are they doing them toward her….they do so in front of the kids……HATE IN A FORM I PERSONALLY HAVE NOT SEEN.
Don’t they understand that these comments go deeper than the phone lines and the burden it puts on the kids is long lasting.
ACTION: Instructed by police to call Phone Co. to block them from her phone. Easy..but if that is how you communicate with children, then makes BLOCKING difficult. However, like my neice by a cell phone for her to call kids and no texting or sending calls… unfortunately, hate continues….unless courts clarify the phone use…then..how conveniently, the phone is lost, not charged, or near them to receive calls…IN GOD WE TRUST, ALL OTHERS MUST DOCUMENT IN COURT PAPERS!!!!!!!!
July 20th, 2009 at 11:47 pm
education/awareness is key ~ hope any passed law(s) are not easily exploited ~
August 9th, 2009 at 1:29 am
I am a teen mother. I am honest about my son to my friends and family on my websites “myspace, facebook, etc.” I also talk on yahoo messanger… Well not recently, the threats and horrible comments are reseave are gut renching. They call me a whore, say my son is a discrase! They have even gone as far as fallowing me “in large groups” to every chat room i go to… Last time i got on i was booted and a virus was sent to my computer… Im not to worried about this for myself but i can only imagine how younger children “who care so much of what others think” are going through… This is horrible and for those who say “just ignore them.” Your wrong! Trust me its not that easy!
This has to stop!
August 14th, 2009 at 10:12 am
I am a member of the IMDB.com website and I have been stalked and hararssed by cyber bullys. I have written to the Admins countless times and informed them of specific people that are harrassing me bu they refuse to do anything. I even suggested to them to add a blockage feature so users like me and everyone else can block specific trolls from stalking you around but they’ve ignored that suggestion. In the rules for sigining up it says if you’re a troll your account gets deleted but when I’bve pointed out several cyber bullys they just tell me that because of heavy traffic flow of posts they can’t do anything. Even when I point out specific ones and link those cyber bullys’ post history for them!
August 14th, 2009 at 3:15 pm
im doing a project on this thanks for the information
August 18th, 2009 at 10:24 pm
Now if only police would enforce them and the law would apply to adults who bully other adults online!
August 19th, 2009 at 1:28 pm
This has to be the most ridiculous law ever. What is it, is America trying to police the internet? Last I checked the internet was not part of a nation. These laws are a joke. If someone is being victimized they should get over it, it’s just over the internet after all. Bullying in real life is far worse and yet nothing is done about that. If you ask me, it’s nature’s way of filtering the gene pool.
August 25th, 2009 at 7:01 pm
I monitor my teenage daughters account and was horrified to come across a agressive and abusive email sent to my daughter from a girl she had never met The email was sent because someone suggested she send this to my daughter. The facebook message was full of profanity and references which attacked my daughters physical characteristics. I contacted facebook with no response and I suggest parents get more involved and contact the schools these young people are attending with the hope they can get counseling on their unacceptable inappropriate behavior. Most schools have a code of conduct that students must abide by and this should help them to stop and think before they destroy any child’s life.
September 19th, 2009 at 2:43 pm
This happen to me on myspace with a game called mobsters the person would leave comments I would block new id new comments over and over. He also made a call from a public phone and did make a threat. My company was tied into the myspace now it is not and that is how he got my phone number. I had noticed that anyone who stood up for me with him has also been bullied. I did a report with myspace and mobster and nothing has happen. This could happen to a child and they need to do something about it. When I blocked him with his id and he got a new one he got real mad. I have made my account private and don’t go into mobsters game now except to see threats he has made to other people and this is wrong, myspace and mobsters needs to do something about this and they have not. When you someone who makes a threat towards someone on a game like this you have a social path and the law needs to do something about it. The person is with a group on mobsters called Unity With Honor they are Unity with Thugs My advice to anyone is if your child plays on this game keep a eye open for its happening very much. You never know who that person is or where they are and if they make a threat take it to the police.
September 24th, 2009 at 1:23 am
I was a member at one social video chat site (I won’t say which one) for a year. Everything was going good there. I had friends and respect there. Then, some new members (”trolls”) came and started harassing me by sending me hateful e-mails, private messages and making up heartless parodies of my screen name. I simply clicked “ignore” and “block”… and that seemed to have done the trick… for awhile. The “trolls” didn’t stop though. They were able to contact the majority of my ‘friends” and told them “lies” that I was talking about them behind their backs, therefore, turning my friends against me. I then started getting harassed by almost the entire site. I tried reporting it to the Admin, but they didn’t do anything about it. It felt like the Old West where a band of “desperados” would ride into town and raise hell with guns blazing… and no sheriff in town to protect me. Later, somebody was somehow able to get my full name, phone number and mailing address (possibly by means of “hacking”) and posted the information in one of the site’s video chat rooms, urging the “psychos” there to harass me as much as possible. A week later, somebody smashed in the windows of my family’s car as it sat in the driveway. I was also getting weird phone calls late at night and viruses sent to me through the computer. I finally left that site and went to another one that seemed more friendlier.
September 28th, 2009 at 6:19 pm
It’s no fun to tease, harass or torment someone if the victim doesn’t respond. The problem is, these bullies eventually get a response of some sort from the victim, further throwing gas on the fire.
If it’s a child who’s the victim. Advise them to not cry in front of the bully, don’t even recognize the fact it’s going on. The bully will get bored and eventually go away. No reaction is the key.
Same as being an adult who’s being bullied. Ignoring and not recognizing is not the same. Don’t ignore the fact it’s happening. BUT, Do not give a response that the bully is looking for. Crying, fighting, retaliation etc.
It took me about 8 months, but i was able to make it stop by not recognizing the bully. Don’t give them any attention.
It works with adults too. I have an Aunt who is a complete NUT. She should be in a straight jacket. She’s a bully. I avoid ANY reaction to her. Now she’s bored with it and has given up.
NEVER respond….. ever
October 1st, 2009 at 11:56 am
hi Afraid For my 5yrs old and I, I am almost the same situation, maybe we could get together and submit something against myspace…..my husband ex wife, no children together, has created a myspace with my husband name, our pictures, posting our arrest records, someone else medical record, adding nasty comments about my husband and I…..I reported abuse to myspace nothing has been done….now I know for a fact this woman have violated laws and myspace terms of use, but like everywhere you need an attorney to do anything…..
October 3rd, 2009 at 7:47 pm
Sarina, your ignorance is showing! It is a proven fact that a very large majority of chilhood bullies become criminals later on. Check out your resources before stating such silly comments. A large number of violent crime is committed by minors.
October 20th, 2009 at 2:08 pm
Thanks for sharing, say, do you have a twitter to follow?
October 26th, 2009 at 7:45 am
Thanks for putting on this info.. im working on a project and this website helped.. i dont like how people put rude comments,, cbyerbullying does need to stop..
October 27th, 2009 at 1:27 pm
It’s true that kids and teens should try to ignore all the harsh words that get sent to them and maybe kids and teens do need to be tougher than they are but there’s more to cyber-bullying than just harsh words. Being chased around from chat room to chat room is terrible, and it gets worse than that when the bullies spread rumours around and make other people avoid you especially when those rumours begin to coincide with real life.
October 30th, 2009 at 8:48 am
People who fight with others online all the time and cyber bully and rant there non-sense those people are cowards. In reality I don’t think they have a clue they just rant all the time online at people. Some of these people from what I been reading has mental illnesses.
October 30th, 2009 at 8:50 am
I had to deal with a few online nuts who cyber bully people or everyone on things.Ignore & report don’t take it serious they just have no life & Some are so mental only way to stop them is to report them to teach them a hard lesson. Many won’t cut the crap out when you ask them to.
October 30th, 2009 at 8:52 am
I reported mine to the police simple fact is that he is using harassment on many people & stalking others online. He is crazy. He laughs when we told him how stupid his fighting was and that he can be tracked by police he believes he can’t be tracked down. He’s been accused of being a predator by a few people as well. Not good….So hopefully the police will look into him.
November 4th, 2009 at 3:21 pm
For anyone to say that laws against cyber bullying are ridiculous in any way, I’m sorry but I believe thats a load of crap. Yeah you need to learn how to be strong blah blah, but thats not the case here. The case is what crosses the line between “kids being kids” and “kids tormenting kids”. I personally could care less about people harassing me on the internet. I mean if it’s just like some random person saying “You’re dumb omg go kill yourself” I could care less because that person is obviously a low life and has nothing better to do wth their time. But the thing is not EVERYONE is like that. There have been people to commit suicide because of the awful way they have been treated and the horrible disgusting things that have been said to them by other people online. And those people (in my opinion) deserve to be punished just as much as any other criminal.
November 6th, 2009 at 8:57 pm
What if it is happening to an adult. How can I get our Senate in Alabama to listen to me? How can I stop them?
November 11th, 2009 at 12:56 am
Look, it’s not just the bullying that pushes people to do stupid things like suicide.
I’ve been bullied for year, and to be honest, it’s never got to me.
People just care too much about what people think about them.
I know most teenagers are insecure because of the changes that are happening, but I’m 14 and, to be harsh, I don’t give a shit.
December 1st, 2009 at 10:19 am
Back when I lived in Wisconsin, the cyberbullying was egocentric. It was out of control, destroying my life. I couldn’t even breathe. I couldn’t walk out of my own house. I would turn off my computer and it would come back on!!! I was a victim. OF CYBERBULLYING.
December 1st, 2009 at 11:19 am
[...] immunity and special legal privilege. In many states across the US, cyber bullying laws are already being implemented. And in the UK, there are laws and initiatives to prevent cyberbullying. As social find to see [...]
December 3rd, 2009 at 10:45 am
I am so upset that my friend, [Fed Up in Louisiana] posted a comment on her experience of her cyberbully, but it was not posted. I don’t understand why it would not be here. I came on this website seeking her experience and was utterly disappointed. This is no joking matter. Cyberbullying is a leading cause of suicide and deaths these days among many young teens. If this website has something against my friend’s comment, then you are ridiculous. All of you. She was simply trying to tell the world of her cyberbully experience from when she lived in Wisconsin, and how she couldn’t even walk out of her door because of it. Now that she resides in Louisiana, it has simmered down, but is still a problem. She is not a promiscious girl, people just have problems with trying to act tough, behind their computers. People need to be informed on the DANGERS OF CYBERBULLYING!
Don’t be another Lori Drew.
BE SAFE. MONITOR YOUR CHILDREN’S ONLINE ACTIVITY. PLEASE.
IT COULD CAUSE THEM THEIR LIVES.
Thank You,
FED UP IN LOUISIANA. 2. (:
January 8th, 2010 at 8:23 pm
i get cyber bullied all the time,some users from U.K Germany and Japan also here in the U.S i get cyber bullied from people i don’t know for no reason and they keep cursing,calling me mean names and horrible stuff and I was like “Who are these people?” I hated when that happens but I just ingnored them and reported them.
January 24th, 2010 at 9:33 pm
cyber bullying is wrong and hurtful, BUT it is illegal to silence anyone that is not threatening to hurt someone. if it is a mere bulling of words and mean names being called it is just to bad, ignore it, that is all you can do because are patriotic rights state “freedom of speech” so it is unlawful to silence online bullys
February 6th, 2010 at 1:12 pm
Fairly great post, definitely helpful stuff. Never ever thought I’d obtain the information I would like in this article. I have been hunting all around the internet for a while now and was starting to get discouraged. Thankfully, I stumbled onto your internet site and received exactly what I had been browsing for.
February 9th, 2010 at 10:30 am
Maybe parents should sue Facebook. Most of the occurrances are involving children who are not old enough to actually have a Facebook account. They lie on the questionaire and parents have no access to the materials posted due to so called “privacy laws” . the parents can however be sued by the “wrong party” even though they are not able to see what their children are posting.
We cannot continue to ask our schools to be responsible for disciplining students when they are not at school, we have to empower parents with the rights to raise their children. An online company should not have the right to keep vital information from parents. Any time a parent wants to view a Facebook (or any other account) to ensure that their children are making good choices they should be able to. otherwise, don’t hold parents responsible for the actions of their children.
February 11th, 2010 at 3:05 pm
Does California have any state laws on Cyber Bullying????? H-E-L-P
:O
March 10th, 2010 at 10:23 pm
Hi webmaster - This is by far the best looking site I’ve seen. It was completely easy to navigate and it was easy to look for the information I needed. Fantastic layout and great content! Every site should have that. Awesome job
March 11th, 2010 at 6:46 pm
Our school looks at our facebook pages now watever happened to privacy
April 8th, 2010 at 8:34 am
I have been reading all of these blogs and I read one story, that explains the hurt a victim of cyberbullying is enduring, but then I read another blog that explains it is unconstitutional to make laws against cyberbullying. I have to say even after reading the horrific stories of victims to cyberbullying, I do not agree that there should be laws against cyberbullying. Yes, of course it is mean and hurtful and I can imagine the difficulty of dealing with that sort of “torture,” but at the same time I say, “grow up.” What you have to understand is, one by one our rights are subtly being yanked from underneath us. The foundation of our country- our rights, freedom- cannot be taken away because some people do not know how to understand others and result to cyberbullying. It’s pathetic really. A true coward lies within a cyberbully, for two reasons: they don’t have the guts and maturity to talk to the person face-to-face, so they go on the internet to terrorize instead. The second reason is really based on the first reason. A lot of cyberbullies conduct their vicious activities on the internet under a false name or no name at all. Faceless and nameless. Pathetic.
I am completely against those who turn to the immature act of cyberbullying, but they should not be arrested or reproached by the government for doing so. I understand cyberbullying is a growing cause of suicide and that is absolutely terrible, but we have the freedom of speech and press.
First Amendment: (it is the first for a reason)
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
April 20th, 2010 at 5:39 am
i was trying to contact facebook about this matter about posting my picture with tags of bad words without my consent. but then they just told me that they”ll get back to me… i dont know why they still keep that kind of fan page but i already sent them a report about this… what can i do… my lawyer wants to talk to them but then still now they’re not giving out there information
April 25th, 2010 at 3:24 pm
is there no site to complain about a sites lack of action of cyber bullies? i mean these aren’t kids these are grown adults, but kids from 13 go to this site. they have a report button but do nothing except send automated replies, this has been going on for at least 2 years and this site continues to allow it!
May 3rd, 2010 at 10:39 am
Protection against Children is great.. What about adults?? My 26 year old daughter committed suicide on April 8th after MONTHS of facebook harrassement, My Space, Texts and multi media harrassment and character defamation!
EACH AND EVERY STATE should protect ALL humans against these despicable, cowardly people.
May 6th, 2010 at 9:41 pm
Just contact a system adminastrator or something thats what I did when I got insulted.
May 8th, 2010 at 10:45 am
okay, so you people want to send people for prison for name calling? people have to right to freedom of speech, not the right of freedom from being called names! you want to stop being offended? then you have options: grow a spine, turn off the computer, or seek psychological help because you must have a mental disorder.
May 11th, 2010 at 12:01 am
exactyly seriously,I think if you are offended by being called stuff you are a wuss.
SUCK IT UP
May 12th, 2010 at 3:49 pm
no not really, how about you grow a spine and relize that words influence people, if Martin Luther the king jr. words can inspire a nation tio change its way for good then why cant these offensive words influens the oppressive feelings of rage and sadness that leads to suicide. on that note your not a wuss for being called a name your a human who undestands your right natrul human right to a prsence of self dignity.
and dont hide behind the first amendment coward, if you had a spine youd know that the first amendment dosnt allow the verbal assult or abuse that cyber bullying or bullying is. another asspect of my rant is the fact that if i cant go into a crowded area and shout fier or bomb then why should i or anyone else be aloud to go on the internet and advertise the harassment of others for there enjoyment. grow up and stop being childish.
May 12th, 2010 at 5:29 pm
have all of you cyber bullying victims tried this EXTREMELY simple sollution? ready for it? … stop going online… thats it. simple. what did they do before the internet or before the internet was so huge? life went on.
May 17th, 2010 at 9:48 am
My 13 year old teenage daughter is being harassed through the computer and phone she doesnt know how the people got her cell phone number but they did.She is really upset and cant stop thinking if they are watching her at night or not. If you have any advice please give it 2 me so i can help her out Thanks.
May 23rd, 2010 at 7:16 pm
It is perfectly constitutional to allow schools to suspend for name-calling, though I do not condone it personally, as the government is not imposing any sort of penalty.
To fine or try someone for exercising their constitutional right to free speech is apalling. The government should not involve itself in free speech; I’d rather have thousands of adolescents commit suicide daily. It’s their problem.
May 26th, 2010 at 2:32 pm
I agree yes you can suck it u and turn off the computar, but what about megan meier. She was only 13 and the people who caused here suicide knew she was on medication. The person who is doing the bulying does not know there person emotional state or what they are going through. They need to be aware of that and their actions. To bully someone is pathetic. There needs to be a sate wide law to charge a person with a felony for causing the person to kill themselves because they kept harrasing them.
June 1st, 2010 at 12:21 pm
Everyone you have to listen to me laws or no laws cyber bulling or bulling will never stop no matter what you try to do it’ll still be there as long as people have free will and the ability to hate one another it can’t be stop i bet everyone here has at least ounce told someone you will hurt them in some way its no different friend or not u dont know how they will react as human nature “bulling” will always be around no laws will effect it and if some one has the balls to comitte sucide i suggest not to and to get help and to go see a pyschietrist for it but at a population of around 7Billion and grow with constent baby boomers be my guest we will run out of food soon it enethitable
June 10th, 2010 at 7:00 pm
Seriously, the next person I see call somebody pathetic for being hurt by cyberbullying, Ima punch in the face. Do you honestly have feelings? You don’t know what it’s like unless you’ve been there. And if you say you have been and you say it’s no big, then obviously you don’t really know what the experience is like. It suffocates you. It carries into your social life. Nobody will talk to you at school. Your parents don’t care. If you tell the principal, he blows you off. You have literally nowhere to turn to. And all of this, happening at a crucial stage in life, is literally too much for people to bear. I am a perfectly fine, stable, and successful sixteen year old. I’m going to college, full time, and my life is great. My friends are great, my boyfriend’s great, my job is great, my education is great. But once upon a time, a short year ago, I almost took my life because of cyber bullying. The horrible things kids think up are amazing. I had sites following me around, dedicated to making me feel like hell. At school, the kids, and even the TEACHERS wouldn’t even look at me. I had nowhere to turn. I got out of it, but one of my close friends didn’t. Unless you’ve been there, please don’t tell people to grow backbones. Even the most confident people will break under so much hate; there’s something wrong with people if they DON’T.
June 10th, 2010 at 7:03 pm
Also: Freedom of speech means that you are able to share your mind. But the second it turns to a platform to be used to hurt, embarrass, and torment someone, it’s no longer speech: It’s harassment. People, hello, there’s a difference. Thanks.
June 13th, 2010 at 10:38 pm
I have been dealing with one on youtube for 8 months. Youtube is known for trolls. i had to go to the police about the one im dealing with and they did not do didly squat. Recently this guy made up a fake email pretending i sent it to him and he put in in there i said i was going to kill his kids and perform oral on his children which is a lie
This guy has been suspended Multiple times from youtube and is coming back under different names. This guy also has made death threats towards me and my family and even said he was going to set my dog on fire
The police dont really do to much.
June 15th, 2010 at 2:05 pm
BEING CALLED A NAME IS ONE THING; BUT WHEN A PERSON THREATENS TO COME OVER TO YOUR HOUSE AND BEAT YOU UP, THAT IS MUCH MORE THAN “NAME CALLING”….IN THE LEGAL SYSYTEM, WHEN ONE PERSON THREATENS ANOTHER PERSON WITH BODILY WARM, NO MATTER HOW IT IS DONE, WRITTEN, VERBAL OR RELAYED THRU ANOTHER PERSON, THAT ACTION IS CONSIDERED TO BE “TERRORISTIC THREATENING” AND IN SOME CASES, THERE CAN RESULT IN FEDERAL PRISON TIME FOR THE PERSON DOING THE THREATENING.
June 15th, 2010 at 11:03 pm
I have been and still a victim of cyber bullying as well. where those this stop. I have been cyber bullied by the same individual for the last 6 years now . how does this come to and end. It first started with the name calling and slowly progressed to poisoning my cats to beating my 70 year father helpless and defenseless . name calling is one thing. Beating your elders for no reason sounds fun. I have to constantly remind myself God is in control. in do time everyone will reap what they sow. They think they are getting away with it, there not. They may get away from the law . They can not hide from God Almighty. To all cyber victims, try not to worry . I know and can relate how you feel. I lost many jobs and harrassed all day long at times ,people following me, slandering me,it really sucks you feel alone . There is something that helps me a great deal.It may help you. Pray everyday to God and a talk to him like you would to your bestfriend. Because at the end he will become your bestfriend. Try not to worry about do idiots doing wrong . Its only for a season they get away. Just be patient. Watch and see what happens to these people. They will reap what they sow. So I leave you with this look up and be strong . God is watching and he knows your heart. It will be ok. dont forget to Pray everyday. this will help you tremendously. Proverbs 3:5-6. God Bless you!
June 16th, 2010 at 4:39 am
i am a victim of cyberbullying. Have been for 6 years. Those that think its hamless your wrong. It tends to escalate as time goes by. from name calling to poisoning my cats,busting the windows to my fathers car, and having my elderly father 70 years of age beaten in front of the house. He is now 72 years old. being followed where ever you go. Losing jobs, all the slander. It hurts, For all the victims out there. Hopefully soon they will pass a law. dont think there getting away with it. Everyone reaps what they sow.Whats help me is i pray to God . thats helped me tremendously . proverbs 3:5-6
June 16th, 2010 at 12:49 pm
To all those on here who say “suck it up” how would you feel if it was one of your family members who committed suicide?
Laws will never completely get rid of cyberbullying, but communication between parents and children can help. If a child can not act responsibly with technology, texting, social media, and all that stuff then parents should consider parental control filters so they can stop their kids from harassing others. The bullies need to be taught a lesson, and it would be more efficient if it were done by a parent rather than a law…But like them or not, the laws against this activity are coming.
June 27th, 2010 at 9:04 am
This is ridiculous. So now it’s a felony to hurt someone’s feelings. So much for the first amendment. Now it’s freedom of expression as long as none of the other 300 million people in the country are offended by it. Good luck with that. “If you can’t say something nice then don’t say anything at all” is quickly becoming law. I guess satire comedy will be outlawed next. Palin already started that ball rolling.
July 17th, 2010 at 12:44 am
im being humiliated and harrased on myspace what do i do
July 22nd, 2010 at 1:37 pm
stopping cyberbullying is like trying to outlaw gossip and slander. Yes, it all may be untrue but its impossible to stop. I have had photos, my license plate, phone numbers, fall instant messages sent all over the net. I have many enemies that I do not know. People in real life tell me about the pages theve seen about me. the thing I don’t understand is how these people can turn your friends against you. I don’t see this ending anytime soon. And the more people who become victims of this and the more that is known about it, will make people more and more afraid of the net. I think a lot of the community sites will close. Its more then name calling. Its defaming a name and trying to destroy their lives. The new York Post had an article yesterday on the job loss and blacklisting of people because of web pages or just making someone angry on the net . The roller coaster of lies just grows.
August 4th, 2010 at 10:38 am
Hi, I’m an 18 year old girl who has been being cyber bullied for about a 1/2 year now. I’m curious if there is anything I could possibly do. My school called the police for me, but they say since it’s over facebook or out of school mostly, they can’t help. As I said, it’s been going on for a 1/2 year now and I never once have responded or EVER posted/said a thing about this girl. She simply hates me and tries to make my life living hell since I dated her ex at one point. I still have saved all the posts/statuses but is there any legal way I can make this stop? I’ve blocked her on facebook and all her friends so they can’t contact me the moment is started happening, but it continues. I can’t even report it anymore since I removed her. Oh, and both her and I live in Vermont.
August 9th, 2010 at 8:54 am
I am being harrased and slandered on facebook how do i track the person responsible for this? This will effect my job if it continues.