Schroeder 1

Deydree Schroeder
Professor Tiffany Seeley-Case
Digital Communication
24 March 2016
Should Cyberbullying be Treated More Harshly?
Cyberbullying is when a child, preteen, or a teenager is tormented,
threatened, harassed, humiliated, embarrassed or otherwise targeted by
another child, preteen, or teenager using electronic technology. Both parties
involved would have to be a minor for the situation to be known as
cyberbullying because if adults become involved it is cyber-harassment or
cyberstalking. Cyberbullying is becoming a large problem that needs to be
addressed through laws and not necessarily through the school
administration.
Electronic technology includes devices and equipment such as cell
phones, computers, and tablets. When using this electronic technology,
communication tools can include social media sites, text messaging
applications, chat forums, and websites. Examples of cyberbullying can
include, but are not limited to: mean text messages or emails, rumors sent
by email or posted on social networking sites, embarrassing pictures, videos,
websites, or fake profiles.

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Cyberbullying is different from regular bullying because it can happen

at any time: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Messages and images can be
posted anonymously and distributed quickly to a very wide audience at any
hour of the day. It can be difficult and sometimes impossible to trace the
source of anonymous messages since the offenders can use any equipment
wherever they are. Once the inappropriate or harassing messages, texts, and
pictures have been sent out, it is extremely difficult to delete them.
Kids tend to cyberbully for many different reasons. The internet gives a
child a false sense security because they are able to be anonymous and for
this reason, they feel they wont get caught. Some bullies arent able to see
the reactions of their victims making it easier for them to say and do things
they normally wouldnt. Some kids lack empathy. They dont see the pain
they cause and have little to no remorse for their actions. Bullying can also
make them feel funny, powerful, and popular. Sometimes the bully feels the
victim deserves it or that the bullying is warranted and deserved. In this
case, the cyberbully would most likely not feel any remorse or guilt for their
actions. The term online disinhibition effect is defined as a loosening (or
complete abandonment) of social restrictions and inhibitions that would
otherwise be present in a normal face-to-face interaction and can be a
reason for poor interactions with others on the internet.
When kids are cyberbullied they are more likely to use drugs and
alcohol, skip school, experience in-person bullying, be unwilling to attend

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school, receive poor grades, have a lower self-esteem, and have more health
problems. Also, bullied kids have issues with suicide and violence. Suicide
among 10-14 year olds have increased 50% over the last three decades and
15% of students reported to have seriously consider suicide, 11% reported to
creating a suicide plan, and 7% reported to trying to take their own life in the
12 month preceding the survey. New research on 37 school shootings,
including Columbine and Sandy Hook, found that almost three-quarters of
student shooters felt bullied, threatened, attacked, or injured by others.
Several shooters reported experiencing long-term and severe bullying and
harassment from their peers.
As of right now, there are no federal laws specifically for cyberbullying.
But federal stalking charges can be brought up against offenders in extreme
cases. Each state has their own laws and policies for cyberbullying. Most
states authorize school districts to impose suspensions or other
administrative penalties on children who engage in cyberbullying during
school hours or school sponsored events. Schools that receive federal
funding have an obligation to stop harassment or bullying that includes
discrimination against race, color, sex, age, religion, or disability. It has been
difficult to pass laws against cyberbullying because it involves issues with
the First Amendment. The highest court in New York struck down that states
anti-cyberbullying law as an unlawful restriction on the freedom of speech.

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Despite some of the issues within the court system, I think that the
topic is important enough for our childrens welfare to continue to find ways
to push forward with passing a law that not only works with our First
Amendment but cracks down on cyberbullying. The future of our children
should be enhanced by technology and not compromised because of
cyberbullying.

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Works Cited
Gordon, Sherri. "8 Reasons Why Kids Cyberbully Others." About Health.
ZergNet, 8 Mar. 2016. Web. 16 Mar. 2016.
<http://bullying.about.com/od/Cyberbullying/a/8-Reasons-Why-KidsCyberbully-Others.htm>.
"Get the Facts." Hey U.G.L.Y. Web. 17 Mar. 2016.
<http://www.heyugly.org/aboutStatistics.php>.
Hirby, J. "Punishment for Cyberbullying." The Law Dictionary. Black's Law
Dictionary Free 2nd Ed. and The Law Dictionary Law Dictionary: Punishment
For Cyberbullying. Web. 18 Mar. 2016.
<http://thelawdictionary.org/article/punishment-for-cyberbullying/>.
Nathan, Geoffrey. "Federal Cyberbullying Laws & Charges Statute of
Limitations." FederalCharges.com. Web. 18 Mar. 2016.
<http://www.federalcharges.com/cyberbullying-laws-charges/>.
"What Is Cyberbullying, Exactly?" STOP Cyberbullying. National Crime
Prevention Counsil. Web. 18 Mar. 2016. <b.
http://www.stopcyberbullying.org/what_is_cyberbullying_exactly.html>.
"Online Disinhibition Effect." Goodtherapy.org. 12 Aug. 2015. Web. 20 Mar.
2016. <http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/psychpedia/online-disinhibitioneffect>.
"Bullying Suicide Statistics." Nobullying.com. 30 July 2014. Web. 18 Mar.
2016. <http://nobullying.com/bullying-suicide-statistics/>.
"What Is Cyberbullying." Stopbullying.gov. Web. 18 Mar. 2016.
<http://www.stopbullying.gov/cyberbullying/what-is-it/>.
"Policies and Laws." Stopbullying.gov. Web. 18 Mar. 2016.
<http://www.stopbullying.gov/laws/>.