Should Cyberbullying Be a Crime Essay examples - 1208 Words

‘Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me’ (The Christian Recorder). This is the infamous saying that many have heard since they were young. With vastly growing technology today, face to face bullying is being replaced with what is known as ‘cyberbullying’. Cyberbullying is defined as, â€Å"an aggressive intentional act carried out by a group or individual using electronic forms of contact repeatedly and over against a victim who cannot easily defend him or herself† (WebMD). It can take place using cell phones, computers, tablets, social media sites, text messaging, and/or chat rooms. Cyberbullying has become a growing awareness nationwide, prompting lawmakers to act and propose new laws making cyberbullying a†¦show more content†¦Ã¢â‚¬Å"Several states across the United States have been continuously adding cyberbullying on top of harassment laws that have already been in place† (National Conference of State Le gislatures). The crackdown on cyberbullying has become a big priority for many lawmakers nationwide. New laws will give power to school officials and prosecutors to make decisions based on the severity of the situation. A school official will have the ability to suspend or expel the bully, while a prosecutor will have the ability to fine the bully and/or up to one year of imprisonment. In the state of Maryland as of October 1, 2013, ‘Grace’s Law’, was passed. This law states that, â€Å"It prohibits a person from using an â€Å"interactive computer service to maliciously engage in a course of conduct that inflicts serious emotional distress on a minor or places a minor in a reasonable fear of death or serious bodily injury. Violators who are guilty of a misdemeanor are punishable by imprisonment for up to one year and/or $500 maximum fine† (General Assembly of Maryland). ‘Grace’s Law’ was proposed after 15 year old Grace McComas comm itted suicide in April of 2012, after relentlessly being cyber bullied over Twitter, Facebook, and Email. Seeing cyberbullying laws being passed by states makes it more comforting for victims of cyberbullying because he/she knows that their bully will one day be held liable for their vile behaviors.Show MoreRelatedThe Issue of Cyberbullying1694 Words   |  7 PagesIntroduction Should cyberbullying be considered a crime? What are the punishments for cyberbullying? What kinds of behaviors are categorized as cyberbullying? This paper reviews those issues and provides supporting literature. Thesis: Cyberbullying has become far more than a nuisance and a distraction in public schools and hence strict rules should be enacted to deter cyberbullying. When a state legislature passes a criminal law in order to dissuade students from cyberbullying and it passes throughRead MoreCyberbullying Is A Crime Persuasive Speech937 Words   |  4 PagesCyberbullying is a Crime-Persuasive Speech â€Å"95% of all teens, ages 12 through 17 are now online...† (Meier). The internet is now a prominent part of the 21st Century society. We are able to communicate with practically anyone, anywhere, instantly, regardless of the distance between us. Electronics and the internet are fast becoming a vital part of our daily lives and this can make them more susceptible to misuse. By using technology, people can communicate anything they want with very few possibleRead MoreThe Problem of Cyber Bullying1323 Words   |  6 Pagesharassed, humiliated, embarrassed or otherwise targeted by another teenager using the internet, other technologies, or mobile phones† (â€Å"what is cyberbullying?†). Cyberbullying can range from one extreme to another. Some teens think death is the answer, others ignore the cyberbullying and create groups to prevent it for happening to others. In addition to cyberbullying causing different reactions in teenagers, there are also many different ways the teen them self, their parent, and a witness of the cyberRead MoreComputer Fraud And Abuse Act ( Cfaa ) And Cyberbullying Essay1665 Words   |  7 PagesEmily Jessep Intellectual Property Crimes Professors Dreyfuss and First November 15, 2016 INCOMPATIBLE: The Computer Fraud and Abuse Act (CFAA) and Cyberbullying I. Introduction The Computer Fraud and Abuse Act (CFAA) does not cover cyberbullying done via social networking websites and should not be used to prosecute it. Application of the CFAA to cyberbullying prosecutions is inconsistent with the intended scope of the statute and the existing interpretations of its provisions. PracticallyRead MoreAs Of Now There Is No Federal Statute That Is Against Cyberbullying1200 Words   |  5 PagesAs of now there is no federal statute that is against cyberbullying (Strictkland, 2010). In 2009, there was a bill that was introduced to be an add on to the Megan Meier Cyberbullying Prevention Act. The bill states that it would be within violation of the law if an individual were to transmit in interstate or foreign commerce any communication, with the intent to coerce, intimidate, harass, or cause substantial emotional distress to a person, using electronic means to support severe, repeated, andRead MoreCyberbullying : A New Source Of Communication And Socializing Fo r Young People Today1379 Words   |  6 Pagesevery teenager has a social network account, and uses it at least once a day. The problem that Internet has brought is cyberbullying. Cyberbullying has badly affected many people and taken some lives. Action should be taken in order to address this issue. The bullies should get some type of punishment no matter what age they are and the victim should be offered help. Cyberbullying is known as bullying with words, pictures, video, or anything that people do through the Internet. The Merriam WebsterRead MoreThe Invisible Bully: Cyberbullying941 Words   |  4 PagesLife should be the creation of beauty, happiness, and sincerity, however, our generation has allowed these values to decrease through the form of cyberbullying. Cyberbullying is when someone uses technology to threaten, harass, embarrass, or target another person publicly (New, 2012). The technologies that are starting to be used are no longer just computer, however, has expanded to phones, tablets, and even game systems (New, 2012). By definition, cyberbullying is used to describe the misuse ofRead MoreCyberbullying : What Teachers And Schools Can Do From The Scholastic Inc.1140 Words   |  5 Pagesofficial states in her article Cyberbullying: What teachers and schools can do from the Scholastic Inc. in 2014, â€Å"42% of kids have been bullied online—1 in 4 have had it hap pen more than once†. Central Idea: Cyberbullying must be stopped, cyberbullies are using sites like Facebook and text messaging to bully their victims. According to cyberbullying statistics in their article Bullying Statistics in 2013 states around half of all teens have been victims to cyberbullying, the person sitting next to youRead MoreA New Form of Bullying: Cyberbullying1259 Words   |  5 Pagesin person; but, in this generation, cyberbullying is a new form of harassment that goes beyond the schoolyard. This way, individuals can be bullied all day and any day, but when you ask teens today, 81% of them think it is funny. (NPC) This shows that most teens do not think of cyberbullying as much of a threat, even though the rate in has gone up. In 2008–2009, the School Crime Supplement indicates that 6% of students in grades 6–12 experienced cyberbullying. (Stop Bullying) Six percent of theRead MoreCyberbullying : A Problem Of Today s Society1087 Words   |  5 PagesCyberbullying Cyberbullying is a major problem in today’s society. The recent increase in cyberbullying has become so serious; it has become a priority for many citizens to become involved in identifying risk factors and providing the necessary help. Cyberbullying is when people, specifically children, are targeted and harassed through social media and technology. Cyberbullying can happen anytime, day or night, and reach a person even when he or she is alone. â€Å"Messages and images can be posted anonymously