Enhancing law penalty to prevent cyberbullying among.docx
Cyber-Bullying in Schools
1. Cyber – Bullying on School Grounds Kasi Huver EDU 290 Author: wsilver
2. What is Cyber – Bullying? According to http://www.stopcyberbullying.org: “Tormented, threatened, harassed, humiliated, embarrassed or otherwise targeted by another child…” “…minor on both sides, or at least have been instigated by a minor against another minor.”
6. Ways in Which People Cyber – Bully Others Texting Emails or IMs Chat Rooms Facebook/Myspace Signing the victim up for adult websites Posting pictures of photo shopped images Launching “hate” websites Building fake profiles Author: compujeramey
7. Why Does It Happen? A sense of underachievement Sense of isolation Attention Oppression Conflict in values/morals Revenge Easier with the use of technology http://www.qcert.org/tips/cyberbully-workshop-english.pdf
8. How Does it Affect the Classroom? Constant awareness of what others think of them Unable to focus/participate Causes low self-esteem and lack of self-confidence Causes “fear” of the classroom
9. Current Laws The following can be grounds for arrest and prosecution: Making threats of violence to people or their property. Engaging in coercion Making obscene or harassing telephone calls Harassment or stalking. Hate or bias crimes. Creating or sending sexually explicit images of teens Sexual exploitation Taking a photo of someone in place where privacy is expected
10. Current Laws Author: mrbill “Schools clearly have a duty to ensure that students are using school network or mobile devices in a manner that does not harm other students.” Freedom of Speech violated? http://www.ebasedprevention.org/toolbox/bullying/cyberbullying-legal-issues
11. What is Being Doneto Stop it? Author: Vince Alongi No law in Michigan that protects cyber bullying victims 2006 session – anti bullying legislation proposed Reintroduced in 2007 http://www.bullypolice.org/mi_law.html
12. Recap Common among preteens and teens Comes in a variety of forms Occurs for many reasons Causes fear of the school setting No current law in Michigan Author: geerlingguy
13. Sources Cited Photos: Alongi, Vince, “City Stamps: Stop Sign,” http://www.flickr.com/photos/vincealongi/337090052 compujeramey, “Cell Phone Cameras,” http://www.flickr.com/photos/compujeramey/168108824 mrbill, “Worshipful Master’s Gavel,” http://www.flickr.com/photos/mrbill/3355278756 wsilver, “Empty Swingset,” http://www.flickr.com/photos/psycho-pics/3557813915/ Information “What is Cyberbullying, exactly?” WiredKids Inc. 20 March 2010. <http://www.stopcyberbullying.org>. Younces, Wiam. “Cyber Bullying.” Carnegie Mellon University. 2007. 20 March 2010. <http://www.qcert.org/tips/cyberbully-workshop-english.pdf>. Mason, Kimberly. “Cyberbullying: Legal Issues.” The Creative Department. 19 March 2010. <http://www.ebasedprevention.org/toolbox/bullying/cyberbullying-legal-issues>. High, Brenda. “Michigan: No Law.” 20 March 2010. <http://www.bullypolice.org/mi_law.html>.
Editor's Notes
For my current events project, I researched cyber bullying and how it affects the classroom setting, as well as causes, and ways it occurs.
According to stopcyberbullying.org, cyber bullying is “Being tormented, threatened, harassed, humiliated, embarrassed or otherwise targeted by another child, preteen or teen using the Internet, interactive and digital technologies or mobile phones.” In order to be considered cyber-bullying, there have to be a minor (or person under 18) involved on both sides of the issue.
There are two different types of cyber-bullying: Direct attacks, which consist of any form of hurtful messages being sent directly to a person. The other is be proxy. This involves the use of other people to help deliver the bully’s messages to the victim. This is usually done with the assistant’s knowledge of the bully’s intentions, but sometimes they are unaware of what is really going on.
People can be affected by texts, emails or instant messages, chat rooms, facebook and myspace, signing the victim up for adult websites, posting photo shopped pictures of the victim online, launching hate websites, building fake websites, and many other ways. These are seemingly simple, everyday things – but can easily be used to hurt others.
People feel the need to bully others for a range of reasons. Some feel a sense of underachievement in their studies, extracurricular activities, at home, etc. Others feel a sense of isolation which leads to a want for more attention. Bullying others puts more attention on them and when they put someone else down, it makes them feel better about themselves. This also leads to oppression – or a need for power over others, most times by making others feel bad about themselves. Some kids have a conflict in values or morals because of the way they were raised, religion, class, and social surroundings. Often times, bullying occurs because two (or more) people were friends and had some sort of disagreement or argument. This results in one person wanting revenge and, if they were friends, they probably know a lot about the person. In the past few years, the rise of technology leads to cyber bullies having an easier time transferring information. Texting, facebook, profiles, and other web and phone browsers were not available a ten years ago…and ways to bully is becoming much easier to do – especially when it no longer has to be done face-to-face.
Cyber bullying can affect the way a student thinks and acts in the school and each classroom. The victim is always aware of what others think of them which makes it hard for them to focus in class. When a student is being bullied, school is the last thing on their mind. They are much more worried about what will be said about them next than commas, colons, or the quadratic formula. Bullying causes a lower self-esteem and lack of self-confidence which results in a lack of willingness to answer questions in class and participate in group activities. Also, if the victim has a shared class with the bully, the are somewhat “afraid” of the classroom. They often don’t want to show up for class, and therefore, fall behind in their work.
The following can be, but is not always, grounds for arrest and prosecution:Making threats of violence to people or their property.Engaging in coercion (trying to force someone to do something he or she doesn’t want to do).Making obscene or harassing telephone calls (this text messaging).Harassment or stalking. Hate or bias crimes.Creating or sending sexually explicit images of teens (this is child pornography).Sexual exploitationTaking a photo of someone in place where privacy is expected (like a locker room)
As a school, they have a duty to ensure that students are using school network or mobile devices correctly, and in a manner that doesn’t hurt other students. This can be ensured by blocking social networking sites (such as facebook, myspace, msn messenger, etc). However, some people fear that a person’s right to free speech is being violated when they are punished for voicing their opinions about someone which partly leads to the government having a hard time passing laws against cyber bullying.
Currently, there is no law in Michigan that protects the victims of cyber bullying. In 2006, Glenn Anderson proposed an anti bullying legislation, but it did not pass. It was reintroduced in 2007 and passed the State House. Once it made it to the Senate Education Committee, no action occurred.
As an overview, cyber bullying is becoming more common among preteens and teens. It comes in a variety of forms and occurs for many different reasons. It often results in a fear of the school and classroom. Despite efforts to create a law protecting victims of cyber bullying, there is no current law in Michigan.
