Response from Administrators
Most schools have policies regarding physical and emotional bullying on school property. Many are now extending their protective policies to include cyber bullying, whether it occurs on school property or at home. While some argue that the administration should not have disciplinary rights outside of the school, most realize that cyber bullying is merely an extension of bullying that already occurs during the school day.
Green Bay School District recently drafted cyber bullying policy measures.
Video streamed from Youtube
Response from Teachers and Counselors
Many teachers and counselors have begun to incorporate issues of cyber bullying and e-sponsibility into their lesson plans. This is discussed on this blog's Solutions page.
Response from Law Makers
A number of states have passed strong cyber bullying laws. These are intended to protect children from harrassment, threat, and humiliation online. A few of these laws are discussed below.
- Arkansas - In 2007, a law was passed by Arkansas legislature that allowed school officials to take action against cyber bullies whether the events occurred on school property or not.
- Iowa - This state has several laws which cover bullying "in schools, on school property or at any school function or school-sponsored activity."
- Oregon - Recently, laws passed in Oregon expand the boundaries of cyber bullying to include actions which "substantially interfere" with the education of the young person.
- Missouri - The suicide of a 13-year-old cyber bullying victim prompted Governor Matt Blunt to create the Internet Harassment Task Force whose sole purpose is studying and creating laws regarding cyber bullying. Cyber bullying was also upgraded from a misdemeanor to a Class D felony.
- Rhode Island - The governor is attempting to pass a bill forcing repeat cyber bullying offenders to attend family court.
- Vermont- This state added a $500 fine to their laws against cyber bullying.
This map shows the states and their policy measure regarding bullying and cyber bullying.
Image streamed from End Cyber Bullying
Resources:
"Cyber Bullying State Laws and Policies." Cyber Bully Alert. Vanden Corporation. 8 Oct. 2008. Web. 2 Jun. 2011. <http://www.cyberbullyalert.com/blog/2008/10/cyber-bullying-state-laws-and-policies/>.
"State[Cyber]bullying Laws." End Cyber Bullying; A Site Against Harmful Behaviors. 8 Apr. 2011. Web. 2 Jun. 2011. <http://no2cyberbullying.wordpress.com/news/caitriona-leone-infographic-2/>.
"Stop Cyberbullying - Guide for Parents." Safety Web. 14 Feb. 2011. Web. 2 Jun. 2011. <http://www.safetyweb.com/stop-cyber-bullying>.
