Cyberbullying in Schools Today

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Bullying is an issue that has been in existence for a long time, yet it has not been adequately addressed. High-level forms of violence such as assault and murder historically receive the most media attention. Lower-level forms of violence such as bullying have only in recent years started to be addressed by researchers, parents and guardians, and authority figures. It is only in recent years that bullying has been recognized and recorded as a separate and distinct offence. A newer form of bullying that has only become an issue in recent years is that of cyberbullying. A majority of states have laws that explicitly include electronic forms of communication within harassment laws. The safety of schools is increasingly becoming a focus of state legislative action. There was an increase in cyber-bullying enacted legislation between the years of 2006 and 2010. Specifically this paper focuses on the policies on cyber-bullying in schools in the state of Tennessee by examining the definition and history of cyber-bullying, research and legislation on cyber-bullying, and efforts of Metropolitan Nashville Public schools against cyber-bullying.

Definitions of Cyberbullying

U.S. Department of Health Definition of Cyberbullying

Cyber-bullying is defined as bullying that takes place using electronic technology, including cell phones, computers, tablets, social media sites, test messages, chat rooms, and websites. Cyber-bullying is noted as being different because children who are cyberbullied are often bullied in person as well. Also, children who are cyberbullied struggle more with getting away from their aggressors. This is because cyber-bullying can occur at any time. It can reach a child when they are alone, is committed anonymously, di...

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Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools. (2012, May). Bulling and Harrassment SP 6.110. Nashville, TN: MNPS.

Murray, S. S., Hewitt, P., Maniss, S., & Molinatti, J. (2012). "They're just being kids": Recognizing and preventing bullying. National Social Science Journal, 39(1), 56-64.

Slovak, K., & Singer, J. B. (2011). School social workers' perceptions of cyberbullying. Children & Schools, 33(1), 5-16.

Thomlison, R. J., Thomlison, B., Sowers, K. M., Theriot, M. T., & Dulmus, C. N. (2004). School personnel's observations of bullying and victimization among rural elementary and middle school children. Journal Of Evidence-Based Social Work, 1(2/3), 25. doi:10.1300/J394v1n02•03

U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (Ed.). (2012). What is cyberbullying? Retrieved October 7, 2012, from http://www.stopbullying.gov/cyberbullying/what-is-it/index.html

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