Should Cyberbullying Be a Crime?

1205 Words3 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Cyberbullying definition, hong kong

‘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, “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 criminal offense. Several tragedies nationwide have been a result of cyberbullying, making state lawmakers more increasingly willing to criminalize such behavior. With new modern day technology, recent laws being legislated, and worldwide tragedies; cyberbullying has led to a growing awareness of the issue and prompting cyberbullying to become a criminal offense.
With the vastly advancing technology growing every day, cyberbullying is becoming a constant issue among teens and adolescents. A simple text, tweet, post, or video is all that it takes to ruin an individual's self-esteem. The Internet has become a tool for many different things, but unfortunately many individuals have chosen it to anonymously bullying other individuals. Cyberbullying is something one can never escape, due to that it can happen twenty four hours a day, seven days a week. Anything can be posted anonymously and can become wide-spread within minutes. The U.S Department of Health and Human Services states, “Kids who are cyber bull...

... middle of paper ...

...lsie. "Why Bullying Should Be Illegal." Google Sites. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Mar. 2014.
Federman, Eli. "Bullying Is Bad, But Criminalizing Bullying Would Be Even Worse." Forbes. Forbes Magazine, 23 Oct. 2013. Web. 13 Mar. 2014.
Mann, Denise. "Emotional Troubles for 'Cyberbullies' and Victims." WebMD. WebMD, 6 July 2010. Web. 11 Mar. 2014.
Nicole, Cinnie. "Sticks and Stones May Break My Bones." Mediate.com. The Christian Recorder, Oct. 2013. Web. 20 Mar. 2014.
Patchin, Justin W. "The Great Debate: Should Cyberbullying Be a Criminal Offense?"Cyberbullying Research Center The Great Debate Should Cyberbullying Be a Criminal Offense. Cyberbullying Research Center, 30 Nov. 2010. Web. 13 Mar. 2014.
Toppo, Greg. "USA TODAY." USATODAY.COM. USA News, 12 June 2012. Web. 13 Mar. 2014.
"What Is Cyberbullying." Home. U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, n.d. Web. 11 Mar. 2014.

Show More
Related

  • The Importance Of Bullying In The Glass Castle

    1419 Words  | 3 Pages

    The definition of bullying uses broad statements to define the actual meaning. Because of this, people may view the definition differently than others. Bullying can range from physical violence to verbal abuse to even cyberbullying. Most people do not realize how common cyberbullying actually is. Over half of teens and adolescents have been bullied online and almost the same number have engaged in the bullying (“Cyber Bullying Statistics”). Cyberbullying is becoming more and more prominent throughout this time period because of the technology continuing to expand around the world. Each year this statistic increasingly grows due to the technology

    Read More

  • Should Cyberbullying Be Prosecuted Essay

    517 Words  | 2 Pages

    Cyberbullying has become a huge problem, over the years in this world. Cyberbullying is defined as someone posting something embarrassing, threatening, harassing, stalk-like, rumors, gossip, fake identity etc. on the internet. Although, having bullying be a problem, with the growing of technology these days, bullying is being taken over by cyberbullying. This essay tells the question that some people are still wondering today. Should individuals involved in cyberbullying be prosecuted?

    Read More

  • Dbq Cyberbullying

    468 Words  | 1 Pages

    Cyberbullying is defined as behavior online that is “repeated, hostile, and severe with the intent to embarrass, threaten, or harass”, and it has become a serious problem. With the new popularity of social media and technology, victims of bullying have been finding it impossible to escape the onslaught of rude and embarrassing comments. Because of this, Congress has been trying to pass a law that states that people should be held responsible for the comments they make. Individuals should be prosecuted if the cyberbullying endangers someone's life, or severely affects the victim.     First, cyberbullying can lead to embarrassment and shame, which can be amplified by the wide audience.

    Read More

  • Cyber Bullying Essay

    699 Words  | 2 Pages

    Virginia, Bendel Draa, and D. Sydney Tara. "Cyberbullying: Challenges and Actions." Journal of Family and Consumer Sciences 101.4 (2009): 40-6. ProQuest Central. Web. 12 Dec. 2012.

    Read More

  • We Need Harsh Punishments for Cyberbullying

    2253 Words  | 5 Pages

    The 'O's. Opinion: Should Parents be Criminally Liable for Kids' Cyberbullying? CNN Opinion. CNN, 20 Oct. 2013. Web.

    Read More

  • Why Bullying Can’t Be Stopped?

    2036 Words  | 5 Pages

    McQuade, III, Samuel, James Colt, and Nancy Meyer. Cyber Bullying: Protecting Kids and Adults from Online Bullies. First Edition. Road West, Westport: Praeger Publishers, 2009. 47-49. Print.

    Read More

  • Cyber-Bullying: A Brief Research Proposal

    1671 Words  | 4 Pages

    Internet usage in children and adolescents has been increasing in a steadily fashion in the past number of years and with the increase in internet usage, a new form of bullying has developed – Cyber bullying. Cyber bullying can be defined as “the electronic posting of mean-spirited messages about a person,” (Merriam-Webster, 2012). This form of bullying can come through various mediums including but not limited to text messages, emails, videos, and social networking sites. There is an overwhelming amount of information that defines cyber bullying, identifies the demographics of bullies and victims of cyber bullying, and identifies the outcomes of cyber bullying on victims. More focus needs to be placed on who the perpetrators of this form of violence are and how this form of violence is linked to traditional bullying. This will allow researchers and practitioners to move forward with research and implementation preventative methods and intervention once the problem has already occurred.

    Read More

  • The Sociological Effects Of Cyberbullying

    1017 Words  | 3 Pages

    This sort of phenomenon makes major headlines regularly in recent times and effects a clear majority of today’s youth. State and local lawmakers have taken steps to prevent this type of bullying by making illegal under several criminal law codes. Michele Hamm, a researcher in pediatrics explained, “There were consistent associations between exposure to cyberbullying and increased likelihood of depression.” Cyberbullying became widespread among students with the rapid growth in use of cellular devices and the Internet. With this kind of technology bullies have the ability to send harmful messages to their recipients at any given time. This type of bullying is the hardest to control because it involves students but often happens off school grounds. However, because the evidence is material, students and parents could bring this evidence to the school and local police departments if a situation were to happen. Parents should be mindful of their child’s use of the internet and electronic messaging, cyberbullying usually takes place in a medium in which adults are seldom present (Mason, 2008). Also, instead of sending direct messages to other students, bullies use platforms such as social media and anonymous blogs to post harmful things for others to see. Educators must understand the significance of social media use to their students, especially

    Read More

  • Cyberbullying Argumentative Essay

    753 Words  | 2 Pages

    The initial reason why anyone who cyberbullies should be criminally accused is due to their harmful behavior that can result in people getting seriously hurt both mentally and physically. If the bully is convicted, cyberbullying can be stopped! As directly stated in the Radio Interview of source one “Cyberbullying can also lead to kids getting physically injured.” This statement further emphasizes why the outcome of this act should be punishable by law. Due to the fact that individuals face violent behavior, it could mean suicide for the victim. In no shape or form should this be tolerated since lives are taken due to the

    Read More

  • We Need to Pay Attention to Bullying and Cyber Bullying

    2457 Words  | 5 Pages

    In conclusion, cyber bullying is a problem that is growing exponentially with the expansion of today’s technology. In order to stop the hatred thrown onto children through the Internet, preventative strategies need to be put in place. Too many children are being worn down mentally and emotionally due to being bullying anonymously on social media, through texts, and over email messages. Ignoring this problem can not continue. There are so many promising preventative routes to take when approaching cyber bullying. More people need to be educated and aware of the prevention methods available to them, because the varieties of prevention methods are endless.

    Read More

  • Essay On Cyberbullying

    1081 Words  | 3 Pages

    Cyberbullying is a type of bullying that takes place with the use of any electronic technology. Cyberbullying is a major problem affecting young people today. There are different types of cyberbullying. This topic comes as an interest to many people these days because bullying is very common and it can ruin a person’s life. These days, cyberbullying is considered a new form of bullying. It can happen over the internet by computer, mobile phone or any other electronic devices. Cyberbullying could involve any form of unpleasant words or pictures being displayed on the internet for others to see. It could also involve the spreading of lies about the victim on the internet. Many people are stepping up efforts to prevent bullying in the first place. Approximately half of U.S. students are impacted by traditional bullying each school day (Ross). Bullying peaks in middle school, then reduces in high school. Other types of bullying may involve the passing of notes behind someone’s back, rumors being whispered about someone, or being threatened in the internet. The most common types of cyberbullying include passing of humiliating photos, cell phone pranks, cyber stalking, impersonation, online slam books, and text wars. Bullies appear scary but truthfully they are the unhappy ones. Majority of bullies have been bullied by parents, siblings, or other young people. This may trigger them to bully and pick on other kids.

    Read More

  • Cyberbullying

    761 Words  | 2 Pages

    Cyberbullying should be a criminal offense because whether it’s bullying or cyberbullying, it still damages a person emotionally and physically. Admittedly, many will argue that it is crossing the line to force perpetrators behind bars when it is not even bullying, but some foul words thrown in social sites. However, there is no difference between cyberbullying and offline bullying when it is still an issue that constantly eats away at its victims, abusing them with hurtful words and messages. “The United States Department of Health and Human Services calculated the percentages of bullied victims, where 37% of teens have been physically bullied, while 52% of teens have been cyberbullied” (Cyber/Bullying Statistics). Studies shown indicate that there have been more cases of cyberbullying than offline bullying, whereas people believe that “cyberbullying is not real bullying” and “it is to speak out in what...

    Read More

  • Cyberbullying Among Teens

    939 Words  | 2 Pages

    Imagine being personally targeted and bullied by another individual constantly. Maybe never seriously injured but verbally abused in person and possibly online. The issue of cyberbullying can be quite pivotal in this new generation. Cyberbullying is a controversial matter that the world must address because of how it can occur anywhere at any time, causes harm to targeted people, and affects all associated parties.

    Read More

  • Cyber Bullying

    1461 Words  | 3 Pages

    Stutzky suggests that cyber bullying is the use of modern communication technologies to embarrass, humiliate, threaten, or intimidate an individual in the attempt to gain power and control over them. Bullying has been around since the beginning of time. These days however, bullying isn’t just happening on the playground, it’s happening on the internet and mobile phones, making it possible to bully a child 24 hours a day. Cyber bullying follows children around the clock and into the safety of their own bedrooms. A recent survey by MindOh!, an educational company that follows youth trends, reported that nearly 80% of the 5,500 teens that were surveyed said that they had been exposed to cyber bullying. Cyber bullying affects the mental health of so many young adolescents around the world, and the issue is steadily increasing as more and more ways to bully are created.In extreme incidents, cyber bullying has led teenagers to suicide. Most victims, however, suffer shame, embarrassment, anger, depression and withdrawal. While technology continues to evolve, new means of communication enable today’s bullies to become more effective in terrorizing and tormenting their victims. The aim was to increase awareness and decrease the prevalence of cyber bullying- Year 9 at Meridan State College being the stakeholders (people involved).

    Read More

  • Causes Of Bullying Essay

    882 Words  | 2 Pages

    With technology progressing, students are moving past face to face hectoring, and are verbally bullying other through social media. Cyberbullying can sometimes become more harmful than verbal, physical, and emotional bullying due to victims, not feeling like they have an escape route because they are threatened repeatedly through text messages, e-mails, social media, etc. The worst part about cyberbullying is that the things posted can be anonymous; therefore, there is no blame for who posts what. A victim can suspect that someone is to blame for the actions done, but there is no proof to solve a possible ongoing issue. Cyberbullying and bullying are actually considered a crime when someone: physically assaults another person, gender or racism is talked about, violent or deadly threats are made, sexually texting, inappropriate photos, stalking,

    Read More

More about Should Cyberbullying Be a Crime?

Open Document