Harsher Punishments for Cyberbullies By: Janeca Latore Section 001

What is Cyberbullying?  Cyber bullying” is defined as the use of electronic communication to bully a person, typically by sending messages of an intimidating or threatening nature.

Types of Cyberbullying  Flaming: Online fights usually through s, instant messaging or chat rooms where angry and rude comments are exchanged.  Denigration: Putting mean online messages through , instant messaging, chat rooms, or websites set up to make fun of someone.

Types of Cyberbullying  Impersonation: Pretending to be someone else when sending or posting mean or false messages online.  Harassment: Repeatedly sending malicious messages to someone online.  Cyberstalking: Continuously harassing and denigration including threats of physical harm.

Types of Cyberbullying  Outing: Sharing secrets about someone online including private information, pictures, and videos.  Trickery: Tricking someone into revealing personal information then sharing it with others.  Exclusion: Intentionally leaving someone out of a group such as instant messaging, friend sites, or other online group activities.

Rebecca Sedwick Rebecca Sedwick, 12, jumped to her death after a dispute between her and her former best friend over a boy they had both dated. Rebecca was cyberbullied for a year and a half before she committed suicide. The two girls responsible for Rebecca’s death were originally being charged with felony aggravated stalking but the charges were dropped. The defense attorney on the case said that the charges were dropped because there was “zero evidence of any stalking in this case”.

Rebecca Sedwick  In the case of Rebecca Sedwick, her bullies were harassing and cyberstalking her because, although not charged for it, her bullies were sending her menacing messages on Facebook and calling her ugly and telling her to drink bleach and die. Even after Rebecca’s death one of her bullies said, “'Yes, I bullied Rebecca and she killed herself but I don't give a f---.“. Harassment Cyberstalking

Rebecca Sedwick  In a case like this one, there were no consequences for the bullies because there are no strong anti-bullying laws in Florida, the state the case occurred in. If there were tougher anti-bullying laws and harsher punishments, more people would be aware of how serious bullying is and how drastically it could affect your life and especially your victims life. Stop Cyberbullying Rebecca Sedwick Case "Tipping Point"

Consequences of Cyberbullying  Each cyberbullying incident is dealt with on a case by case basis and depends a lot on the parents as well as the school the child is attending.  Each state also handles cyberbullying cases very differently because they have different laws and regulations towards cyberbullying.

State Cyberbullying Laws

Civil Law vs. Criminal Law  A civil law deals is filed by a private party and deals with the disputes between individuals, organizations, or between the two, in which compensation is awarded to the victim.  The type of punishment for that is compensation (usually financial) for injuries or damages, or an injunction in nuisance.  A criminal law is filed by the government and deals with crime and the legal punishment of criminal offenses.  The type of punishment for that is a guilty defendant is subject to Custodial (imprisonment) or Non-custodial punishment (fines or community service). In exceptional cases, the death penalty.

What the consequences for cyberbullying should be  Cyberbullying should be considered a criminal offense. It should be considered criminal because it does not only harm the victims, it also affects the people that are around the victim, thus to an extent making the bully’s acts a disruption and harmful act to a community.

Cyberbullying  The laws about cyberbullying are usually grouped together with the laws for bullying in general. However, cyberbullying should have a law on it’s own which results in criminal offenses. If the consequences were greater for cyberbullying then bullies would think twice before they torment people.

References  "5 Different Types of Cyberbullying." End to Cyber Bullying Organization ETCB. 1 Jan Web. 14 Apr  "Cyberbullying Laws - Cyberbullying Research Center." Cyberbullying Research Center Information About Cyberbullying Laws Comments. 1 Jan Web. 14 Apr  "Charges Dropped in Rebecca Sedwick Bullying Case - CNN.com." CNN. Cable News Network, 12 Nov Web. 14 Apr  Newcomb, Alyssa. "Teen Charged in Fatal Cyberbullying Case of Rebecca Sedwick to Remain in Jail."ABC News. ABC News Network, 15 Oct Web. 14 Apr