Video Post: "Lawmaker Wants Cyberbullying Law"

Quick Thought: This news report discusses how a lawmaker in New York wants to severely punish cyberbullies when if their taunts turn tragic. The proposed law would charge people with manslaughter if their bullying or cyberbullying leads to another person's suicide. A conviction of manslaughter means many years in prison. Defending yourself against such a serious change can cost thousands of dollars, is much more costly than a defense against defamation.

READERS, what do you think?
Will people that the consequences of bullying more seriously if such acts were punishable by strict criminal prosecution?

More Cyberbullies Go to Court

Last fall, CAFFE blogged about a middle school student who sued her classmates because of a libelous Facebook profile. Legal experts there could be significantly more cyberbullying lawsuits in the future. So far, this seems to be true. Recently, an Oklahoma mother filed a lawsuit against Twitter, her local school district, and the families of two of her daughter's classmates. The suit claims that the classmates used Twitter to circulate a photo of the victim changing clothes in the school locker room. The lawsuit seeks damages of more than $75,000.

Another high school student was found guilty of violating computer crime laws after using Twitter to bully a mentally disabled student this past summer. Although he was not ordered to pay damages to the victim, he was sentenced to community service and now has a permanent blotch on his legal record. The conviction may make it difficult for this bully to get a job in the future.

As more legal steps are being taken against cyberbullying, young people must be aware of how to protect themselves against civil or criminal action. The best way to avoid being arrested or sued for cyberbullying is NEVER to bully another person. You cannot be at much risk of a defamation lawsuit if you never defame or knowingly spread false statements about anyone.

READERS, what do you think?

What do you think the money recovered from these lawsuits is used for?

Reference: 
Bland, A. (2013, January 7). Oklahoma Mom Sues Over Twitter Picture of Unclothed Daughter. Insurance Journal. Retrieved January 15, 2013, from http://www.insurancejournal.com/news/southcentral/2013/01/07/276233.htm.