Controversy Concerning Cyber Bullying

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Monica Reis EGL-311 Controversy Concerning Cyber Bullying In the 21st century cyber bullying has become a part of our everyday lives. It is deliberating harming an individual or group of individuals through information and computer technologies. This fast growing trend has some experts believing it to be more detrimental than typical school yard bullying; because of the “24/7” access society has with the internet. (Webster, Chris, 2007). A recent studied stated that approximately half of teenagers who are either in middle school or high school have been bullied through at least one source of electronic technology. Everyone is affected by cyber bullying; both males and females can be sufferers, tormentors or even both (Findling, Robert L. MD, 2010). With this epidemic growing the debate is no longer focused on if cyber bullying is damaging, but more on the lack of involvement with schools and law enforcements. Laws are now being passed in the United States because of the incidents occurring over cyber bullying. The laws include cyber bullying, however the focus is “bullying” in general. Many states enforce the local school districts to pass a policy (Social Safety, 2008). New York State has proposed to increase the penalty of hazing from misdemeanor to felony. By education law they will prohibit “bullying and cyber bullying” on school property, including a school function (Cyber Bullying Research Center, 2011). Although laws are being passed to prevent cyber bullying on school property, it is still occurring because of many educators that feel unprepared or unwilling to handle these situations. Some are unsure of the extent of their authority. School district discipline codes often say little about incidents that occur over student cell phones, home computers and off-campus speech because the majority of the instances will occur after school is let out

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