Cyber Bullying.

[Advent_Winter]

It's been here pretty much since social networking began. Now, some states are even considering it to become a federal crime soon. I read about an article not too long ago, about this teen, who had commited suicide promptly because of bullying over cyberspace, and texts, from several of her classmates at school. After her death, the teens were later hit up with charges. Now, of course, this isn't of any surprise to me, as several cases just like this were already recorded. Now, what are your opinions about cyber bullying in general?Do you believe it should be considered a federal crime in our country? (United States.)

[Helbaworshipper]

Wow, touching a subject I sort of researched. To be honest, the problem with having another 'medium' is pretty simple. It is considering how people communicate. For example, face to face communication is simple. It requires a lot of etiquette. There are psychological implications for how your eyes look when acting, even. This is direct communication because the person is physically there in a certain capacity.

The internet started what is considered 'indirect' communication. Indirect communication means that you do not necessarily know who you're talking to. The idea that no one knows who you are can allow you to pose as someone else and cause damage. Cyber Bullying is essentially hurting others without them knowing who you are in a sense. You don't feel the guilt of doing it in person.

There are a lot of cases of it through any device that allows you to talk to another person. However, to call it a federal crime is to think that people are nice. Even the nicest people can be mean, it's called human nature. To make a law on cyber bullying will be hard. You have to first of all know:

1. What constitutes cyber bullying?
2. What conditions have to exist for it actually be a crime?
3. What sort of evidence do you need to prove it?
4. Who can be charged with the crime?
5. What kind of sentence can you give that seems fair?

In the end, it's hard to understand what is truly a fair punishment. I understand true bullying, but cyber bullying can be hard to recognize. I say things that could be considered that. I think this law could easily be abused.

'Sexting' has already become an issue with cell phones.

[S1lentOp]

It's been here pretty much since the internet began.

Fixed.

Getting jail time for being mean on the internet is as retarded as it sounds. If a states or the federal government wants to pass legislation making it a crime to say mean things to people on the internet, then I say go for it and have your ass struck down by the SCOTUS. Not only will it die promptly, but it would have been impossible to enforce.

[AuraTwilight]

We don't make playground bullying into a federal crime.

[Riouki_Myssaki]

U.S citizens will take it too seriously, as they do with everything. to the point where they abuse the law for gain.

what ever happened to "sticks and stones may break my bones, but names will never hurt me"?

cyber bullying is only cyber bullying when the "victim" takes it seriously enough their life from it.

tl;dr
hell no.

[Mirus]

You guys are simply against it because half of you would be in jail pretty much ~_~;


Anyway, if something you do harms someone else I belive there should be a consequence, specially if it drives a person to the point of commiting suicide and I mean this regardless of whether it's online or offline.

No <3 to you (Shame !)

[Helbaworshipper]

You guys are simply against it because half of you would be in jail pretty much ~_~;


Anyway, if something you do harms someone else I belive there should be a consequence, specially if it drives a person to the point of commiting suicide and I mean this regardless of whether it's online or offline.

No <3 to you (Shame !)

No, that's not really it.

If you look at my post, you'll see I'm not against a law being made, but it's the enforcement. Punishment for something over the internet is hard to take out. Maybe someone hacks someone's account and an innocent person is put into jail. There's too much abuse possible. Regulating the internet is a hard job, and even the media hasn't been able to.

How can you enforce something when there are hackers everywhere?

[Riouki_Myssaki]

You guys are simply against it because half of you would be in jail pretty much ~_~;


Anyway, if something you do harms someone else I belive there should be a consequence, specially if it drives a person to the point of commiting suicide and I mean this regardless of whether it's online or offline.

No <3 to you (Shame !)

Exhibit A.
taking name calling too personally and seriously, why the law should not be passed.

[AuraTwilight]

You guys are simply against it because half of you would be in jail pretty much ~_~;


Anyway, if something you do harms someone else I belive there should be a consequence, specially if it drives a person to the point of commiting suicide and I mean this regardless of whether it's online or offline.

No <3 to you (Shame !)

Way to generalize everyone who disagrees with you as a troll, you asshole.

BTW, most sane people would be against this sort of law because it takes responsibility away from the "victims." It essentially breaks down to running to the government because Person On the Internet called you a dum dum, and so the government has to waste tax dollars, time in court, and criminal justice resources to handle something that, really, wouldn't be a problem if the complainer had the emotional maturity every other generation has had since the beginning of time. When you punish people for saying mean words, you're validating the other person's actions of getting upset and throwing a fit over it. It's a big ass version of BAD PARENTING.

[Azure Knight]

While I'm against cyber-bullying and think it's a tragedy when people take their own lives because of it, passing a law preventing it will be very hard, because of the reasons that others posted earlier. The law has had a lot of trouble keeping up with technology. Minors sexting can be charged with distribution of child pornography, even if they are sending pictures of themselves to another person. I don't think that a law preventing cyber bullying be made for a long time. And regarding to Helbaworshipper's 5th question, I think that the sentence would depend on how the victim was affected, which could be from a harrasment charge to a murder charge.

[wave killer]

To me this is the same as fighting the "war" on drugs; no matter how hard you try it either doesn't get better or it will make things worse. So for me it shouldn't be federal crime but it still should be dealt with.

[grave robbing adept rogue]

Well it would be hard to get someone arrested for acctual cyber bullying, mainly because so many terms can be taken out of context, for example "Your such a noob" or "LOLOLOL RAPE!"

[hidora]

BTW, most sane people would be against this sort of law because it takes responsibility away from the "victims." It essentially breaks down to running to the government because Person On the Internet called you a dum dum, and so the government has to waste tax dollars, time in court, and criminal justice resources to handle something that, really, wouldn't be a problem if the complainer had the emotional maturity every other generation has had since the beginning of time. When you punish people for saying mean words, you're validating the other person's actions of getting upset and throwing a fit over it. It's a big ass version of BAD PARENTING.

I guess I shouldn't even bother posting here, since I'm not from the US, but I agree with that. People would abuse if there was a law like that.

[d5t]

Wow, touching a subject I sort of researched. To be honest, the problem with having another 'medium' is pretty simple. It is considering how people communicate. For example, face to face communication is simple. It requires a lot of etiquette. There are psychological implications for how your eyes look when acting, even. This is direct communication because the person is physically there in a certain capacity.

The internet started what is considered 'indirect' communication. Indirect communication means that you do not necessarily know who you're talking to. The idea that no one knows who you are can allow you to pose as someone else and cause damage. Cyber Bullying is essentially hurting others without them knowing who you are in a sense. You don't feel the guilt of doing it in person.

There are a lot of cases of it through any device that allows you to talk to another person. However, to call it a federal crime is to think that people are nice. Even the nicest people can be mean, it's called human nature. To make a law on cyber bullying will be hard. You have to first of all know:

1. What constitutes cyber bullying?
2. What conditions have to exist for it actually be a crime?
3. What sort of evidence do you need to prove it?
4. Who can be charged with the crime?
5. What kind of sentence can you give that seems fair?

In the end, it's hard to understand what is truly a fair punishment. I understand true bullying, but cyber bullying can be hard to recognize. I say things that could be considered that. I think this law could easily be abused.

'Sexting' has already become an issue with cell phones.

Helba, I've got a great book recommendation if you're really interested in digital anthropology - "The Psychology of the Internet" http://www.amazon.com/Psychology-Intern ... 521797098/

After reading this, I actually had a bigger understanding of all the dummies I've dealt with on dothackers (and I know you've probably seen your fair share too).

[Mirus]

How can you enforce something when there are hackers everywhere?

Atleast try and have a law against it, I mean underage teens drink alcohol and not all of them get caught but some do, creating a special force would surely create jobs too !

Exhibit A.
taking name calling too personally and seriously, why the law should not be passed.

That's what the court is for, you wont punish someone for something silly, a judge will decide what to do within reason

Way to generalize everyone who disagrees with you as a troll, you asshole.

BTW, most sane people would be against this sort of law because it takes responsibility away from the "victims." It essentially breaks down to running to the government because Person On the Internet called you a dum dum, and so the government has to waste tax dollars, time in court, and criminal justice resources to handle something that, really, wouldn't be a problem if the complainer had the emotional maturity every other generation has had since the beginning of time. When you punish people for saying mean words, you're validating the other person's actions of getting upset and throwing a fit over it. It's a big ass version of BAD PARENTING.

I was joking when I said that ...about half of you going to jail
Measures should be taken within reason, there are other laws that can be abused aswell and no one argues about them and no one starting another salem witch trial, we are in the 21st century

Also, courts are used for pretty idiotic things I dont see why not use it for this too

[Gemcrim]

Also, courts are used for pretty idiotic things I dont see why not use it for this too

Why add more fuel to the fire?

[zaseo]

As far as cyber bullying goes why don't people just stay ignore the stalker. If someone talks crap at you don't respond back especially if you don't the person. For social networking sites you could always block someone. If the person is over the net what could they do to you?

[Ratsu]

We don't make playground bullying into a federal crime.

This pretty much sums it up for me.


The way I see it, you can stop cyber bullying pretty easily... Shut. Off. The. Computer.

[Azure Knight]

As far as cyber bullying goes why don't people just stay ignore the stalker. If someone talks crap at you don't respond back especially if you don't the person. For social networking sites you could always block someone. If the person is over the net what could they do to you?

This would be the biggest hole in a law enforcing cyber bullying. Any defense attorney could easily argue that the victim could've left or ignored the person at any time, yet chose to stay and listen to the abuser. Even if taken to trial, the majority of people could get away with it on that argument alone.

[Mirus]

Also, courts are used for pretty idiotic things I dont see why not use it for this too

Why add more fuel to the fire?

Uh to enforce my point, why send kids to court for being 5 min late to school and not send people who bully others to court ?