Cyber bullying and the law

In most cases children and young people use mobile phones and the internet appropriately to swap gossip, make plans for the weekend, discuss outfits or debate the latest football results.

However, when this technology is abused, or used to harass or threaten others, there may be legal consequences. There are four UK statute laws and one Scottish common law that are relevant to the use of IT in relation to bullying. These are:

• The Protection from Harassment Act 1997
• The Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994
• The Malicious Communications Act 1998
• The Communications Act 2003
• Breach of the Peace (common law)

Be careful about what you write and what you say.

If you are having issues with your friends or someone else, whether it be at school or in other places, try not to react to them via email, text or social networking sites. It’s easy to say something hurtful when you’re feeling angry or upset, but if it’s written down or posted online, it’s permanent. Nothing online is ever private, even after you delete it!

That said, you should always respect other people’s requests to take down things you’ve posted about them. Even though online posts and photos can never truly be erased, you can help stop the spread and lessen the damage by taking the post down quickly.

If you are questioned or arrested by the police in relation to cyber bullying, you should give your correct name, age and address, but you have the right to remain silent for any other questions. Try to stay calm, and politely ask to get legal advice before you give them any other information.

Being safe from bullies online

• Do not share your private information like passwords, name and address, phone numbers with people you don’t know. This can also include sharing of photos of yourself, your friends and your family
• Don’t respond to messages when you are angry or hurt - either to strangers and also to people you know. This will often encourage them to continue or increase their harassment of you
• Log out and stop messaging if you feel you are being harassed
• Remember you have the option to block, delete and report anyone who is harassing you online and on your mobile
• Find out how to report bullying and harassment on each of the different social networks that you use
• Keep a record of calls, messages, posts and emails that may be hurtful or harmful to you
• Remember to set up the privacy options on your social networking sites like Facebook in a way you are comfortable with

Why is cyberbullying a growing concern?

We are all using the internet, mobile phones and other technologies more than ever. While these technologies bring many benefits to our lives, such as connecting with friends, entertainment, research and accessing support services, their growing use means that cyberbullying poses increased risks and dangers, particularly for young people. In Australia cyberbullying affects at least one in ten students
In June 2010 young people aged 14 -17 years old had the highest rate of internet use in Australia with 91% spending time online every week.

Level of internet use	14-17 year olds	Total population 14 years and older
Heavy users (>15 hrs per week)	36%	28%
Medium users (>7- 15 hrs per week)	37%	27%
Light users (<7 hrs per week)	18%	23%
No use in an average week	9 %	22%

Cyber bullying on the increase, says uni study

Cyber bullying on the increase, says uni study

NEARLY 20 per cent of youngsters in Britain have been bullied over the internet according a university study.
Academics at Anglia Ruskin, in Chelmsford, researched the scale of so-called cyber bullying through websites such as Facebook and Twitter among people aged between ten and 19-years-old and the effect it has on them.
This type of bullying takes place by messages and photos from computers, or text messages being used to harass or embarrass people.
The results of the study showed 18.4 per cent of those interviewed had been the victim of some form of bullying over the internet, with 69 per cent being female.

The effects have included losing confidence, staying away from school or even avoiding social interaction outside school.
Steven Walker, principle lecturer in child and adolescent mental health at the university, led the research and said the results show the internet is becoming a vocal place for bullying.
He said: “While most online interactions are neutral or positive, the internet provides a new means through which children and young people are bullied.
“Some people who cyber-bully think they won’t get caught if they do it on a mobile phone, or on the internet, and the people who cyber-bully are usually jealous, angry or want to have revenge on someone, often for no reason at all.”

He also said the people interviewed during the study said there could be tragic consequences to those who are the victims.
Mr Walker said: “Many suggested this form of bullying, like other forms, can ‘push people over the edge’ and lead to suicide attempts and also successful suicides.
“Many of the respondents in our study thought cyber bullies do not actually think they are bullying. In the main, they thought cyber bullying was seen by bullies as merely a form of harmless fun, a joke and therefore not an issue.”

How Are Teens Cyberbullied?

How Are Teens Cyberbullied?

There are increasing number of teens have been encountered cyber bullying all over the world now. Being a victim of cyberbullying can be a common and painful experience. Some youth who cyberbully

• Pretend they are other people online to trick others
• Spread lies and rumors about victims
• Trick people into revealing personal information
• Send or forward mean text text messages
• Post pictures of victims without their consent

When teens were asked why they think others cyberbully, 81percent said that cyberbullies think it is funny. Other teens believe that youth who cyberbully

• Do not think it is a big deal
• Do not think about the consequences
• Are encouraged by friends
• Think everybody cyberbullies
• Think they won't get caught

Advantages and Disadvantages of Cyber Bullying

Advantages and Disadvantages of Cyber Bullying

 

source from:http://kuro-kuro.org/archives/6271

 

Computers are clearly involved in cyberbullying and that is what makes it so much different from traditional bullying. The advantage to having computers in cyberbullying is that the victims can have proof of the harassment that has taken place. Every conversation that is had can be traced back through the IP address so the laws can be enforced. This also makes it easier for schools to enforce their code of conduct. Because it is now a law for schools to monitor bullying on the school grounds, they must trace all conversations that could be considered harassment and all websites visited. (Hinduja and Patchin, 2011) If there were no computers involved, then it becomes the victim’s word against the bullies. The winners in this instance would be the ones trying to pass laws to stop cyberbullying. They now have the ability to see how much this act actually occurs and they have the proof they need to do something about it.

SOS
The disadvantages of computers are that they allow people to become victims of cyberbullying. There are now many more ways that teenagers can be harassed and bullied when they have access to the internet. This type of bullying is even worse because it invades the victims’ life in a place they are comfortable in and think they are safe. Because they are being harassed in their personal area, cyberbullying leads to more depression decreased self esteem, loneliness and suicide which are all big disadvantages. Victims of cyberbullying are 1.9 times more likely to attempt suicide than other teenagers their age. Also, the bullies are 1.5 times more likely to attempt suicide. This act has a negative impact on everyone involved even if they aren’t the victim. (Hinduja and Patchin, 2010b)