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Is cyberbullying a crime?

“Yes, there can be legal consequences,” says attorney and founder of Carter Law Firm, Ruth Carter. “Depending on the rules of your state and the circumstances involved, discipline can include expulsion from school, criminal charges for harassment and/or civil lawsuits for defamation and other harms.”

"The last thing anyone wants is a suicide or school shooting because of cyberbullying."

DeGarmo adds that due to the prevalence of the issue, most schools have created specific policies for cyberbullying. “Ten years ago, no one gave much thought to this issue,” he says. “But now, schools are paying more attention. The last thing anyone wants is a suicide or school shooting because of cyberbullying.”

The consequences for cyberbullies depend on the specific circumstance. Many cyberbullying cases wind up getting prosecuted as harassment. Some cases result in civil court, while others might warrant criminal charges and prosecution for hate crimes, impersonation, harassment, cyberbullying and violations under the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act (CFAA).

In addition to the larger laws, individual states have their own rules for cyberbullying. Stopbullying.gov offers a state-by-state map to highlight the specific policies.

But where do we draw the line between what cyberbullying is and what it isn’t? What are some of the specific crimes cyberbullying can fall under? See this quick list below for reference.

 

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Just thought I can bring some awareness to posters on GNI in light of the recent harassment of Bibi on this site. Princess Di take note.

Definition:  the act of harassing someone online by sending or posting mean messages, usually anonymously. ... to bully online by sending or posting mean, hurtful, or intimidating messages, usually anonymously:

 

alena06
Last edited by alena06

Canadian perspective from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police - RCMP

Source -- http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/cycp...l-inti/index-eng.htm

An upset teen girl looks at her phone. A group of girls are standing behind her, looking at her and laughing.

Bullying

Bullying happens when there is an imbalance of power; where someone purposely and repeatedly says or does hurtful things to someone else. Bullying can occur one on one or in a group(s) of people. There are many different forms of bullying:

  • Physical bullying (using your body or objects to cause harm): includes hitting, punching, kicking, spitting or breaking someone else's belongings.
  • Verbal bullying (using words to hurt someone): includes name calling, put-downs, threats and teasing.
  • Social bullying (using your friends and relationships to hurt someone): includes spreading rumours, gossiping, excluding others from a group or making others look foolish or unintelligent. This form of bullying is most common among girls.

Cyberbullying

Cyberbullying involves the use of communication technologies such as the Internet, social networking sites, websites, email, text messaging and instant messaging to repeatedly intimidate or harass others.

Cyberbullying includes:

  • Sending mean or threatening emails or text/instant messages.
  • Posting embarrassing photos of someone online.
  • Creating a website to make fun of others.
  • Pretending to be someone by using their name.
  • Tricking someone into revealing personal or embarrassing information and sending it to others.

Cyberbullying affects victims in different ways than traditional bullying. It can follow a victim everywhere 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, from school, to the mall and all the way into the comfort of their home - usually safe from traditional forms of bullying.

Impacts

Over time, youth who are bullied or bully others find their own ways of dealing with it. While some victims/bullies may become depressed and begin to withdraw socially, others react aggressively and turn to violence.

Dangers for Children and Adolescents Who Are Bullied:

  • Depression
  • Social anxiety, loneliness, isolation
  • Stress related health problems (e.g., headaches, stomach aches)
  • Low self esteem
  • School absenteeism and academic problems
  • Aggressive behaviours
  • Contemplating, attempting, or committing suicide

Dangers for Children and Adolescents Who Bully Others:

  • Not knowing the difference between right and wrong
  • Delinquency and substance use
  • Academic problems and increased school dropout rate
  • Aggression
  • Sexual harassment and dating aggression
  • Gang involvement and criminal adulthood
  • Difficulties in their relationships with others
  • Being bullied at the hands of others

 (PREVNet)

Bullying and the Law

Bullying can be a traumatic experience, and some forms of bullying can even be considered illegal. These include:

Criminal Harassment

Repeated tormenting online, with texts, phone calls, and/or emails causing the other person to fear for their safety

Child pornography

Sharing intimate photos and videos of minors (under the age of 18)

Uttering Threats and Extortion

Threatening to share someone's personal information to others if they don't do what you want them to do

Assault

Threats or acts of non-consensual force, violence, bodily harm, or destruction of personal property

Identity Theft/Fraud

Creating a fake online profile to ruin someone's reputation

Defamatory Libel

Spreading rumors about someone

For all of these criminal offences, it is important to notify your local police detachment or report it to CYBERTIP.CA. Based on the available information, police will decide if an investigation is warranted and whether charges may be laid.

What You Can Do

Youth

If you are a victim of bullying

If you know someone who is being bullied...

  • If you feel it's safe to do so, tell the bully to stop.
  • Find friends/students/youth or an adult who can help stop it.
  • Befriend the person being bullied and lead them away from the situation.
  • Report it to a teacher or school staff.
  • Fill out an anonymous letter and drop it off to a teacher or any adult you trust.

Adults

If you know or think that a child is a victim of bullying...

  • Talk to them - Let them know that they can trust you and that they shouldn't deal with bullying alone.
  • Help them:
    • document the bullying;
    • report unwanted text messages to their telephone service provider, or cyberbullying to social media sites or apps;
    • report the bullying to school administrators; and
    • report criminal offences, such as threats, assaults, harassment and sexual exploitation to the local police detachment.
 
Date Modified: 2017-09-21
FM
Last edited by Former Member

Sometimes I feel like thanking my parents again and again for my old fashion bringing up that I passed on to my children today. While cyberbullying didn't play a role in my up bringing, it prepares me to apply today and yesterday's standard of teaching that impacted thier lives in positive ways, far better than when I was growing up and dealing with school and other students. RIP Mon n Dad.

FM
alena06 posted:

Just thought I can bring some awareness to posters on GNI in light of the recent harassment of Bibi on this site. Princess Di take note.

Definition:  the act of harassing someone online by sending or posting mean messages, usually anonymously. ... to bully online by sending or posting mean, hurtful, or intimidating messages, usually anonymously:

 

GNI has become the poster site for cyber bullying - Especially Against its Women subscribers.   Should a lawsuit be filed against "Princess Di" or anyone else, the Admins should be held equally culpable as enablers and tolerators of Cyberbullying and Public Harassment.

Bibi Haniffa
Last edited by Bibi Haniffa

Hahaha, lordy lordy madame secretary you got we cracking up out here.  The predator becomes the pray, the abuser becomes the abused, the bully becomes the bullied and she crying crocodile tears running home to daddy.  Madame secretary, I am reading this site for two years since you abused my good friends and charitable sisters in arms, the "Maharanis from Lusignan pasture", remember?  All well documented and filed.  I don't know much of this site prior to late 2015, but you are one of the worse abusers and bullies and sickos and now you play victim?  You are a true bully, you denigrate people on and off this site, even a little innocent baby, remember?  Now you play the "woman card" when you bad talk Hillary for using it and supported Trump that sexual harasser.  You are shameless, arrogant and an ignar.  You like to tell people, can't take the heat, run from the kitchen.  Now run along and make fresh coffee before the office people get upset.  They don't have you there for your looks.

FM
Princess Di posted:

Hahaha, lordy lordy madame secretary you got we cracking up out here.  The predator becomes the pray, the abuser becomes the abused, the bully becomes the bullied and she crying crocodile tears running home to daddy.  Madame secretary, I am reading this site for two years since you abused my good friends and charitable sisters in arms, the "Maharanis from Lusignan pasture", remember?  All well documented and filed.  I don't know much of this site prior to late 2015, but you are one of the worse abusers and bullies and sickos and now you play victim?  You are a true bully, you denigrate people on and off this site, even a little innocent baby, remember?  Now you play the "woman card" when you bad talk Hillary for using it and supported Trump that sexual harasser.  You are shameless, arrogant and an ignar.  You like to tell people, can't take the heat, run from the kitchen.  Now run along and make fresh coffee before the office people get upset.  They don't have you there for your looks.

Took you days to come back like you got the lawyer lined up already.  

Like all of you 'shyting' in your pants now that you know the consequences of cyber bullying.

alena06
Last edited by alena06

This thread started with cyberbullying and ends up as a catwalk for pretty women. It didn't take long to change the focal point of the thread. Cyberbullying is dead after five responses. 

FM
Princess Di posted:

Hahaha, lordy lordy madame secretary you got we cracking up out here.  The predator becomes the pray, the abuser becomes the abused, the bully becomes the bullied and she crying crocodile tears running home to daddy.  Madame secretary, I am reading this site for two years since you abused my good friends and charitable sisters in arms, the "Maharanis from Lusignan pasture", remember?  All well documented and filed.  I don't know much of this site prior to late 2015, but you are one of the worse abusers and bullies and sickos and now you play victim?  You are a true bully, you denigrate people on and off this site, even a little innocent baby, remember?  Now you play the "woman card" when you bad talk Hillary for using it and supported Trump that sexual harasser.  You are shameless, arrogant and an ignar.  You like to tell people, can't take the heat, run from the kitchen.  Now run along and make fresh coffee before the office people get upset.  They don't have you there for your looks.

Princess Di, you prappa wutlis. 

Mitwah

Could Princess Di be referring to a psychopath on GNI? The characteristics that she described to the person in question are signs of psychopathic behaviour. I have dealt with one in real life. 

FM
Princess Di posted:

Hahaha, lordy lordy madame secretary you got we cracking up out here.  The predator becomes the pray, the abuser becomes the abused, the bully becomes the bullied and she crying crocodile tears running home to daddy.  Madame secretary, I am reading this site for two years since you abused my good friends and charitable sisters in arms, the "Maharanis from Lusignan pasture", remember?  All well documented and filed.  I don't know much of this site prior to late 2015, but you are one of the worse abusers and bullies and sickos and now you play victim?  You are a true bully, you denigrate people on and off this site, even a little innocent baby, remember?  Now you play the "woman card" when you bad talk Hillary for using it and supported Trump that sexual harasser.  You are shameless, arrogant and an ignar.  You like to tell people, can't take the heat, run from the kitchen.  Now run along and make fresh coffee before the office people get upset.  They don't have you there for your looks.

Jagdeo looking for you in Toronto, question. are you a man???

K
Prince posted:

KP, what difference does it make if she's a man or woman? Are you the forum gynaecologist to examine her?

Can you answer my question.  Her/his lingo does not sound feminine 

K
kp posted:
Prince posted:

KP, what difference does it make if she's a man or woman? Are you the forum gynaecologist to examine her?

Can you answer my question.  Her/his lingo does not sound feminine 

Unfortunately, I can't answer your question factually. I am no lingo/language expert. 

FM
Prince posted:
kp posted:
Prince posted:

KP, what difference does it make if she's a man or woman? Are you the forum gynaecologist to examine her?

Can you answer my question.  Her/his lingo does not sound feminine 

Unfortunately, I can't answer your question factually. I am no lingo/language expert. 

They have a resident decipherer ,maybe he/she can help.

Django

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