Cyberbullying

The use of informationand communicationtechnologies to supportdeliberate, repeated, andhostile behavior by an individual or group, which is intended toharm others.

Cyberbullying is using technology to bully others repeatedly. It is using email, cell phones, social networking sites, IMs, text messages, blogs, or other personal technology to hurt people.

The 4Rs of cyberbullying

• Recognize• Refuse• Report• Record

Current status

• Varied court decisions• Two major cases courts consider

Tinker v. Des Moinesdisruption within the learning

environmentBethel School District v. Fraser lewd, vulgar, profane

Layshock v. Hermitage

School District

• Off-campus• Myspace• Created profile of principal• Some students saw on school

computers

What do you think the outcome was?

Snyder vs. Blue MountainSchool District

• Off campus• Myspace• Profile of principal depicting as a

pedophile and sex addict• Site blocked on school computers

What do you think the outcome was?

Kick a Ginger Day

• International• A.E. Wright Middle

School, Calabass, CA (2009)• South Park distortion• Intimidated children with red hair

What do you think the outcome was?

Unofficial KentlakeHigh Home Page• Class assignment• Write own obituary• Created website where

people could vote on whosebogus obituary would be posted next

• Included disclaimer

Outcome?

Proposing policy

• Is the cyberbullying occurring on campus or off campus?

• Does ownership of the electronic device affect who can be held culpable?

• Can school personnel seize electronic devices thought to be used in cases of cyberbullying?

• Does the exchange of information affect the school environment and interfere with learning?

• Is the subject matter of the communication considered lewd or vulgar to the typical person?