I'm helping someone who's being cyberbullied but am I doing the right thing?

Answer 1

THE LAW IS CATCHING UP TO CYBER BULLIES!

What is Cyber Bullying: http://www.us-cert.gov/cas/tips/ST06-005.html

The U.S. and Canada's legislature are working towards more laws against Cyber bullying and there are already some laws in several States: http://www.cyberbullyalert.com/blog/2008/10/cyber-bullying-state-laws-and-policies/

Although the above laws may be weak to a point, they are there and, yes, the police will help if a person's life is threatened or any threat of bodily harm to that person or anyone associated with that person! Calling someone ugly or other names is not an offence YET! It comes under the 'Freedom of Speech Act' but that is being rapidly changed. http://news.cnet.com/8301-10784_3-9962375-7.html

You're a great friend and I'm sure you are doing everything you can think of, but there is much more you can do. Don't feel bad as there is a high percentage of Cyber bullying going on and many States and other countries are getting on these bullies' and Provinces in Canada have laws. Cyber bullies who threaten or threaten to do harm to the person are breaking the law in most States, and if they do follow through with their threats then the law will come down hard on them no matter what their age is. Cyber bullying is sending hateful or threatening emails or online messages directed at a particular person via the internet or Mobile Phone. They spread lies, malicious content and can damage a person's reputation through the use of blogs, social networks, forums, etc.

Some of the worst places you can go is MySpace or Facebook. Stay away! Never give out your full name, where you live (even the town) and no personal information such as what high school you go too, etc. MySpace can be a way of meeting friends, but many predators or lurking in the shadows and going after young and vulnerable teens. You have to be 14 years or older to join MySpace. Because of law suits against MySpace (and mounting) MySpace is now in partnership with law enforcement. MySpace now has a rapid response team available to law enforcement and is available 24 hours a day and seven days a week.

Here is a link of a 21 year old woman convicted of Cyber Bullying on MySpace:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28325107/

Law of above woman convicted of Cyber Bullying ... laws are changing rapidly!... http://blog.wired.com/27bstroke6/2008/12/seven-people-ch.html

Facebook: Laws rapidly being changed! http://computersafety.wordpress.com/2008/12/22/cyberbullying-school-library-or-church-legal-liability/

No one is trying to shutdown MySpace or Facebook, but law enforcement and legislation have laws and adding more specific laws against Cyber bullying and both MySpace and Facebook are only too happy to work within these laws. They are forced to make changes and protect those that are being bullied on their websites!

A large percentage of Cyber bullies are doing it right from the computers at school and even harassing teachers (already a case going to court over a student harassing a teacher and trying to ruin her reputation) and the Educational Board is working within the boundaries to stop Cyber bullying.

For the Cyber bullies out there listen up! You are traceable no matter what name or IP# you come under! You are breaking the law! Scoff, laugh, giggle, but you won't be giggling when you are charged and that you will be! 'You do the crime, you pay the time or a hefty fine!' Don't think you'll be laughing after that!

Here are some things you can do for now:

• There are already laws regarding Cyber bullying in the States and some other countries so it's wise to know your legal rights. Save one or two copies of his/her emails and threats as proof when you report it. You can also save it on floppy or disc.
• You can block the bully on your tools on your email, Messenger, etc., If you feel that someone is already bullying you online block them from any Internet services you use, but generally they will flip over to another name or get one of their friends to pick up where they left off. Still, block! Only after you have a couple of copies of the email or IP # or username on the Internet.
• Don't respond to the bully! If you do it just inflames them and they'll do it more. Often they will simply get tired of it and pick on someone else.
• If the bully is threatening to harm you then seek the moderator on any site you are on and also your Service Provider (they are there to help you.) If any bully is using your name or changing context of any messages you leave the service provider or moderator can remove the profile or email.
• Tell your parents! You have done nothing wrong and the Internet is a wonderful tool if used right. Your parents love you and want to protect you. As we speak parents are being educated about Cyber bullying because it has become such a problem and there is also police involvement.
• If the bully threatens bodily harm tell your parents or a good friend and report it to the police immediately! If they do nothing then go to the 'Guardian Angels' below.

Cyberbullying has been noted to cause a low percentage of suicides in especially teens because they don't know who to trust or to turn too and they feel alone and unsafe. There is help!

Here is another good website to go too regarding Cyber bulling. The more YOU know the more you can end these troublemakers. You are not alone! Cyber bullying is taken very seriously and laws are already enforced and more laws are being enforced as well as backing from schools, the police and parent meetings. http://teenadvice.about.com/od/schoolviolence/a/cyberbullying1.htm

The Guardian Angels are also working with police and schools on this and you can contact them at:

Guardian Angels

webmaster@guardianangels.org

If you need more information please contact the above which will take you to my Private Message Board and I will be glad to help you. If you need to know the laws in your State then please just give me the name of your State and no other information is required.

AnswerThere are no laws against 'bullying', although threats have always been illegal. So reporting someone that has made a hateful comment to the police is a waste of time for you and for them. If your threatening people that is of course illegal, but your hateful comments are not illegal. Facebook is considered one of the best social networks, just be sure to only add people you know as friends, and only let friends view your profile. Easy as that. AnswerIt is important that everyone learn about Cyber bullying and then they would know there are some laws enforced and more laws are coming up to protect victims of Cyber bullying. True, calling someone ugly, fat or they don't fit in with a certain group of their peers is not an offence and comes under the 'Freedom of Speech Act.' However, threatening to harm someone physically or anyone close to them is an offence! Facebook and MySpace are very popular websites, but, legislation is forcing such websites to streamline their policy (which few members bother to read) so it is easier to read. More protection for the members of MySpace and Facebook are expected by law! MySpace is open and willing to work with law enforcement and I have no doubt Facebook will ensue. There are also new laws that will be effective soon against lewd behavior such as nude to nearly nude photos by certain members of that website.

U.S. Law Enforcement is working with Canadian Law Enforcement (program already active) to catch pedophiles who scan both MySpace and Facebook.