Name

Shawn McCauley

English 191 -30170

3-16-09

Cyberbullying Spawns New Laws and Controversy

Thesis: States seeking to adopt tougher cyberbullying laws in the wake of teen suicides may find

an ally in their school systems.

Corbett, Patrick E. “Cyberbullying and Other High-Tech Crimes Involving Teens.” Journal of

Internet Law 12.3 (2008): 9-17. GALILEO. North Metro Technical College Library,

Acworth, GA. 12 Mar 2009 < http://proxygsu-nmt1.galileo.usg.edu/login?url=http://

search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=lgh&AN=34130961&site=ehost-live>.

This article, which was published in the September 2008 Journal of Internet Law,

discusses cyberbullying and other cybercrimes. It focuses on the potential illegal misuse

of the internet and other digital media such as cameras and cell phones. It defines

“stalking” and “cyberbullying” as the terms are used in regard to internet law. Examples

of digital voyeurism, stalking, and cyberbullying are presented as hypothetical situations,

along with their possible legal consequences. This article exposes numerous technical

scenarios to the scrutiny of the law as it exists in many states today with sobering results.

This source would be very useful in a research paper because the many examples that it

provides clearly illustrate the ways in which the virtual world of the internet can be used

to cause others very real harm.

O’Neil, Robert M. “It’s Not Easy to Stand Up to Cyberbullies, but We Must.” Chronicle of

Higher Education 54.44 (2008): A23. GALILEO. North Metro Technical College
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Library, Acworth, GA. 12 Mar 2009 <http://web.ebscohost.com.proxygsu-

nmt1.galileo.usg.edu/ ehost/detail?vid=7&hid=14&sid=f3a9a2d5-69b2-4dfc-bbc2-

94ac4aebe9f3%40sessionmgr7&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZQ%3d%3d#db=a9h

&AN=33225710>.

This article in the Chronicle of Higher Education discusses recent news events involving

internet use and cyberbullying. One incident that is specifically mentioned is the “Cedar

Fest” riot near Michigan State in 2008, which is thought by police to have been triggered

by posts to the Juicy Campus website. O’Neil explains that United States law makes it

difficult to prosecute individuals who post humiliating or threatening comments against

others because of the relative anonymity that the internet provides. This article is useful

because it moves beyond the realm of minors to address adult students. It shows that

posts on the internet affect people of all ages and can impact a person’s reputation and job

possibilities for years to come. I would use this source to combat the preconception that

cyberbullying only occurs in middle or high schools, and to show instead that students of

all educational levels can be affected by it.

Surdin, Ashley. “In Several States, a Push to Stem Cyber-Bullying.” The Washington Post

1 January 2009: A03. 12 Mar 2009 < http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/

content/article/2008/12/31/AR2008123103067.html>.

This article in a 2008 edition of The Washington Post follows the trail from high-profile

cyberbullying suicides to new anti-bullying laws being adopted in many states.

Legislators are requesting that schools implement programs to educate students about

acceptable internet use and to discipline those who transgress. The correlation between

bullying, absenteeism, and poor academic performance is explored and is used as an

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argument supporting school involvement. This article is a valuable source because it

investigates whether schools have the right to discipline students for their actions outside

of school. The article also brings up an important counterargument that I would have to

address, which is that some critics believe that school sanctions are unnecessary and are a

violation of an individual’s right to free speech as guaranteed by the First Amendment.

“What is Cyberbullying Exactly?” Stop Cyberbullying. Wired Kids, Inc. 12 Mar 2009

<http://www.stopcyberbullying.org/what_is_cyberbullying_exactly.html>.

This page of the Stop Cyberbullying website gives the definition of the term

“cyberbullying.” It notes that the participants must be minors, and that the bully and the

victim often change roles during communication. This site discusses the possible legal

implications of cyberbullying and warns that criminal charges can be filed if password or

identity theft is involved. Additionally, the website advocates the use of anti-bullying

policies in schools that can be used to discipline offenders. This source supports my

main argument that schools need to get involved in policing and preventing cyberbullying

among their students. It also states a counterargument that I would have to deal with,

which is that the term cyberbullying only applies to minors.