Cyber Bullying

2008-2009 i-SAFE survey of 150,000 high school students

• 57% said hurtful or angry things to another person, had someone say hurtful or angry things to them, and/or were bullied

• 59% reported that people on the Internet said mean or hurtful things about them or someone else they knew

• 52% were bullied

Cyber Bullying

• The use of information and communication involving electronic technologies to facilitate deliberate and repeated harassment or threat to an individual or group.

• Being cruel to others by sending or posting harmful material using technology means:

• Power • Control • Human Relationships

What is Cyber Bullying?

Cyber Bullying

• The Constitution protects Internet speech that is critical, annoying, offensive, or demeaning as long as it does not include a direct threat or incite violence.

What is Cyber Bullying?

Cyber Bullying

Ohio Anti-Bullying Bill 276

• “Repetitive and hostile behavior with the intent to harm others through the use of information and communication technologies and other Web-based online sites (also known as “cyberbullying”)

Cyber Bullying

Indiana Legislation

• There are no state cyber bullying laws currently enacted. There are some proposed policies on record.

• Current legislation• IC 35-45-2-2 Harassment; "obscene

message" defined

• IC 35-45-2-1 Intimidation - A person who communicates a threat to another person.