Prosecuting Cyberbullies
Con Ad
A Little To Think About...
- Butler writes, "If the only tool you have is prison, then every problem looks like a crime.… A national conversation about the importance of civility and respect would be a more effective tribute to Tyler Clementi than trying to prosecute his bullies for manslaughter. They acted meanly, and possibly even criminally, but not homicidally."
Not Criminals
Instituting legislation against cyberbullying, critics say, would criminalize what is typical schoolyard abuse simply because it happens in cyberspace.
Pressing Charges
Prosecutors press charges only when the case ends in suicide.
Problems, Problems, Problems...
More than 40 states already have antibullying legislation yet the problem still exists.
Despite Prosecution, Cyberbullying Still Happens...
Prosecution is Not Good, Because...
Legislating against online behavior is an infringement of civil right, particularly freedom of speech. Criminalizing online behavior might infringe on people's First Amendment right to have free speech.