Cyber Bullying
The Laws and Ronan Hughes
10 Facts About Cyber Bullying and the Law
- Every state has laws on Cyber Bullying.
- 25% of teenagers report that they have experienced cyber bullying.
- Over half off young people report being cyber bullied.
- Boys are more likely to be threatened by cyber bullies than girls.
- More than 80 percent of teens regularly use cell phones, making them the most popular form of technology and therefore a common medium for cyber bullying.
- 95 percent of teens who witnessed bullying on social media report that others, like them, have ignored the behavior.
- Only one out of every six parents of adolescents and teens are even aware of the scope and intensity involved with cyber bullying.
- Girls are at least as likely as boys to either be cyber bullies or to be targeted as cyber bullying victims.
- Victims of cyber bullying are more likely to suffer from low self-esteem and to consider suicide as a result.
- 68% of teens agree that cyber bullying is a serious problem.
- Only 1 in 10 victims will inform a parent or trusted adult of their abuse.
Ronan Hughes
- Gerard and Teresa Hughes said the gang demanded more than £3,000 from their son, Ronan, and then sent images of him to his friends on social media.
- Ronan took his own life on June 5, 2015
- The gang that blackmailed was the Nigerian Blackmail Gang.
- He had 48 hours to pay the gang £3,300 or they would spread the pictures he had received from a girl to all of his friends.
- He committed suicide three hours after the gang sent the email.
- They searched for the gang and never found them and the website that hacked Ronan was taken down three days after his death.
- He was only 17.
Three Things Someone Can Do To Prevent Cyber Bullying
- Block the bully on social media.
- Stay off social media.
- Don't acknowledge the bully.
- Don't talk to someone you don't know
- Keep your social media sites private so know one can see anything.
Three Helpful Websites
- www.stopbullying.gov/laws/
- www.bullyingstatistics.org/content/cyber-bullying-statistics.html
- nobullying.com/cyber-bullying-statistics-2014/
Consequences of Cyberbullying
- The school would expel you, and from any sports activities.
- They could give you a civil lawsuit.
- Also can get charged of harassment.
- The Cyber bully could get up too two years in prison for harassment.
How to Report Cyber Bullies
- Don't respond to the bully.
- Keep evidence of cyber bullying. Record the dates, times, and descriptions of instances when cyber bullying has occurred. Save and print screenshots, emails, and text messages.
- Block the person who is cyber bullying.