Cyberbullying Be Criminalized

The internet and social networking sites are increasingly becoming a part of everyday American life. One would be hard pressed to find someone around who has no internet access or a device of his or her own. All this network access can be a very good thing and has many benefits such as electronic communication, online shopping, and online banking, but as with any advantage there are many disadvantages as well. One of the most prominent disadvantages of the internet is cyberbullying, or the use of electronic communication to bully a person, typically by sending messages of an intimidating or threatening nature according to Google. This is becoming one of the worst problems in our everyday life as people of all ages fall victim. Most would agree that cyberbullying is bad, but should it be criminalized. Cyberbullying should be criminalized because of the effects it has on victims ranging from public shame to death. Some of these can be caused by an adult towards a child. In 2006, a 13-year-old girl committed suicide due to cyberbullying because of increasingly violent …show more content…
Bullying can be public to friends, family, and acquaintances therefore can be much more embarrassing. One picture or comment by a single tormentor can easily lead to bullying by many more. There have been an increasing number of high-publicity incidents such as suicides and school shootings (“Cyberbullying”). Some would say criminalization is unconstitutional because it restricts speech rights. But they do not take into account that it is also a form of abuse that leads to depression and suicide (“Should Cyberbullying Be Criminalized”). Kids take things very seriously and literally at times. More children than ever communicate through the internet. In the words of New York state senator Jeffrey D. Klein, "The Constitution is very clear. Free speech ends when you harm someone else. Words can kill." (“Should Cyberbullying Be a