Cyberbullying And Freedom Of Speech
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Cyberbullying And Freedom Of Speech

There is no law at the federal level against cyberbullying. However, a bill was introduced in the House of Representative to make cyberbullying a crime which could allow the courts to fine a person or even incarcerate up to 2 years if found guilty. However, there were questions about this bill. Many civil rights activists felt that it infringed on people's rights given by the First Amendment, or freedom of speech.



Hence, there is a controversy raging about cyberbullying and freedom of speech. According to activists, the wording of the bill is ambiguous, and this could result in violating the freedom of speech that people currently enjoy in the US. According to the activists not only will the bill infringe the freedom of speech, it will also add additional burden on the federal government where resources are concerned. Many opined that cyberbulling is part of normal bullying and hence, it should be tackled by the state governments and local authorities.

This said, there are many states in the US that already have enacted laws to tackle cyberbullying. Maryland, Arkansas, Florida and Kentucky have laws against cyberbulling that allow the perpetrator to be charged for certain crimes. However, these laws are also questioned by civil rights activists.

Many of the state laws allow school to take action against cyberbullies. However, the association between cyberbullying and freedom of speech is a lot more complex. According to ACLU, schools cannot take disciplinary actions against students unless the cyberbullying disrupts the school's environment. And, then there are states that have laws that protect the freedom of speech of students very strictly. Also, the US Supreme Court has mentioned students do not lose this freedom on entering the premises of the school. Hence, this issue is a lot more complex.

When cyberbullying turns into a threat for the victim, it cannot be protected under the realms of freedom of speech. At the same time, there are loopholes in the Constitution that allow some cyberbullies to get away as the punishment meted out is disproportionate to the act.

Freedom of speech gives a person a right to air his or her views and thoughts. However, with this freedom comes a certain amount of responsibility, and a person should ensure that the freedom is used correctly. Hence, children as well as adults should be taught to use their freedom of speech in the right manner without causing pain to any other person under the guise of this freedom.

More Articles :

Cyberbullying And Freedom Of Speech

1. Discovery News: Is Cyberbullying Illegal?
http://news.discovery.com/tech/is-cyber-bullying-illegal.html

2. Glendora Patch: Cyber Bullying vs. Freedom Of Speech
http://glendora.patch.com/articles/cyber-bullying-vs-freedom-of-speech
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