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Cyberbullying: A Federal Crime

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Imagine you are a parent of a child who commits suicide because they are bullied or dumped by their boyfriend / girlfriend, or they were gay. How would you feel? This is what is happening to teenagers in our generation. Megan Meier of Missouri hanged herself at age of thirteen because she was publicly dumped by her boyfriend. Also, Ryan Halligan took his life at the age of thirteen in New Jersey after rumors spread online that he was gay and Alexis Pilkington of New York got a harassing post on Facebook; even after her suicide, the issue is continued as an example of cyberbullying on a memorial website set up by friends called Giveeverythingbutup.com. According to Jemica Carter and Feleta Wilson in the article “Cyberbullying: A 21st …show more content…

According to Google cyberbullying is defined as the “use of electronic communication to bully a person, typically by sending messages of an intimidating or threatening nature”. Cyberbullying is a form of assault in which teens damge their peers. Cyberbullying can be both mentally and emotionally destructive. Should cyberbullying be a federal crime? Some believe that cyberbullying is a disease and has led to teen suicide; while others argue that is should not be a federal crime, and that it is unconstitutional. Furthermore cyberbullying is actually declining. Because cyberbullying is highly controversial, students, parents, and teachers should carefully consider multiple viewpoints before making any …show more content…

Cyberbullying has been overlooked since there is no physical contact, but in reality it is a big deal and las driven some into depression, anxiety, and suicide. “Suicide is the second-leading cause of death among 13 to 19-year-olds, after unintended injury and before homicides, and the teen suicide rate has risen recently.” ( Mantel 1 ). Unfortunately, teen’s suicide rates have increased tremendously in the past few years. Opponents argue that cyberbullying should not be a federal crime. Also, cyberbullying is not seen as a disease, and there is no cause for public panic. Cases like Megan Meier have contributed to what appears as a panic and have been a source of negativity in the news headlines. It also would be unconstitutional. High profile cases such as Maegan Meier draw Media attention and even lead to proposed legislation in Congress. Megan Meier Cyber Bullying Preventions Act was introduced in Congress in 2009 as the result of the cyberbullying of Megan Meier which ended in her suicide, which would set a prison term of two years for anyone using electronic means to bully, but it was not enacted ( Waggoner

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