Cyberbullying Prevention Act

Nearly all of us have witnessed some form of cyberbullying before, whether it was incessant trolling, rude remarks, or memes. But even though this “practice” seems harmless to some, should the individuals at fault be prosecuted for the statements they make on social media? I strongly believe that they should be prosecuted for their statements because they could negatively impact the other party’s well-being, and because they would most likely continue to post offensive comments and spread negativity if they went unchecked. Obviously, any form of bullying can lead to bodily harm, so it’s no surprise that cyberbullying is no exception. As psychologist Eden Foster puts it, “Cyberbullying can...lead to kids getting physically injured.”, and while it may seem as though the victims should merely turn off their devices and delete their accounts, it’s not that easy. Many can’t escape the bullying because technology has become such an essential part of our daily lives. The internet is used for schoolwork, jobs, and for relaxation. Social media use has …show more content…
As the author of “The Dangers of Cyberbullying” writes, “Congresswoman Linda Sanchez is sponsoring the Megan Meier Cyber Bullying Prevention Act.” The act would make cyberbullying a federal crime, and would definitely deter others from trying. This would also make sure that people at fault stop the bullying. According to a report conducted by the “Ophelia Project”, 81% percent of teens said that bullies found what they did funny. This shows that most bullies would continue to hurt others if there were no consequences put in place. If the bill was passed, people would once again find a “safe” haven in the internet. Statements on social media should be taken be seriously, no matter how many “I was just joking.” messages follow. If restrictions on social media were stricter, many people’s quality of life would be