Due to the increase of technology, it has become increasingly easy for students to bully each other on social media or by e-mail. This new method of communication allows students to make fun and belittle others anonymously, behind a computer screen. Cyberbullying has become increasingly prominent at local schools but despite the disruptions it may cause, schools should not be allowed to limit online speech. Cyberbullying does not affect the majority of people, it is not the most terrible offense and it happens oftentimes outside of school.
In Document A, less than half of the students surveyed had ever been cyberbullied in their lifetime, and only 14.5% in the last 30 days. This means that the majority of students use the internet for good and benefit from it. By limiting online speech, the schools would be taking away a helpful privilege from the majority of students. In Document B, there was a survey of teachers who have been cyberbullied. Again, the majority,
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In Document C, K.K. created a group discussion after school on MySpace, she used her home computer and only spoke in the chat at home, outside of school hours. Although the discussion was about a fellow student, all activities took place outside of school so even if the school took measures to block websites or limit speech at school, there are no restrictions outside of school and therefore would be ineffective in limiting cyberbullying. In Document G, the assistant secretary for Civil Rights in the U.S. Department of Education says the actions that violate civil rights laws are harassment based on race, color, national origin, sex or a disability. Schools should address harassment incidents about which is knows or reasonably should know, as cyberbullying creates a hostile learning environment. In this case, online speech should not be limited, only harassment that substantially disrupts the school environment, especially when it involves