Cyberbullying Should Not Be Considered Punishable By Federal Laws

Unlike face-to-face bullying, cyberbullying takes place online, from the surface of a phone, tablet, or computer. In 2009, Congresswoman Linda Sanchez sponsored the Megan Meier Cyberbullying Prevention Act, which would make cyberbullying a federal crime. Cyberbullying should not be considered punishable by federal law because of the other possible ways that cyberbullying can be prevented. Through education, selective participation, and unabling the use of being anonymous cyberbullying can be prevented, without the need of federal involvement. A fact sheet titled ¨What is Cyberbullying?”states that one of the large contributors to the hurtful impact of cyberbullying, is the use of anonymity. Because of this “an aggressor and target may never know each other or interact face to face” causing the target to wonder what about him or her, is so bad that strangers felt the

In this generation, to be on social media is expected among teenagers. Despite a teenage girl not wanting to create an Instagram account, she is considered “uncool” if she does not have one. Perhaps a simple solution to the growing danger of cyber bullying is the encourage selective participation, and create a tolerance for children who do not wish to be apart of the online world, instead of immediately attempting to change their minds. Through the use of selective participation, the amount of people online will dramatically decrease. In a survey taken in 2006 “nearly one in three teens admitted to being the victim of cyberbullying” yet the child can choose to remove themself from the situation (“The Dangers of Cyberbullying” 1). Many apps today are trying to limit cyberbullying through the use of allowing the bully to be blocked or reported. By blocking the bully, the victim is choosing to not see anything that person may say or do while