JON'S CELL: Identity theft and hacking critical files in databases are what come to mind for most people when they think about internet crimes. But did you know that cyber bullying can also equal their level of serious in the eyes of the law?
Cyber bullying is what happens when an individual uses the internet or mobile technology to intimidate, harass, or harm another person. It can happen to any person who uses the internet at any time no matter how young or old they are. Cyberbullying crimes are relatively new, but they can cause the same amount of damage – and even more – to the victim as physical bullying, which isn’t a new problem. Several U.S. states have begun implementing cyberbullying laws in response to this reality. Unfortunately, some individuals have been wrongfully accused of cyberbullying and have faced severe consequences as a result.
Critical Facts About Cyberbullying
Since a fair amount of cyberbullying laws are still being written, some places see it more as a civil rather than a criminal case. But there are still plenty of cases that define that there is more than what meets the eye. If the law doesn’t exist for cyber bullying yet, it is often is bundled up with the general laws concerning bullying and harassment.
The penalties for cyberbullying can range widely from school intervention, civil penalties, to jail time and even a felony record. This in part largely is affected by the extent of the damage from cyberbullying to the victim. Cyberbullying is particularly traumatizing because the harassment takes place by sharing harmful information and verbal abuse to the victim, his family, and friends, thereby shaming the victim with the public humiliation and tearing apart his self-confidence. In extreme cases, it may lead to the victim committing self-mutilation or even suicide.
Cyberbullying is a serious crime that should not be taken lightly. Additionally, defending against cyberbullying charges can be difficult because the amendments to this newer branch of law are constantly being updated. If you are faced with such charges, seeking the assistance of an attorney who can help you navigate through this situation is imperative to the outcome of your situation. The more you understand the law resulting your case, the more strongly your rights can be defended.
