A Guide to Resolving a Cyberbullying Case

The Internet has allowed people to interact with each other across borders and time. Social media users are forever increasing. But not all people use that facility for good intention. Some people choose to use it to harass others.

Cyberbullying itself is a new topic. No laws addressed the issue until the mid-2000s. Legislators thought that the step was necessary because many cases of suicide, school shootings, and violence happened as a result of cyberbullying.

If you are the victim, or you want to help a victim, how can you deal with the situation according to the law?

Taking a Firm Stance

The first thing you can do about cyberbullying is to gather the evidence. You must keep a record of all the communication that implies bullying. It can be social media posts, personal or group chats, and even phone calls.

Then, if you are too afraid to deal with the matter by yourself, you can seek assistance or companionship from a relative or friends. Confront your bully by telling him/her that you have all the records and are about to bring them to the authority if he/she does not stop.

Consulting a Lawyer

If the bully does not stop, you have to go to the next level of a legal defense. Consult your case to a criminal defense attorney and see how the local law addresses cyberbullying. In Missouri, for example, cyberbullying is understood as any kinds of harassment through the transmission of any communication means, including electronic devices. It means, cyberbullying can happen to anyone of any age in any place. But in California, bullying itself is restricted to educational facility context. The state’s cyberbullying law is only concerned about any kinds of bullying that happen in school.

Resolving Through Court

Going through a legal proceeding is time-consuming. It is going to be the last option if your offender still repeats his/her behavior and is reluctant to leave you alone. Meanwhile, you can arrange a civil court with your lawyer.

You can seek mediation and officially state how the offender’s treatments toward you negatively impact your personal life. Also, if the situation continues, say to your offender through your lawyer that you will bring the case into public court. By then, your lawyer will explain to your offender about the penalties, which range from civil penalties, suspension, expulsion, and even jail time.

Anyone with a healthy brain will be discouraged to hear such consequences. And if your offender agrees to back away from you, then you would be better to accept it. However, if you are a parent of a cyberbullying victim, and your kid has suffered from the bullying, do not hesitate to seek justice. The higher accusation status of cyberbullying can reach criminal misdemeanors and even felonies.