This Is What Famous Personalities Across The Globe Have To Say About Cyberbullying

Bullying has always been an issue of concern for many,. No matter how developed the country might be, it has to deal with certain issues that don't go away that easily – bullying being one among them. School children seem to fall under the most affected category. Though many might consider it to be regular and not a serious issue, well, it actually is! The kind of mental, social and physical health issues that follow as a result of bullying is no less than torture. One of the most commonly observed behavioral and health issues in the victims of bullying is depression. Not just that. What is alarming here is that serious depression opens up doors to suicidal behavior as well.

Out of the different kinds of bullying, cyberbullying is making headlines for all the wrong reasons. Cyberbullying is that kind of bullying that makes use of digital devices such as computers and smartphones. A point about this kind of bullying that is worth noting is the extent of the impact it leaves behind. The impact is prominent for years. Also, nothing can get worse than parents and schools taking a lot of time to notice the signs and take action accordingly.

Well, what continues to bother is an increase in cyberbullying for quite some time now despite the existence of state laws. State laws are formulated to protect individuals against bullying. Therefore, the rise in cyberbullying is what just doesn't sink in. With internet-based communication expected to rise, it is very much possible that the cases of cyberbullying would see an upward trajectory. Can it get any worse?

With cyberbullying being the subject, this is what famous personalities across the globe have to say.

• Philip Lee of the University of the District of Columbia David A. Clarke School of Law believes that cyberbullying is so dangerous that it justifies reduced First Amendment free speech protections. Philip Lee proposes a "foresee-ability approach" to regulate cyberbullying more effectively without giving schools unlimited power to limit students' free speech.
• Benjamin Holden from the University of Illinois College of Media is of the firm belief that the constitutional right to anonymity makes it difficult for minor victims of online bullying to seek legal redress outside the school system. Holden goes a step further by proposing that the internet service providers should reveal the bullies' identities.
• Ari Ezra Waldman (North-eastern University School), boldly states that anti-bullying laws alone are not sufficient to reduce "bullying, cyberbullying, and suicidal thoughts among" LGBTQ teenagers. He added that state laws that ban discrimination and promote LGBTQ inclusion could be a better alternative.
• Ronen Perry of the University of Haifa notes that technological advancements that allow supervisors to collect and analyze digital information in addition to increasing civil liability for education supervisors could prove beneficial in addressing the cyberbullying epidemic in schools thereby reducing teen suicide. He came up with this after analyzing how school administrators are limited in their ability to regulate students' online conduct both on and off-campus by constitutional constraints and federal legislation.

The rising cyberbullying cases are alarming, thus calling for more stringent rules and regulations. It is now time that we understand the sensitivity of this issue and do everything possible to protect the mental, social and physical health of the individuals, children in particular.