It’s no secret we were raised in a different world than our kids. Children are often introduced to technology before using full sentences. By time they reach kindergarten, some children are more skilled on their iPad’s and Surface’s than their grandparents. What starts off as an innocent entertainment device, may be a vehicle for bullies to harass or humiliate other students in the middle school and high school years.
In Nevada, Cyberbullying is Defined as Bullying Committed through the use of Electronic Communication.
Examples of cyberbullying include:
- Creating a hostile environment which interferes with the victim’s education
- Exposing humiliating acts of the victim online
- Poses a threat of immediate harm to the victim or to the property of another person through email, text message, social media, etc.
- Hacking social media sites and posting embarrassing video, photo or text
Is your child the victim of cyberbullying?
Help for Victims
Bullying, through electronic means or not, can have long-term emotional effects on victims. If your child is a victim of bullying, seek help. File a complaint at the student’s school. Washoe County schools create a safety plan for each student directly involved and will contact the parents with an update. You can also go to bullyfreezone.nv.gov to report an incident and learn more.
Was your child cyberbullying another?
Depending on the act of cyberbullying, a person can be charged with one of the following crimes:
- Civil right violation
- Criminal harassment
- Terroristic threats
- Domestic Violence
If the offender is under 18 years old, he or she may be charged in juvenile court. If the offender is over 18 years old, the case may be treated as a misdemeanor.
Nevada Family Law Attorney
While Nevada considers Cyberbullying a crime, there is potential conflict with the First Amendment. If harassing behavior is causing the victim to endure emotional stress, retain an attorney experienced in criminal law and First Amendment rights.