Janell Glemser

Prof. Laura Baj

English 102
February 20, 2013
Punishment for Cyberbullying
Andrew Keen, author of, Douse the Online Flamers, believes, too many anonymous
internet users are posting hateful content about their neighbors, classmates, and coworkers (68).
Keen concludes that the, U.S. Supreme Court soon might need to rethink the civic value of
anonymous speech in the digital age (70), and that, it is the responsibility of all of us -parents, citizens and lawmakers -- to ensure that contemporary Web users don't behave like
antisocial canines. And one way to achieve this is by introducing more legislation to punish
anonymous sadists whose online lies are intended to wreck the reputations and mental health of
innocent Americans (70). However, I disagree with Keen in his belief that it is the responsibility
of lawmakers to ensure Web users act appropriately. I believe appropriate behavior, morals,
respect, and ethics for using the internet should be a priority of us, the parents.
Traditional bullying is defined as, a person who intentionally harasses, intimidates,
embarrasses, or threatens someone perceived to be vulnerable. Similar to traditional bullying,
cyber bullying takes place when an individual uses IT (computers, or other electronic devices,
such as cell phones), to purposely harass, intimidate, embarrass, or threaten someone they
perceive to be vulnerable. For example, traditional bullying would consist of a group of
classmates targeting an individual during recess by calling her ugly, fat, stupid, etc.; whereas, the
more modern approach of bullying, better known as cyber bullying, the perpetrator would use
means of technology, such as the internet, (facebook, chatrooms, etc.), or cell phones, (text

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messaging), to bully their victim. Cyber bullying is a technological extension of traditional
face-to-face physical bullying. Cyber bullying is the evolution of traditional bullying. There was
never any legal action involved in traditional bullying, so cyber bullying should not have legal
consequences. Granted, if laws are broken that are already in place the perpetrator should be
prosecuted, accordingly.
We, as parents, should focus on teaching our children morals that include, not to bully
other children, but rather to respect their peers; as well as, not allowing other children to bully
them. If children are not overseen when accessing digital technology there could be
consequences, such as cyber bullying. Children should always be monitored when surfing the
web. The internet is a dangerous environment to leave a child unattended. Understandably, most
parents did not have access to the IT devices that the children today have, so we are not as
knowledgeable as our youth. However, there are many free courses available at local colleges, or
libraries that offer the basics of computers and social networking. There are also programs that
can be installed on a childs computer without them knowing, so we can view everything they
are doing, and even control what they can and cannot do on their computer. Unfortunately, this
method is not always successful either. In 2003, Ryan Halligan, a 13-year-old boy, committed
suicide after being repeatedly bullied online. Although Ryans dad had a particular software
application installed on his sons computer to monitor him, monitoring him proved ineffective
because it was not until after his sons suicide that he reviewed what Ryan was subject to. A
parent can never protect their child from harm 100%, but taking certain precautions could
increase the effectiveness of protecting our children.
We must not let our children be completely overtaken by this digital world. We have to
interact with our children and make them understand how society works, so that they are not

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only familiar with how societys adolescence works. Undeniably, kids can be hardheaded, but
they are listening to what we tell them as their parents, believe it, or not. Explain to them that
when someone targets them it is because they find them vulnerable, and if they show the slightest
reaction, they will remain the target. Most of the time when bullies seek to defame and harass
someone it is to cover up their own shortcomings and make themselves appear superior to others.
However, as adulthood approaches, the bully will no longer be able to cover up their
shortcomings because kids are not as nave as they were in earlier years. Instead of letting others
influence their thoughts they obtain their own opinions and views. On the other hand, if our child
is the bully we must take the time out to find out the real problem with our child. We know we
did not raise such a harmful member of society, so what event in our childs life is making them
act out in such a negative way. We must always be supportive and understanding of our children.
Keep in mind the adults our children become reflects our parenting. Parents should feel
accountable if their child harasses someone to a point that their victim commits suicide. In this
situation, we should look back at our parenting, and ask ourselves what we did wrong. Rather
than question why lawmakers did not intervene before tragedy struck.
As unrealistic as it may be, my solution to bullying, whether traditional, or cyber, is to
put the bully in a boxing ring with his or her victim, and the outcome may be surprising to us all.
Besides, who is to say the victim would not gain a victory if given the chance to challenge their
perpetrator one-on-one in a boxing ring. At the end of the day, put two bullies at a time in the
rink. At least one of them loses. Ultimately, this approach is not likely to happen, but I do feel it
would settle a lot of the ongoing bullying. For one, the victim will learn there is nothing to fear
of another human being. By allowing themselves to be bullied the only person they have to fear
is themselves. In the end, they are the ones causing their self and their families the most pain.

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Keens approach to dealing with the issue of cyber bullying would mean the first
amendment of the constitution, freedom of speech, would need to be voided in these cyberbullying cases. The resolution to this problem depends on us, as parents, to maintain a
relationship with our children, and provide adequate supervision, all of the time, not just while
they are online, being supportive, and demonstrating positive role model behavior. Although, any
long term harassing of an individual is against the law, as it should be, voicing ones opinion
once or twice is not against the law.