Can You Stop Online Bullies?
October 8th, 2013 by flanewsA new Florida law aimed at protecting students — has lawmakers questioning ways to make it more effective. Students say more needs to be done to prevent online bullying.
Florida students are bullied daily.
“If you’re getting bullied, you should say something to somebody,” said Andy Coq, a high school senior.
Students say bullying at school is all too common…but alerting school administrators is not as popular.
“You want to do something about it, but then you don’t want to interfere because it may come on you, too,” said a high school junior.
This past legislative session – state lawmakers passed a law prohibiting online bullying. It bans any type of online bullying that interferes with a students learning environment.
“At the end of the day it’s a tool in the toolbox to help deal with what we know is an alarming issue,” said Senator Dwight Bullard, Cutler Bay.
In a meeting Tuesday morning – the same lawmakers who helped pass the bill– questioned how effective it’s been.
“What do we have in the law today that will enable or empower our schools?” asked Senator Maria Sachs, Delray Beach.
A major concern lawmakers want answers to is what legal authorities does a district have in gaining access to a cell phone or computer to access a students social networking sites. School Districts across the state have been required to implement their own rules against online bullying. But, school officials say the main thing is to keep students safe.
“To do this it takes a combined effort of everyone,” said Senator Bill Montford, Tallahassee. “That’s the teachers in the schools and the students and parents as well.”
The law passed this year is an extension of the Jeffrey Johnson Act which required all districts to adopt a policy banning bullying and harassment.
Its estimated 28-percent of students are bullied at school.
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