New Illinois Cyberbullying Law Forces School Administration Changes

From the Chicago Tribune (Online Edition August 10, 2010)

by:Kristen Mack and Lolly Bowean

A new Illinois law prohibits cyberbullying via text messages, e-mail and Web sites like Facebook and MySpace, leaving educators grappling with how to intervene when incidents happen on line or off-campus.

Last month, the Chicago Board of Education took a systemwide stance on cyberbullying to clear up confusion at the school level. The tougher approach, which equates cyberbullying with aggravated assault and burglary, is part of Chicago Public Schools' new student code of conduct.

Any CPS student who uses a computer, social networking site or cell phone to "stalk, harass, bully or otherwise intimidate" -- on or off school grounds -- will be suspended and possibly face expulsion. School officials also will be required to notify police about the incident.

Jennifer Nielson, of the Greater Chicago chapter of the Anti-Defamation League, said the impact of cyberbullying can be even more intense than traditional bullying because messages can be sent instantly to many people. Online, and often anonymous, comments can intensify the cruelty, she said.

Nielson said the number of students reporting incidents of online harassment increased 50 percent nationally from 2001 to 2006 -- the most recent statistics available. She teaches a course about cyberbullying to educators, parents and students, and recently answered a Tribune reporter's questions:

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