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Over the past decade or so, the number of teen suicides that were results of online intimidation, gossips, and insensitive communications has gained national attention to the aspect of the people’s use of technology and internet to apparently bully others. The first thing that occurs in the mind when this topic is thought of would be “What exactly does this cyberbullying mean?” Actually, this question remains to be the main focus of numerous debates, if not a disagreement that at least either of the sides makes. When ordinary bullying of an individual is considered, descriptions of verbal intimidation and real physical harassment may be reminded about. However, as cyberbullying denotes some sort of internet technology or communication technology, either by using the Internet or mobile phones—it is nothing less than regular bullying as it essentially cannot comprise of any sort of physical abuse. Yet, that does not mean that cyberbullying result in physical abuse.
The uniqueness of cyberbullying has given rise to numerous state legislatures enacting criminal legislation that prohibit cyberbullying. A few such States to have introduced this kind of legislation include New York, Missouri, Rhode Island, Maryland, and California among others. Congress has also introduced a similar bill in the House that is yet to be passed for hearings of the sub-committee. The delay is because of the controversy that surrounds it.
Cyberbullying is an extensively popular issue, especially among teens. 53% of teens agree they have mentioned offensive things to other online users. This 53% is approximately 21,200,000 teenagers. Out of this roughly about 1/3, or above 7,000,000 teenagers have also agreed doing the same repeatedly, thus resulted in cyber-bullying. Cyber-bullying starts at a very young age. According to a particular survey, more than 50% of 4th graders use hurtful language against other online, with close to 70% of 8th graders saying doing the same. As cyberbullying is a serious problem in the contemporary society, it certainly needs to be made into a punishable offence.
As already stated earlier, cyberbullying has resulting in many youngsters committing suicide. Besides, cyberbullying also would result in many psychological disorders in teens, while also preventing a positive learning environment on the internet, thus depriving children of a plethora of learning opportunities.
Singapore is actually one of the first nations to have legalized cyberbullying by enacting numerous laws that offer protection against cyberbullying. Protection from Harassment Bill is one such law that was introduced in the Parliament to this effect. According to the Deputy Prime Minister and Home Affairs of the Singapore Government, Mr. Teo Chee Hean, the government of Singapore is contemplating if cyberbullying needs to be embattled more overtly. He said that his ministry is working closely with the Singapore Ministry of Law and also the Information, Communications and the Arts Ministry to assess other criminal laws that were formerly prior to the advent of the Internet era, in order to make sure that detrimental deed committed via electronic media can equally be punishable like in the cases of criminal wrongdoings.
The new bill that has been presented in the Singapore Parliament would make it unlawful to trail someone, either on the internet or in the physical world. Such a wrongdoing would result in the perpetrator being fined up to SGD5, 000, which is approximately equal to USD4, 000, or imprisonment for a period of minimum 12 months or even both depending on the extent of the offence.
The applications for enactment of such laws would also fortify the existing laws in relation to crimes of harassment and intimidation or goading of violence, by applying similar standards of what institutes provocation in the physical world as an offence even if committed online through the use of electronic media. “Convicted offenders could face a fine of SGD5, 000 ($4,000) or up to six months in jail or both. Repeat offenders would face enhanced penalties.”
According to the Singapore Law Ministry, deeds of harassment committed outside Singapore would also be considered as an offence in a few situations. For instance, if a criminal who stays abroad commits deeds that tantamount to pestering or persecution against a person, who is an acquaintance of the offender, and is present in Singapore during the occurrence of the crime, then all legislation related to stalking would be applicable against the offender, and he is punishable under the laws of Singapore. The existing law that protects public servants from harassment encountered when exercising their duties would also be extended under the proposals to include essential public service workers such as health care workers and public transport workers.
The various efforts that are being made by the government of Singapore for curbing cyberbullying signify one of the earliest nations to be attempting such things, and also an outcome of its status as an associated nation. A few of the prominent elements in the draft bill submitted in the Parliament are the extra-territoriality and the abolition of the common law tort of harassment. On the other hand, there could be possible questions whether the proposed laws are too wide, since they seem to exclude private investigation work, and how it will work with the juvenile system in the event a cyber-bully is a minor.”
Being a widespread social issue, cyberbullying often takes place under anonymity, and the actual identity of the perpetrator is difficult to be ascertained. Most of the perpetrators use aliases in order to commit offences pertaining to cyberbullying. In the recent past, cyberbullying has resulted in disastrous and agonizing consequences like victims choosing to commit suicide or experiencing extreme degrees of depression. Cyber-bullying is widespread in schools in particular.
Cyberbullying is a serious offence that causes great harm to the society, and thus is certainly needs to be legalized and made a punishable offence.
Bibliography
Channel News Asia. (2014). Tighter laws against cyberbullying? Retrieved from Channel News Asia: http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/tighter-laws-against-cybe/281740.html
ChannelNewsAsia. (2014). Singapore Government Considers Need for Tighter Cyber Bullying Laws. Retrieved from Endcyberbullying: http://www.endcyberbullying.org/singapore-government-considers-need-for-tighter-cyber-bullying-laws/
Hatchin, S. H. (2014, September). State Cyberbullying Laws - A Brief Review of State Cyberbullying Laws and Policies. Retrieved from Cyberbullying Research Center: http://www.cyberbullying.us/Bullying_and_Cyberbullying_Laws.pdf
Out-Law.com. (2014, March 05). Singapore to legislate against cyber bullies. Retrieved from Out-Law.com: http://www.out-law.com/articles/2014/march/singapore-to-legislate-against-cyber-bullies/
Powell, W. (2012, February 07). Cyberbullying - A Question of Punishment. Retrieved from ASAP National: http://aspanational.wordpress.com/2012/02/07/cyber-bullying-a-question-of-punishment/
The Forensics Files. (2010, December). Resolved: Cyberbullying should be a criminal offence. Retrieved from Forensics Files: http://sfcdebate.wikispaces.com/file/view/PFD_December_2010.pdf
Wolf44. (2012, March 22). hould cyberbullying be criminalized? Retrieved from Debate.org: http://www.debate.org/debates/Should-cyberbullying-be-criminalized/1/
