BEV BUTULA: Site focuses on cyberbullying laws

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The Cyberbullying Research Center is “dedicated to providing up-to-date information about the nature, extent, causes, and consequences of cyberbullying among adolescents.” The website launched in 2005 and contains a variety of information.

The “Resources” page includes tips and guidance for educators, teens and parents, including a guide regarding the preservation of cyberbullying evidence. The website also includes a blog and data from various studies conducted by the directors of the center.

The item of most interest to me was the State Cyberbullying Law fact sheet. It is basically a 50-state survey outlining bullying legislation. The summary sheet identifies if a state has bullying laws and if it includes cyberbullying or electronic harassment. It further outlines if the legislation imposes sanctions and if it includes off-campus behaviors.

The review then provides a brief state by state summary of the specific statutory sections or bill numbers.