California legislature moves on cyber-bullying measures

If a bill now being considered by the California State Senate and Assembly becomes law, schoolyard bullies who use the Internet and text messaging to intimidate others may be expelled from school.

California Democratic Assemblyman Ted Lieu of Torrance, a Los Angeles suburb, introduced a measure to the Legislature in January 2007 in an effort to combat cyber-bullying, which he says has become an increasingly large problem with the pervasiveness of social networking.

In 2006, Opinion Research conducted a survey on the subject of cyber-bullying, interviewing both teens and pre-teens. Thirty-six percent of teens and 17 percent of pre-teens reported being harassed electronically.

Overall, a large majority were telling at least someone about the incidents, most typically a friend. However, parents and teachers are less likely to know about it: Among pre-teens, 51% of parents and 27% of teachers were informed about cyber-bullying incidents. Yet among teens, the figures were significantly lower: 35% of parents and 9% of teachers.

These figures are likely a motivating factor for supporters of anti-cyber-bullying laws to move forward. If victims know that there would be repercussions for bullies if and when they report the incidents, it could be argued, they may be more apt to do so.

Under the new legislation currently being considered, California's current Education Code would be amended to allow for suspension or expulsion if he or she "engaged in an act of bullying, including, but not limited to, bullying committed by means of an electronic act...directed specifically toward a pupil or school personnel."

California defines an electronic act as "the transmission of a communication, including, but not limited to, a message, text, sound, or image by means of an electronic device, including, but not limited to, a telephone, wireless telephone or other wireless communication device, computer, or pager."

Movement on the bill has been slow, with the State Assembly passing the bill by a vote of 60-10 on January 22 of this year. The vote of approval from the State Senate came Monday, when it was passed by a 22-11 vote.

The bill will now be sent back to the Assembly for the consideration of amendments that were added to the Senate version of the bill. If approved, it will go to Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) to be signed into law.

Canada has taken a more aggressive stance. Some forms of cyber-bullying can be found criminal under the Criminal Code of Canada, or in violation of the country's Human Rights Act.