Poll: Should cyberbullying be classed as a crime?

A government report today will recommend that online bullying should be seen as a crime. Good idea? Bad idea?

By Christine Bohan Thursday 11 Jul 2013, 10:17 AM

Jul 11th 2013, 10:17 AM 6,649 Views 133 Comments

https://jrnl.ie/988046

Image: AP Photo/David Goldman

Image: AP Photo/David Goldman

A GOVERNMENT REPORT to be published today will recommend that cyberbullying should be classified as a crime.

There has been increased impetus on the government to tackle online bullying after some social media sites were implicated in recent high profile bullying cases – including at least two in which teenagers took their own lives.

The Government’s special rapporteur on child protection will today say that existing laws should be used to prosecute people who use the internet to bully people. It is not yet known what punishments would be imposed for the crime.

So today’s question: Should cyberbullying be classed as a crime?

Poll Results:

No (1457)

Yes (1233)

I'm not sure (338)

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About the author

Christine Bohan

@ChristineBohan

christine@thejournal.ie

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Poll: Should cyberbullying be classed as a crime?