As the opportunity to connect with others at the touch of a button continues to grow in the world and our children gain access at younger and younger ages to electronic forms of communication, we must consider the ramifications of cyberbullying. Here in Florida, cyberbullying is a big problem for children and teens, just as it is a problem across the nation. But what are the Florida cyberbullying laws? Can this harassment be stopped through legal means? What can you do to protect your children from the cruelty we so often see on the news? What is Cyberbullying in Florida? First, we need to understand what cyberbullying means in a legal context in Florida. Thankfully, Florida is one of the few states that legally defines cyberbullying. According to the Florida statutes, cyberbullying is “bullying through the use of technology or any electronic communication.” The law goes on to define cyberbullying against a student as behavior that: causes a student to feel reasonable fear of harm to body or property; interferes with academic performance and educational benefits; or disrupts the daily order of the school. This behavior can include the use of: email; fax; internet; and instant messages. Like other forms …
