Looks at the recent proposed amendments by the federal government to the 25-year-old Sex Discrimination Act which aim to give greater legal protection to victims under 16 of online sexual harassment and cyber-bullying. Critics say the proposed changes are "too little to late."
My blog post on the new social networking site, Togetherville, that's specifically aimed at 6-10-year-olds. Looks at the reception from the media so far, and whether or not it can be an effective tool against cyberbullying as it effects kids in this very young demographic.
Looks at a new social networking site for children aged 6-10. It's heavily monitored and controlled by parents for the sake of online safety, but the concern is that young children can just as easily sign up to other social networking sites that aren't so restrictive.
In an attempt by the government to modernise the 25-year-old Sex Descrimination Act, new laws have been made to protect teenagers from cyber-bullying acts such as sexting and online harrassment. It also protects breastfeeding women and gives men the same protection as women in the workplace when it comes to family responsibilities.
My blog post on the outcomes of the recent conference which saw educators, politicians and lawyers discuss the problem Australia has with cyberbullying.
Another case of cyber bullying that led to the suicide of a teenager, Allem Halkic, who was sent threatening texts and Internet communication by former friend, Shane Phillip Gerada. Gerada received an 18-month community-based order after pleading guilty to stalking Allem. Another move towards the governance of threatening behaviour via the Internet.
Statistics now show that 15% of teachers have experienced cyber bullying themselves, and half know another teacher who has. Cyber bullying of teachers has included Facebook hate groups, Videos of the teachers in the classroom being posted to Youtube, or hate sites. Shows that this isn't just an issue between peers.
Talks about the proposed Megan Meier Cyberbullying Prevention Act which, if passed, would outlaw speech meant to "coerce, intimidate, harass, or cause substantial emotional distress to a person." Critics see it as a form of censorship.
A California appeals court allows students to be trialled for hate crimes for posting threatening comments on a fellow student's blog after it was ruled these comments were not protected free speech. Interesting development that narrowss the gap between traditonal schoolyard bullying and cyber bullying.
An article about cyber bullying via Facebook groups. Notes that it doesn't just happen between peers, but adults can be the victim too, citing an example of a Facebook group created by students to bully a teacher. The article outlines the procedure that it taken to deal with this kind of bullying and the applicable laws on place to curb it.