Cyberharassment

 Cyberharassment

 **What is cyberharassment?** According to the [|National Center for Victims of Crime] (NCVC), [|cyberharassment] is a form of cyberstalking. Online stalking is similar to offline stalking, in that the primary motive is control. The perpetrator attempts to force his or her way into the target's life, through various intrusive behaviors. Cyberstalking is generally considered more serious, often includes offline as well as online contact, and is prosecuted in criminal courts. Cyberharassment may be of shorter duration, and is generally limited to online behaviors, such as:  While some of these forms of cyberharassment may seem to be merely irritating, all carry the danger of escalation to cyberstalking or even offline stalking. Cyberharassment is also related to bias crimes, targeting individuals by race, ethnic identity, religion, gender or sexual preference.  Another form of cyberharassment occurs with teens or young adults starts with "sexting," i.e. sending explicit messages or nude images of themselves. [|One quarter to one third of all teens and young adults surveyed] state they have engaged in such behaviors. Such content is often forwarded to others without consent, resulting in public humiliation and ruined reputations. Two recent suicides have been traced to such situations.
 * Annoying, obscene,or even threatening electronic communications such as text messages, IMs and emails
 * Spamming: Perpetrators may target individuals to receive marketing communications or even pornography
 * "Flaming": repeated inflammatory comments on a message board or in a chat room
 * Inappropriate postings targeting an individual on a message board or in a chat room
 * Malicious communications containing viruses or spyware
 * Use of spyware or hacking to track or intimidate the targeted individual

 Parry Aftab and the Teenangels describe the impact of cyberharassment in[| this video].


 * Cyberharassment and the Law** ...

<span style="color: #008080; font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace; font-size: 120%;">State Laws in New Jersey:

According to the National Conference on State Legislation (ncsl.org), New Jersey is one of only four states that [|does not have explicit laws] regarding cyberharassment. State harassment laws still apply, but the specific legislation existing in those forty-six other states makes it easier to prosecute Internet-based crimes.

The first Federal Cyberharassment Prosecution:

In 2004, the [|first U.S. Federal prosecution of cyberharassment] found James Robert Murphy of South Carolina guilty of " Use of a Telecommunications Device (the internet) with Intent to Annoy, Abuse, Threaten or Harass," based on his two years' of harassing emails, fax messages, and pornographic spamming directed towards an ex-girlfriend. His sentence included 500 hours of community service, five years of probation, and $12,000 in restitution.

Cyberharassment and Hate Crimes

The Federal Hate Crimes Law was enacted in 1969 to guard the rights of any U.S. citizen who is targeted because of race, color, religion or national origin, or because of an attempt to engage in one of six protected activities, such as voting, going to school or attending a public venue. President Obama signed into law last month the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act, which extends federal protection to illegal acts motivated by a person's actual or perceived gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or disability.

<span style="display: block; font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace; text-align: center;">**This [|OnPointRadio podcast] from NPR of Boston discusses a pending cyberharassment case, and analyzes the connections between anonymous cyberharassment and mob psychology.**

**<span style="background-color: #d3ecf3; color: #006000; display: block; font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace; font-size: 120%; text-align: left;"> <span style="background-color: #d3ecf3; color: #006000; display: block; font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace; font-size: 120%; text-align: center;">What to do if you are the target of Cyberharassment: ** <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;"> This means printing out the emails, saving the phone messages, and keeping a log of all such contacts. Fortunately, cyberharassment usually leaves an electronic trail. This can be used by law enforcement officials as you...
 * 1. Document all instances of harassment.**

Your local court clerk can guide you in the procedures to obtain a "no contact" order or a restraining order. It is not necessary that this be part of a situation of domestic violence. If such an order is violated, contact law enforcement officers immediately.
 * 2. File a legal complaint.**

It can be troubling or even disruptive to your peace of mind and daily activities to be the target of harassment. Try to channel the anxiety into action by following the steps described above.
 * 3. Remember, it is not your fault.**

There are additional laws and protections that apply to you and your situation. The [|New Jersey Attorney General]maintains a statewide referral service at 1-800-277-BIAS (2427). This office addresses crimes of prejudice which are "based on race, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender, disability or ethnicity."
 * 4. If you are the target of bias crime**...

<span style="background-color: #e5f3c3; color: #000080; display: block; font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace; text-align: center;">**<span style="background-color: #abfcab; color: #000080; display: block; font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace; font-size: 134%; text-align: center;"> How can teachers and parents help to prevent cyberharassment? ** <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace;">As parents and teachers, if we were asked how to teach children to be considerate of others' feelings and respectful of others' personal space and property, we would have ready answers: //Play nicely. If it's not yours, leave it alone. Don't use bad language. No name calling.// And, of course, the Golden Rule: //**Treat others as you want them to treat you.**// Applying these principles to Internet activities transfers the same thinking to a new venue. We must explicitly teach this as a specific application of these lessons, but the lessons are the same. The Internet does have an element of anonymity, which we must discuss in a straightforward manner. Children need to be made aware that the trust we associate with face-to-face interaction cannot be assumed online. We do not really know who soccerstar8 really is, no matter how friendly she seems. Conversely, what we do, even as DonJuan99, leaves an electronic trail which can be retraced right back to us. We need to be the role models our children want to emulate. If we accept that the cyber-world has thoroughly infused our daily activities, this realization leads us to teach our children well, preparing them to manage the seamless integration of online and offline living. Years ago in 1977, before technology carried such concerns, CSNY described this goal in their song, [|Teach Your Children]. Integrity is the state of being sound, complete, and of strong moral character, regardless of the location and circumstances. Integrity has value in every aspect of our lives, and leads us to those choices which we do not later regret. Even as our lives seem to become more complicated, this is more true than ever. As mentioned in Resources, the best protection we can provide to our children is that which they will carry with them.

//**<span style="background-color: #e5f3c3; color: #007000; display: block; font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace; font-size: 99%; text-align: center;">Want to talk about all this further? At our Online Behavior Forum, you can share your own experiences or pose questions for others to consider. **//