Throwing sticks and stones in cyberspace

OLYMPIA – “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.”

These words weren’t true when Baby Boomers uttered them decades ago on playgrounds across America, and are no more accurate now. Instead, there are more ways for today’s youth to intimidate each other, through cell phones and the Internet, with instant messaging, text messaging and setting up imposter Web sites. Cyberspace has become a real-life extension of playing video games.

Cyberbullying is on the rise, thanks to the explosion of technology. But under Senate Bill 5288, sponsored by Sen. Jeanne Kohl-Welles, D- Seattle, the practice would not be tolerated in public schools. The bill passed the state Senate today on a vote of 42-6, with one senator excused.

“I have heard heartbreaking stories from families not just in Washington but from across the country about children who have been victimized by cyberbullying,” Kohl-Welles said. “The toll can be tremendous. Many students suffer in silence without telling even their parents. Their self-esteem eroded, their sense of personal safety violated, many often struggle in school and at home while they are victimized.”

Kohl-Welles’ bill adds electronic acts to the current definition of harassment, intimidation or bullying in anti-bullying legislation passed by the Legislature in 2002. That law requires school districts to adopt their own policy prohibiting the harassment, intimidation or bullying of any student. SB 5288 would apply to electronic bullying taking place on school grounds and while using school equipment. It would also require that information be shared with parents or made available via the district’s Web site on the seriousness of cyberbullying and what can be done to protect students.

A study recently conducted by I-Safe America, an organization that promotes Web safety, found that of the 1,500 students in fourth through eighth grade who were surveyed, 42 percent said they had been bullied online. And 53 percent admitted they had said something mean or hurtful online. A majority — 58 percent — had not told their parents that something upsetting had happened to them online.

“The more that we all know about the prevalence and consequences of cyberbullying, the better we can educate our youth about its harm,” Kohl-Welles said. “With the often anonymous nature of cyberbullying and with consequences as tragic as suicide, we need to tackle this problem now.”

SB 5288 moves to the House of Representatives for further consideration.

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