From taunting and teasing to posting threats online, cyberbullies make their classmates miserable across the state, but punishments vary widely, from meetings with parents to out-of-school suspensions, depending on the school district.
A bill introduced Monday would require the state school board to define bullying and cyberbullying and standardize punishments.
“No law is going to be able to actually eliminate bullying, but we can provide recourse so children aren?t killing themselves or not attending school,” said Del. Craig Rice, D-Montgomery, the legislation?s sponsor.
Tormented by her classmates, a Montgomery County high school student could no longer endure the harassment she suffered for being gay.
At school, classmates tortured her with constant taunts, and at home, they plagued her with name-calling and threats on MySpace.
But in Montgomery, a student can bully the same victim three times before a conference is called between parents and teachers, a rule that prompted the targeted student to ask Rice for help, he said.
Deadly consequences of bullying, both face to face and on the Internet, continue to grab headlines.
A 12-year-old boy from suburban Kansas City committed suicide last year after classmates teased him, and a 13-year-old suburban St. Louis girl hanged herself after a former friend?s mother posed as a boyfriend on MySpace and sent cruel messages.
About two-thirds of students responsible for 37 school shootings nationwide, including Columbine, felt bullied, according to the American Psychological Association.
“Cyberbullying is so disconcerting because at school there is a smaller audience, but now we?re talking about something worldwide,” Rice said.
Responding to a rise in fist fights fueled by online exchanges, teachers across the state are incorporating lessons on cyberbullying in their health classes, particularly in middle school, the most vulnerable time.
Twelve-year-olds in Maryland were the most frequent victims of bullying during the 2005-06 school year, according to a state report.
Last week, Carroll County sheriff?s deputies held a cyberbullying summit to teach parents how to diffuse potentially traumatic situations.
