Speech News

New Del. laws target cyberbullying

Wire Report
Tuesday, July 31, 2012

DOVER, Del. — State officials are strengthening efforts to crack down on the bullying and cyberbullying of Delaware school students.

Gov. Jack Markell has signed a law that expands reporting requirements for incidents of school bullying.

Under existing law, school districts must report substantiated cases of bullying to the state Department of Education. The new law requires reporting all incidents of bullying, regardless of whether they are substantiated by local officials.

Another bill signed by Markell on July 27 calls for a uniform statewide policy on cyberbullying to be adopted by all public schools.

Cyberbullying is verbal bullying conducted online, often through social media.

Officials have said the attorney general’s office would develop a carefully crafted cyberbullying policy that respects the free-speech rights of students when they are not at school.

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The most basic liberties guaranteed to Americans – embodied in the 45 words of the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution – assure Americans a government that is responsible to its citizens and responsive to their wishes.

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The First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution – the cornerstone of American democracy – is the focus of the National First Amendment Moot Court Competition. Recognized as one of the nation's finest constitutional-law competitions, this annual event features a current First Amendment controversy.

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