Cyberbullying: Using Facebook and Text Messages to Harass Others

June 16, 2011

Many people had not even heard the term "Facebook bullying" until last year when a 15-year-old Massachusetts girl committed suicide after months of being taunted online and bullied in person by fellow classmates. Prosecutors in that case decided to send a strong message and brought felony charges against the six alleged bullies.

Fifteen-year-old Phoebe Prince moved to Massachusetts from Ireland in 2009, enrolling in South Hadley High School. School officials noted that she initially thrived in school, but after a few months they noticed a difference in her attitude. The New York Times reports that a few months into the school year, other students started berating the 15-year-old girl, and one was even overheard threatening to punch Prince in the face. It is believed that the harassment grew out of Prince's relationships with two upperclassmen, both of whom she dated briefly.

In addition to the face-to-face threats, it was reported that Prince received harassing text messages and online messages through the social networking site Facebook.

A friend told prosecutors that threats of physical harm against Prince intensified, and as she walked home one afternoon, one of her tormentors threw an empty can at her and called her a name. It was later that afternoon that Prince's sister discovered her, hanging in their apartment stairwell.

According to documents filed in court, several teachers and school administrators were aware of the harassment, but did nothing to stop it.

Six students -- four females and two males -- were charged with several felony offenses, including stalking, violation of civil rights and causing bodily injury (i.e., contributing to Prince's death). Three were charged as adults, including two who were charged with statutory rape.

Five of the students have since pleaded guilty to various misdemeanor charges, receiving a year of probation and up to 100 hours of community service each. The remaining student, who is facing statutory rape charges, has a trial scheduled for July.

Since Prince's death, the state of Massachusetts has taken several measures to curb bullying. In addition to outlawing in-school and online bullying, the state requires public schools to create and implement bullying prevention and intervention plans.

The Rise of Facebook Bullying Across the Nation

Since Prince's story hit the news in January 2010, other students have come forward across the country, talking about their own experiences with cyberbullying.

In January 2011, two Florida teens were arrested after creating fake Facebook profiles in an effort to bully a classmate. The fake profiles, appearing to come from the victim herself, included obscene pictures and lewd comments. In statements made to investigators, the victim said she thought the pages would just go away, but other students continued to ridicule her. The two teens were charged with felony-level aggravated stalking of a minor.

Around the same time, a 14-year-old student from Orange County, New York, took his own life after being taunted on Facebook about his sexual orientation. His death, along with the suicide of another teen at his school the week before, prompted Facebook to issue a statement noting, "These cases serve as a painful reminder of how people can help others who are either bullied or show signs of distress on Facebook. We encourage them to notify us, and we work with third-party support groups including the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline to reach out to people who may need help."

Earlier this year in Pennsylvania, police believe that Facebook bullying resulted in a 16-year-old girl attempting to commit suicide by jumping from a bridge. After receiving threats and having potentially embarrassing photos of her posted on Facebook, she decided to jump from a local bridge. She survived the fall, but broke a number of bones in the process.

Several days afterward, her mother spoke out, "She felt like she had nobody. They kept bullying her, they kept messing with her, calling her all kinds of names. This is not a game, this is somebody's life, this is a teenager's life."

Two months ago in Washington state, a 12-year-old girl spoke out about how her life was turned upside down after two friends hacked into her Facebook account and left vulgar images on her Facebook wall. Following a fight, the friends accessed her Facebook account (she had made the mistake of logging into Facebook on a friend's computer and saving her password) and sent lewd messages to others that appeared to come directly from her. People immediately began looking at her differently.

An officer involved in that case noted, "Bullying is still bullying whether it's face to face or using a computer, a telephone, text messages -- it's still bullying." Both former friends have been charged with juvenile crimes and could face up to a month in juvenile detention.

Take a Stand Against Bullying: File a Personal Injury Lawsuit

While law enforcement can bring criminal charges against alleged bullies, those who have been a victim of cyberbullying can bring a personal injury claim for intentional infliction of emotional distress or other injuries. Injury claims can often be filed against the bully, his or her parents and, in some cases, the school district.

By taking a stand, victims send a message that bullies cannot get away with continued hazing and they should be held responsible for their actions. If you or a loved one has been bullied online or at school, contact a personal injury or Facebook bullying attorney in your area to learn how you can take action.

Article provided by Trolman, Glaser & Lichtman, P.C.
Visit us at www.tgllaw.com