Today Ars Technica published an
article on California AB 86, introduced by assemblyman Ted Lieu and just
passed by the state senate, that gives school administrators the discretion to
suspend or expel students for cyberbullying. The bill initially began as a move
towards better nutrition in schools, and as is wont with legislation, was
modified several times on its way through the sausage law mill and
now contains a blip about bullying by means of an electronic act.
It does bring to mind the slam books that girls used to pass around in school which could be vicious, (especially if the shortcomings pointed out therein were actually true). However, the internet makes it too easy for hurtful comments to be made instantly pervasive -- permanently. Comments made online long outlast paper slam books (which the principal can toss into the school incinerator).
By the way, I did notice several comments on the Ars Technica article referring to the crazy liberal California politicians. I'd like to point out that Iowa, Minnesota, New Jersey and Oregon already have anti-cyberbullying laws and several other states are further along in passing such laws than California is. But we're always happy to take the credit for being first.