Criminalizing Cyber Bullying. What's your take?

[Juan Martinez]

Cyber-bullying via social media seen as crime
Inquirer.Net, May 25, 2015 07:16pm

PICKING on someone on Facebook may soon become a crime.

A bill has been filed at the House of Representatives defining and penalizing "cyber-bullying," or the act of posting rude, offensive or insulting messages against the victim on the Internet.

"By penalizing acts of cyber-bullying, people are encouraged to become responsible netizens and make them accountable for their cyber-actions," the author, Camarines Sur Rep. Rolando Andaya Jr., said in an explanatory note.

Cyber-bullying, he said, would refer to "acts of cruelty committed using the Internet or any form of electronic media or technology that has the effect of stripping one's dignity or causing reasonable fear or physical or emotional harm."

Offensive acts include the following:

a) Repeatedly sending offensive, rude and insulting message;

b) Distributing derogatory information about the victim;

c) Posting or sending offensive photos of the victim, whether these are digitally altered or not, or were taken with or without consent, with the intention to humiliate and embarrass the victim;

d) Breaking into an email, social networking or any electronic account and using the victim's virtual identity to send, upload or distribute embarrassing materials to or about others;

e) Sharing the victim's personal information or any embarrassing information, or tricking the victim into revealing personal or embarrassing information and sharing it to others; and

f) Repeatedly sending messages that include threats of harm or engaging in online activities that cause fear on the victim's safety.

"Cyber-bullying is one such problem that the advancement in technology and social media has generated. It can potentially affect not only school-aged children, but also any individual who has access to a mobile phone or the internet," Andaya said.

Under House Bill 5718, or the proposed "Anti Cyber-Bullying Act of 2015," cyber-bullies shall face a penalty of fines ranging from P50,000 to P100,000, or imprisonment between six months and six years, or both, at the discretion of the court.

"The onset of the Internet has shattered world barriers empowering users with immense information and allowed them to be socially connected to virtually anybody around the globe in the comfort of their own homes," Andaya said.

"Because of the anonymity that the Internet gives, social and moral norms are easily switched off and users are emboldened to just say or post anything online without accountability," he added.

As a result, "Internet bashing" has become a culture among Internet users and even spawned problems that involve hostility and aggression, Andaya said.

The measure provides that the Commission on Information and Communications Technology (CICT), Department of Justice (DOJ), and the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) shall jointly formulate the necessary rules and regulations within 90 days of passage.

HB 5718 has been referred to the information communication technology committee chaired by Rizal Rep. Joel Roy Duavit. SFM/ABC

[StockEngine]

I wonder if posting nude pictures of my future ex girlfriend is considered cyber bullying.

[greenbeast]

Yes i agree on the OP. However they need a proof that the owner of the account that did the crime is the real one. There were cases where some accounts were compromised and used those accounts for their bad deeds. For all i know if i saw a computer where a Facebook user is logged on, i can do anything or say anything to his friends or loved ones

[vinj]

I wonder if posting nude pictures of my future ex girlfriend is considered cyber bullying.

Not only is it bullying under item letter c of the listed offensive acts on the above article, it's demeaning to a fellow person when done.

But they should put exceptions to the law... like stupid, corrupt politicians and their offspring perhaps?

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I wonder if posting nude pictures of my future ex girlfriend is considered cyber bullying.

Not only is it bullying under item letter c of the listed offensive acts on the above article, it's demeaning to a fellow person when done.

But they should put exceptions to the law... like stupid, corrupt politicians and their offspring perhaps?

[yebo]

politicians lang takot sa social media. nabubuking kasi sila. so now they make a law that prohibits people from "bullying" them and their abusive families. nice.

[niky]

As with libel or slander, some of these things should fall under the category of civil rather than criminal offenses.

Direct communication and threatening the victim with harm can fall under "grave threats" or somesuch... and can be treated as criminal.

"Hacking" accounts is definitely criminal.

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As with libel or slander, some of these things should fall under the category of civil rather than criminal offenses.

Direct communication and threatening the victim with harm can fall under "grave threats" or somesuch... and can be treated as criminal.

"Hacking" accounts is definitely criminal.

[1D4LV]

imho, there is a thin fine line that defines bullying... it depends on the recepient of the comments.
parang libel yan eh, you will not know what is harmful or not, depende sa nakakatanggap ng komentaryo.
i would agree with niky that it should be under the category of a civil offense instead of a criminal offense.

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imho, there is a thin fine line that defines bullying... it depends on the recepient of the comments.
parang libel yan eh, you will not know what is harmful or not, depende sa nakakatanggap ng komentaryo.
i would agree with niky that it should be under the category of a civil offense instead of a criminal offense.

[vinj]

politicians lang takot sa social media. nabubuking kasi sila. so now they make a law that prohibits people from "bullying" them and their abusive families. nice.

And it's also the families of the politicos that are dumb enough to post dumb things kaya sila na-bubully.

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politicians lang takot sa social media. nabubuking kasi sila. so now they make a law that prohibits people from "bullying" them and their abusive families. nice.

And it's also the families of the politicos that are dumb enough to post dumb things kaya sila na-bubully.