A new and horrifying cyberbullying trend is cropping up nationwide, tormenting young children and teenagers alike. This new trend combines the worst of old-school bullying with the more recent horrors of cyberbullying. The trend involves the child being cornered and attacked by their peers while their peers are recording the beatings. The offenders then post videos of the attack on social media platforms, often accompanied by demeaning comments about the victim. The purpose of the trend is two-fold – social media posters receive, sometimes thousands of views and likes on these videos, and second, the sickening torment of their fellow student.

Children All Over the Country are Falling Victim

This hybrid bullying-cyber bulling trend is already proving incredibly harmful, and no student seems to be off limits. In March this year, a 5-year-old Michigan kindergartener was attacked on the school bus on the way home by a 6^th grader while students recorded the incident. Later that same month, in Texas, an 11-year-old was beaten in the school cafeteria while eating his breakfast; the video was almost immediately available on the social media platform TikTok.

Are Schools Doing Enough?

While schools may have resource officers, schools can be limited in incidents that happen off school grounds or in the digital space. Schools also have discretion on what they report to police regarding school fights and violence. Students participating in this trend and other cyberbullying don't seem bothered by the current consequences. Community service and suspensions aren't a strong enough deterrent. Parents often feel that schools can't or won't do enough, and students who couldn't care less about the consequences are leading parents throughout the country to advocate for getting cyberbullying laws on the books in their states.

Taking Action

Maryland spearheaded legislation in 2019 by passing Grace's Law. The law is the first of its kind to tie consequences to using social media in bullying. Under Grace's Law, a person who "send[s] out tormenting tweets and Facebook posts" or participated in cyberbullying on other platforms is subject to up to three years in prison and faces up to a $10,000 fine. If the cyberbullying incident pushes the victim to suicide the prison, the oppressor could face up to 10 years in prison. The law creates a zero-tolerance policy for cyberbullying, meaning that just one single post is enough for the poster to face severe and permanent consequences.

The parents of a 13-year-old girl in New Jersey have been working with their local mayor, advocating for a local and statewide criminal ban on sharing videos or images of an attack on a minor. The girl's attack and the accompanying video followed shortly after another New Jersey girl took her own life following an attack consistent with this same trend.

What to do if Your Child is a Victim

If you or your child has been the victim of this cyberbullying trend or any other cyberbullying, you don't need to go through this alone, and you are not powerless. National Education Attorney-Advisor Joseph D. Lento can help you and your family determine who should and can be held accountable. The Lento Law Firm Team can help you navigate the next steps to best protect your child and seek justice on their behalf. Contact us today by calling 888-535-3686 or scheduling a consultation online.