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SALT LAKE CITY — More schools around the country are cracking down on cyberbullying, not just against students but against teachers.
"Whether it's adult-to-adult or student-to-adult or adult-to-student, it needs to be reported, and you keep going up the chain," said Tracey Watson, Utah Education Association director of legal services and general counsel.
She said the Utah Legislature did pass a law prohibiting cyberbullying of any kind in public schools, but some states have stricter laws.
North Carolina recently became the first state to pass a law prohibiting students from bullying teachers online.
- 1 in 7 teachers said they had been cyber bullied
- Of those, 68% had received unpleasant emails
- 26% had been the subject of abuse on websites
- 28% had received abusive text messages
That law, which makes it a misdemeanor, prohibits students from creating fake online profiles for teachers. It also makes it a crime to post real images or make any statement online, even if it's true, that provokes harassment.
If a student is found guilty, he or she could face up to a $1,000 fine, jail time and possibly being transferred to another school.
Watson pointed out it's not just students attacking teachers; it can come from fellow educators or administrators.
She said schools must also work to stop bullying before it happens. Many talk about it at orientation, and the Utah State Office of Education has updated policies that districts can adopt.
