Dive Brief:

• A new Pennsylvania law, signed earlier this month, makes cyberbullying a misdemeanor, with possible fines up to $2,500 and the potential for jail time.
• More than 50% of students nationwide report being cyberharassed and a third said they had been threatened.
• The law will take effect in September.

Dive Insight:

By and large, states have taken a piecemeal approach to preventing adults and young people alike from harassing students using text messages or social media. Less than half of the states specifically ban cyberbullying, although most include provisions against electronic harassment generally.

As a result, courts have often dealt with the issue on a case-by-case basis, and districts have been left to develop their own policies. Northern York School District, in Pennsylvania, for example, implemented rules for all staff and students for how to behave online.

Still, it can be challenging as much of the bullying may not happen on school grounds, or even anywhere in particular. But the stakes are high, as more of students' interactions are taking place in the digital sphere and the toll digital bullying takes on students is becoming clearer.