Unlike in past decades, bullying has not only become recognized by society as a cause of anxiety, depression, and even suicide among teens, state legislatures have spoken up, as well. With the advent of social media, cyberbullying has become particularly vicious, with children and teens able to antagonize one another at all hours of the day, in more extreme forms, and in front of an internet audience. If your child or teen is being cyber-bullied, you have the power to prevent it. Let us help your child obtain the justice they deserve.
Nebraska cyberbullying laws
Cyber-bullying itself is not a crime in Nebraska, but it may fall under some other criminal acts such as stalking or harassment. However, a child’s primary recourse is through their school. This is because Nebraska law requires all schools to develop and implement anti-bullying policies for their students.
Because Nebraska requires schools to enact anti-bullying policies, schools have a duty to intervene on any reports of harassment or bullying. This means school administrators and teachers must act within their powers to stop the bullying, which may lead to serious trouble for bullies. Nebraska law empowers schools to suspend—or even expel—bullies and cyberbullies.
What to do if your child is being bullied in a Nebraska school?
If your child is being bullied online by classmates, it is important that you notify his or her teachers. If the bullying continues, you may need to escalate the situation to the principal immediately. Maintain records of each incident and the times you have reported the bullying. A school must take reasonable steps to stop the bullying and it is up to you to keep them informed of what is going on.
What if the bullying does not stop?
Parents should use every resource available to them to prevent bullying, including the law. In some states, parents have successfully taken out restraining orders against their child’s bully. While not a common practice, this may be an option in particularly severe situations. If a child has committed an actual crime in the course of bullying, it may be possible to alert law enforcement who can then determine if any actionable crime has been committed. Finally, if the bullying has substantially harmed your child emotionally, you may be able to bring a civil lawsuit against the school or the bully themselves.
Conclusion
Cyber-bullying in 2018 is no joke and can have severe and lasting impacts on a child’s mental well-being. If your child is being bullied, a lawyer on your side may force a school to take action to stop it, or help with trying more extreme measures such as filing a lawsuit to make the bullying stop. If you want to discuss your options in your bullying case, please reach out to us today for a free case evaluation.
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