Proposed Anti-Bully Legislation at the Gold Dome

[Foxmeister]

We have all heard news stories of cyber bullying resulting in some teens committing suicide. Some kids (and adults) go as far as creating Facebook pages and websites to make fun of or to bully someone. Now some in the state legislature want to expand bully laws.

Lawmakers say students need to be protected in and outside of the classroom.

Can you see where this is going? The key word in the quote above is "students" not children. Can you see where this is going now? If not:

State representative Barbara Reese said she'll introduce legislation this week to make it illegal for students to bully via text message, email or on social networking sites. Reese says it will give authority for schools to police students.

"I hope it will make young people more aware of bullying in all areas and that it will cut down on bullying in the classrooms and schools," said Rep. Reese.

My question is, why make the schools be responsible for disciplining children for cyber bullying if they are doing this from home? The school is supposed to provide a safe environment for our children on campus. It's the responsibility of the parents to provide a safe environment for their children away from school. It's also the responsibility of parents to demand their schools maintain a safe environment for the children while at school.

Do you think this legislation is infringing upon the responsibilities of parents?

 

[naturegirl]

We have to face the fact that some parents don't.....well, parent. While I feel it is not the school's responsibility to monitor kids not in school, I think there needs to be recourse somewhere for those that are bullied.

 

[Foxmeister]

I'm a firm believer of holding parents responsible for the actions of their children. In the military, a military member is responsible for the actions of their dependents on a military installation. Lets say SFC Joe Snuffy's kid Junior goes around keying cars in the PX parking lot. SFC Snuffy is responsible for Junior's action. SFC Snuffy can face punitive charges and Junior can be banned from post. SFC Snuffy isn't going to get promoted now. What do you think SFC Snuffy's going to do to Junior? There's that discipline thing.

If some bully sends a text message communicating a threat to one of my kids, I'm calling the police. If some bully puts up a website or a FB page that defames the character of my child, I'm getting an attorney and filing suit against the bully's parents. If we start holding the parents of these bullys accountable for their kid's behavior, maybe then the kid will quit being a bully.

One way to make a bully stop being a bully is to kick his butt. Perhaps holding the kid's parents accountable, one of the parents will kick his butt.

What we need are laws that hold the parents responsible for their childrens offenses.

 

[Grey Colson]

Government schools are just an extention of.....wait for it.....THE GOVERNMENT. What do you get when a bunch of undisciplined, punk kids grow up out of an anything goes society?

Answer: A bunch of undisciplined parents that have no desire to teach their children basic manners and respect for others. If they wanted to discipline them, they probably couldn't because they don't even know what discipline is.

It's evolution in reverse.

 

[Foxmeister]

Some of those undisciplined kids grow up and join the military and then become parents themselves. I've seen them turn into disciplinarians because they're held accountable for their kids actions. Even when their kids get into trouble off the military installation, it effects their careers because they have to take time off from work to go to court or get them from the school because the kid was suspended.

If we discipline the parents for their kid's poor behavior; they will most likely in turn start disciplining their kids.

 

[Waski_the_Squirrel]

As a public school teacher, I really don't want the added responsibility of worrying about what kids post online from home. I have enough to do.

The principal here mentioned recently a conversation he had with some parents who were upset about how another boy was bullying their son online. The principal suggested that they call the bully's parents. Their response? "Oh no, we couldn't do that." They wanted the principal to do something, but wouldn't actually take a stand themselves for their own son.

That is where laws like this come from, that and politicians who want to be seen to be doing something. It's not a power grab, but it will easily set the stage for one if we the people let it pass.

 

[Foxmeister]

As a public school teacher, I really don't want the added responsibility of worrying about what kids post online from home. I have enough to do.

The principal here mentioned recently a conversation he had with some parents who were upset about how another boy was bullying their son online. The principal suggested that they call the bully's parents. Their response? "Oh no, we couldn't do that." They wanted the principal to do something, but wouldn't actually take a stand themselves for their own son.

That is where laws like this come from, that and politicians who want to be seen to be doing something. It's not a power grab, but it will easily set the stage for one if we the people let it pass.

How is that kid ever going to learn to stand up for himself if his parents won't? His parents are weak. I'll bet you they're the kind of people that wouldn't do or say anything if they saw Billy who lives down the street stealing Bobby's bike from the house across the street; claiming it's none of their business. However, if their son's bike was stolen, they'd be ticked off if they found out Bobby's parents watched and did nothing as Billy took off with it. They'd probably call Bobby's parents lousy neighbors.

I remember when I was in school, if Bobby started a fight with Billy and Billy fought back, Bobby would be suspended and Billy would be sent back to class. Today, our schools are teaching our kids they don't have the right to defend themselves from bullys.