Cyber Bullying

• Defamation – harm done to a person’s reputation, and slander (spoken) versus libel (written) Slander and libel are both equally damaging as they both cause humiliation and embarrassment to the victim.

• Whether a statement is seen or heard by a third party or parties It does matter, because some things are only horrible when they are spread among many parties, such as rumours and gossip. 

• Whether the identity of the target is clear If the identity of the target is not clear, then the person might be simply expressing his overall feelings toward a particular type of person, which is bad but it does not have a direct victim. On the other hand, if the target is clear, then there is a victim which would undoubtedly feel hurt and embarrassed. This would be direct bullying.

• Anonymity – does it make the perpetrator more or less responsible? By the perpetrator remaining anonymous, this shows what a coward and how irresponsible that person is. The person is still equally responsible and the fact that he/she is anonymous does not make a difference. However, this will definitely affect the feelings of the victim.

• Harassment – what does it involve? Harassment is basically when a person is made upset, disturbed or threatened by another person. It involves a wide range of offensive acts.

• Duty to provide a safe work or study environment – what roles do schools and teachers play? By providing a safe environment, only can students and workers study and work effectively and productively. It is also the rights of students and workers to be protected from any form of threats  at school or their workplace. Schools and teachers play an essential role in stopping these threats, as they are the ones in charge and have the authority to reprimand perpetrators.

• Right to freedom of expression – what limits should be placed on it? Freedom of expression is a basic human right. However, when it creates unrest and chaos among the people, that freedom should be restricted in order to maintain peace and harmony. Discriminatory topics are ones that should be curbed completely, while issues that are controversial, should be controlled as to not get out of line.

• Right to security of person – should people be protected from written or verbal attacks? I think yes. A person should have the right to be protected from all these, provided the attacks are based on false accusations. If it is the truth however, then the person should deserve it.

• Defences and confounding factors – what makes a possibly libellous statement okay? In my opinion, no libellous statement is okay or even possibly okay. Unless the person involved agrees with the person who released the libellous statement and feels that it is not offensive or provocative. 

• Truth – when the statement is accurate If the statement is the truth, then the person involved should just accept it because the person who released it has done nothing wrong, unless the statement is copyrighted and the person who released it had no rights to release it.

• Fair comment - a legitimate journalistic intent There is nothing wrong with it. The person is merely voicing out his opinion and giving feedback in a way. No offence was intended, and thus it is the person is not in the wrong.

• “The reasonable person” - how offensive does something have to be before it becomes libellous? When it has truly offended someone and has a major impact on his/her reputation and other people's impression of that person.