Teen Cyberbullying Investigated : Where Do Your Rights End and Consequences Begin?

Teen Cyberbullying Investigated : Where Do Your Rights End and Consequences Begin? Thomas A. Jacobs. Free Spirit Publications; C2010.

"Bullying has entered the digital age. with the click of a button, or touch of a screen, a photo, video or a conversation can be shared with a few people in an email or text... or broadcast to millions on a website Jacobs, 2010, p2)."

Basic Description:

This book provides an in- depth analysis and discussion of the current cyber- bullying trend among school age children. The book features real court cases about tweens and teens that were bullied via technological means.  Bullying is now done online, through social networking sites, with digital cameras, text messages, IM, and cell- phone. Most often these are just harmless pranks, but sometimes these acts result in serious emotional and physical harm. This book wants you to know what’s happening to your peers. You will learn your legal rights on the Internet and how to use these technological devices to your benefit.

 

Review:

This title explores the hot topic of online teen bullying, by both teens and by adults. The author is a former judge and he highlights recent notable court cases in an informal and interactive style. Each chapter discusses one case in detail and brings up both the rights of the victim and those of the perpetrator(s). Readers will come away with a good feel for why it is important to know what these cases are about, and how they might relate to them personally. He frequently asks readers to ask himself or herself questions bout each case, such as, "How does this decision affect you?" and "How would you decide this case?" He explains "The bottom line," and suggests additional "Things to think about." And for tweens and teens interested in doing their own research, each chapter includes a bibliography of articles and Web sites and interactive questions sure to spark more discussion. Tweens will come away from this book aware of the repercussions for their actions and they will understand the level of damage that online taunting and harassment can cause.

 

Genre:

Non- Fiction

Reading Level:

Grades 6 and Up