Let's Help Florida...
Internet Safety Educator
2 Comments
Debbie Johnston has been on a crusade. Her son, Jeffrey, committed suicide in 2005 following prolonged harassment, including cyber bullying that contained vicious online comments("jeff is a fagget [sic]. he needs to die")
Debbie, a teacher, has been relentless in trying to make schools in Florida, safer. Florida HB 575, also known as "Jeffrey Johnston Stand Up for All Students Act", sponsored by Nick Thompson, said "it sets standards so we do not have tragic situations that occur in the future.”
The bill, versions of which were passed by both chambers last year, would require school systems to set up anti-bullying policies and give them more authority to intervene in situations in which the bullying occurs off school grounds, an issue paramount to cyber bullying. The bill passed in the House, 110-to-1 and was sent to the Senate April 24th.
Chairman Senator Stephen Wise argued last week, the law was unnecessary. With more than an hour still available, Wise adjourned the meeting.
Committee members, reportedly, debated other issues, including a measure to suspend public school students whose pants hang too low!!!
Students in attendance, were unhappy that the committee adjourned early and spent more than 10 minutes talking about suspending students for up to 10 days if their underwear shows.
According to Ms. Johnston, Senator Wise has been receiving various threatening emails towards him and his family-something that goes against the very gist of this particular bill.
(For more information on the bill itself, visit Legislation Buzz
Let's help Debbie get this very important bill passed. Time is running out.
Please visit the Jeffrey Johnston website to find out how you can help.
Reader Comments (2)
What a tragic story. I can't help but feel for Jeffrey Johnson's mom. It is sad how children today seem to feel they have no way out. Killing themselves or others is a horrible out, for everyone. I do wonder though; if "laws" are the first good line of defense. It seems to me that if we can find a way to teach the victimized children how to cope with the difficulties we can influence their choices, therefore their actions and their outcomes. I agree that the cyber bullying must stop and we need to find ways to proctect our kids from all types of harassment. But, it feels too big, trying to influence everyone else's behavior before we influence the victims behavior.
I would like to see more options to assist kids who go through this with support. Let's spend the time and money on designing programs that empower victims of this type of harassment, programs the helps victims handle the difficult situation they are in. Power is liberating, it gives people control. If we can change the way the victimized young people of today feel about their situation and give them tools to handle it we can give them hope. If we give them hope, their actions will be far less dire to themselves or others. Do this, then attack the laws, the other way seems to long and leaves the door open for more victims until everyone else changes their behavior.
My deepest condolences to Jeffery's family!
Hi Antman,
Thank you for your comment and insight.
Regarding cyber bullying, in my experience in working with hundreds of children every week, the first step is to educate and inform. I personally, have done this for two years. Parents and teachers need to be educated and made aware as well,
I personally, have done all those things, with children, teachers and parents. But that is not enough. Many times, there are no consequences. Many times, there is no follow-thru. There needs to be consequences for those who bully or cyber bully, just as there needs to be consequences for other actions.
I have spent many months working on an anti-cyber bullying policy for my District. If approved, I want to push it forward to the entire Region, and hopefully beyond. I am extremely passionate about Internet Safety issues and concerns and especially cyber bullying.
Cyber bullying is a very large problem--several countries are trying to cope with this as well. And it is not only effecting children, teachers and adminstrators are becomming targets as well.
Although creating new laws may not always be the answer, in the case of cyber bullying, anti cyber bulling campaigns should be MANDATED in every single state in our Union.
Have a great day!!