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Other countries have taken electronic bullying quite seriously and have taken the lead in combating this growing problem. A few American states have passed legislation specifically addressing electronic bullying.  Several other states are considering similar legislation. 

I spent many months last year writing an anti-cyberbullying policy for my school district last year which included off-campus bullying.  The policy STILL has not been approved. almost a year later!  I was hoping to push this policy to my entire region and then to the state of Illinois. 

I am disappointed nothing has transpired over these many months.

South Carolina: In 2006, "The Safe School Climate Act", required school districts to adopt policies to "prohibit harassment, intimidation or bullying at school."

Idaho: In 2006, schools can temporarily suspend students for disrupting school by bullying or harassing other students, including the use of telephones and computers.

Iowa: The 2007 bill includes electronic communication requiring schools to create policies prohibiting harassment and bullying.  This law does not include off-campus bullying.

Minnesota: Schools are required to create written policies "prohibiting intimidation and bullying of any student," including the use of the Internet.

New Jersey: Electronic communication was added to New Jersey's legislation. The law refers to bullying in schools, but new state guidelines say school administrators "may impose consequences for acts of harassment, intimidation or bullying that occur off school grounds, such as cyberbullying," when those acts substantially disrupt school.

Oregon: In 2007, school districts were required to develop anti-bullying policies, establish procedures to report such behavior, and provide an outline of consequences. The law defines bullying as any act that "substantially interferes" with a student's education and takes place "on or immediately adjacent to school grounds" or at school-sponsored activities.

Washington: In 2007, electronic harassment was added to existing laws to school district harassment prevention policies. 

In my opinion, adding electronic bullying to existing bills, legislations and polices is a good first step, but the majority of cyberbullying occurs OFF-campus.  So what can schools do when an act occurs somewhere other than school?  

Off-campus behavior appears to be on shaky legal grounds.  Based on a Supreme Court decision, the key to including off-campus cyberbullying to school policies is to include the verbiage "substantial disruption",