Emily Lampa, Your Kids

Cyberbullying continues to make headlines as more and more children come forward to report online harassment. But the law is still playing catchup with new problems caused by technology.

News 13's Emily Lampa explains what schools are doing to protect children in the meantime.

A recent online study says one out of two children are the target of cyberbullying.  But unlike regular bullying, the school may not be able to do anything about it.

"The problem with cyberbullying is, if it's all happening off campus and not out on the school grounds, you have more limitations and you have to think more carefully about if there is enough impact on the school to justify a school intervention," said Tom Hutton, an attorney for the National School Boards Association

Cyberbullying is when a child under the age of 18 is harassed or humiliated by another child or teenager using the Internet or other types of technology, such as mobile phones.

There are first amendment barriers --- such as freedom of speech --- that keep a school from disciplining a student for cyberbullying, especially if the school cannot explain how the harrassment on a home computer affects the school or endangers students.

So, when can the school intervene?

"I think courts will have to work out over time how much of an impact is enough, but particularly, if a student is not performing well at school, is that one student's anguish in the eyes of the court, enough of an impact to justify a school trying to do something about it," Hutton said.

But for now, experts say the bulk of the responsibility rests on parents.

"Very often, parents have no idea what their kids are doing online, and when you tell them, the parent could be your best ally," Hutton said.

Experts recommend that you carefully monitor your kids' online activity, and if your child is bullied online, contact the Web site.

Most social networking sites forbid cyberbullying on their platforms and will take down those pages if you bring it to their attention.

To see more Your Kids stories, go to News 13 On Demand, Digital Cable Channel 313.

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