Cyberbullying by young people: A criminal matter for psychologists?

Abstract

Cyber bullying, as a misuse of technology to harass, intimidate, tease, threaten, abuse or otherwise terrorise will be discussed in terms of its criminal legal ramifications in Australia for young people. In extreme instances, cyber bullying can constitute criminal conduct on the part of the perpetrator, especially when the behaviour is seriously threatening, harassing or intimidating. Whilst criminal sanctions might seem an extreme response, it is not inappropriate for all stakeholders – young persons, parents, schools, education authorities and psychologists – to be aware of the potential for criminal liability, especially when the consequences of the cyber bullying conduct are serious for the target and/or where there is simply no other basis on which the conduct might be impeached, occurring as it frequently does beyond temporal and physical school boundaries. This paper considers prevention and intervention strategies for cyber bullying from a criminal legal point of view.