State Senate Could Address Cyber-Bullying

By Laura Weber

Some lawmakers at the state Capitol say they would like to work in 2012 to provide some legal protections to K-12 students from cyber-bullying.

Senate Minority Leader Gretchen Whitmer says the Legislature should approve a measure that would require all school districts to prohibit bullying via home computers and personal cell phones. She says bullying on the internet is a fast-growing problem.

"We've seen some cases nationwide that just turn your stomach about what kids, but also what parents, what affected adults will do in order to torment a student, and we've got to take action to update our laws," she says.

Governor Rick Snyder said when he signed the state's new anti-bullying law that he would like the Legislature to also look into more protections against cyber bullying. Republican lawmakers say they would like to make sure all kids are protected all the time, but regulating what kids do at home could be tricky.

Senate Majority Leader Randy Richardville says he wants to address the issue of cyber-bullying. But he says it is difficult to regulate what kids do at home.  

"You're trying to address every possible instance and protect every child possible, and that's very difficult to do," he says. "We're trying to clarify it the best we can, we have some legal people and experts looking at it. So it won't be easy to get done because it's so complex and there are so many different opportunities, but we're certainly going to address it."