‘Cyber-mobbing’ — the latest web threat
January 23, 2011 by Claire KnightPosted in: In this week's e-newsletter, Internet, Latest News & Views
Have you heard of “cyber-mobbing” yet? It’s the latest web danger, and the goal is to make students do the unthinkable.
Twenty-year-old Matthew Bean was found guilty of cyber-mobbing an unnamed student in an attempt to get him to commit suicide.
Calling the crime “extremely malicious,” a district court judge has sentenced the New Jersey man to 45 days in prison for participating in an electronic mob.
Old online posts resurface
When the victim was much younger, he posted sexually explicit photos of himself online.
Eventually the pictures were posted on a pornographic website, which is where Bean found the photos. In court, Bean admitted that he:
- “worked” to identify the naked teen from the photos
- forwarded the photos to teachers, administrators and classmates at the teen’s private school in the Philadelphia area
- sent the pictures to school officials under the guise of a parent who was “concerned about such beastly behavior,” and
- was involved with a web mob that posted taunts, including “let’s make this kid want to die.”
After receiving the explicit photos, school officials contacted local and federal law enforcement, who investigated the incident and tracked down the sender.
Visit The Institute for Responsible Online and Cell-Phone Communication and Public and Permanent: The Golden Rule of the 21st Century for info on teaching students about online safety.
What does your school do to teach students about online safety and prevent student suicides? Share your strategies in the comments box below.
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January 20th, 2011 at 7:25 pm
After 23 years in juvenile court, I believe that teenagers often learn from the experiences of their peers, not just from being lectured by those in authority. Consequently, “Teen Cyberbullying Investigated” was published in 2010.
Endorsed by Dr. Phil ["Bullied to Death"], “Teen Cyberbullying Investigated” presents real cases of teens in trouble over their online and cell phone activities. Civil & criminal sanctions have been imposed on teens over their emails, blogs, text messages, Facebook and YouTube posts and more. TCI is interactive and promotes education & awareness so that our youth will begin to “Think B4 U Click.”
Thanks for looking at “Teen Cyberbullying Investigated” on http://www.freespirit.com [publisher] or on http://www.askthejudge.info [a free website for & about teens and the laws that affect them.]
Regards, -Judge Tom
January 21st, 2011 at 8:17 pm
It should have been 45 years.
January 22nd, 2011 at 6:51 am
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Cherie Post Dargan, Education Tech News. Education Tech News said: ‘Cyber-mobbing’ — the latest web threat: Have you heard of “cyber-mobbing” yet? It’s the latest web danger, and… http://bit.ly/fZ0VTL [...]
January 24th, 2011 at 1:48 am
[...] Cyber-mobbing — the latest web threat, [...]
January 24th, 2011 at 3:14 pm
Thanks for the article, bringing this issue to light.
January 25th, 2011 at 11:12 pm
[...] yet? It’s the latest web danger, and the goal is to make students do the unthinkable. More… Jan 20, [...]