The mission of David’s Legacy Foundation is to eliminate cyber and other bullying, of children and teens, through education, legislation, and legal action.
GET LEGAL SUPPORT WITH THE DON’T BULLY ME PROJECT
The Don’t Bully Me (DBM) Project is working to bridge the gap that exists between those who are victims of bullying, parents, schools, teachers and the rest of the community with the goal of putting an end to bullying. The DBM Project aims to focus on providing legal services to resolve – through court order or other legal remedies – situations where serious incidents of repeated physical, social, and/or verbal bullying is occurring.
Educate today with a speaker on cyberbullying
Much of what is happening today lies in a lack of understanding of what cyberbullying is and how much pressure it puts on kids. That’s where we can help you. You can book a speaker through this website to speak at your school about the dangers of cyberbullying and educate your students on David’s Law. Our presenters will educate students and staff on what cyberbullying is, what the laws are, and how you can help protect yourself and other students from being victims.
CYBERBULLYING
Children, Tweens, and Teens
Cyberbullying is the use of digital devices (cell phones, gaming consoles, computers, or tablets) to send, post, or share threatening, mean, intentionally embarrassing, or false information to someone either privately (one-to-one through text or messaging app) or publicly (social media, forums, gaming) online.
Key elements to consider
- Intention: The behavior is deliberate, not by accident
- Impact: The victim is harmed (afraid to go to school, depressed, anxious, fearful, etc.)
- Repeated: Bullying often occurs more than once, can be a single significant act, or combined with in-person bullying
- Power Imbalance: The perpetrator has more followers or is more popular, victim unable to reach into the screen and make it stop, or anonymity (the victim cannot identify the perpetrator)
Types of Cyberbullying
Suicide Baiting
Trolling
Catfishing
Impersonation
Doxing
Harassment
Flaming
Photoshopped Pictures
Cyberstalking
Outing
Spilling the Tea
Exclusion
Unique Characteristics
- Public
- Permanent
- Persistent (24/7)
- Easily spread
- Cyber-mob
- Frequently spread from one-platform to another
- Hard to recognize
* Most states have laws requiring schools to respond to cyberbullying and may also have criminal statutes that apply when cyberbullying and harassment intersect.
Impact on the Victim
- Psychological: Increased emotional distress, depression, anxiety, PTSD, low self-esteem, suicidal ideation and attempts, indulging in harmful habits, substance use (illegal and prescription drugs, alcohol, smoking or vaping)
- Physical: Sleeping disturbance, eating disorders, stress-induced ailments
- Academic: Lower attendance, lack of attention, drop in grades, lack of interest in EC activities, change in friendships
LATEST NEWS
Sen. Ted Cruz pays visit to San Antonio to address Kids Online Safety Act
SAN ANTONIO – U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz was in San Antonio on Thursday to discuss the importance of Congress passing the Kids Online Safety Act. The bill, which sets out requirements to protect minors from online harms, was approved two weeks ago by the Senate Commerce Committee. Cruz is a ranking member of the committee. Cruz held a news conference with three parents whose children committed suicide due to cyberbullying. Read HereREAD MORE
Follow Cruz’s urgency, support Kids Online Safety Act
Parents and government officials have crossed political lines to join together to fight against online attacks aimed at children. U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, who was in San Antonio for a Chamber of Commerce luncheon Thursday, said it’s urgent to get the Kids Online Safety Act before President Joe Biden. The KOSA legislation, introduced by Sens. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., and Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., would require tech and social media companies to default to the most stringent privacy and safety settings, rather than having youth and parents navigate often complicated platforms. “I’m confident we’re going to pass this on the Senate floor. We’re going to pass it on the House (floor). And it’s going to be signed into law,” Cruz said. “I’m not going to suggest to you that KOSA is going to solve everything; we’re going to have a lot more work to do protecting our kids. … But it is a serious and meaningful step forward.” Read HereREAD MORE
Sen. Ted Cruz joins parents in San Antonio to mark progress of Kids Online Safety Act
Sen. Ted Cruz met with with parents of children who died by suicide after they experienced online bullying and harassment. He stood with them at a press conference on Thursday to discuss the progress of the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA). The legislation, which has bipartisan support, says that its proponents say will help keep children safe online by giving parents more tools to monitor and control children’s online activity and by imposing a legal duty of care on social media companies to take steps to protect kids online. It was unanimously voted out of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation in late July, putting it one step closer to a full Senate vote. Cruz chairs the committee and supports the bill. Read HereREAD MORE
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