• Recent Comments

  • Link Buttons

    Use these buttons to link to our site:

    cyber bullying
    cyberbullying research center
    online harassment
    Internet bullying

    • An Extreme Example of Misinterpretation

    Article posted by Justin in April 21, 2009 at 2:10 pm.
    1 Star2 Stars3 Stars4 Stars5 Stars (3 votes, average: 3.67 out of 5)
    Loading ... Loading ...

    An article was published in the Washington Post over the weekend describing one teacher’s harrowing introduction to sexting. As they are known to do, parents and prosecutors evidently jumped to some conclusions and misinterpreted the actions this teacher was taking in investigating and dealing with a case of sexting about a year ago.  As a criminologist, I am keenly aware that the Court of Public Opinion does not operate under the assumption that one is “innocent until proven guilty.” These are very difficult situations to deal with and one can easily get caught up in assuming the worst.  As the author points out: “…my experience is a warning for all educators who find themselves trying to negotiate the slippery terrain where rapidly advancing technology intersects with risky adolescent behavior.”  Interesting read but scary story…what do you think?  What could he have done differently?


    Related posts:

    1. You Received a “Sext,” Now What? Advice for Teens
    2. When Can Educators Search Student Cell Phones?
    3. Additional Thoughts on Sexting Advice for Teens
    4. Sexting – education, research, and multidisciplinary prevention and response
    5. The sexting case in Virginia, and the need to identify and share best practices

    Tags: .
    Subscribe to this blog via RSS or Email.

    • Faith paton

      When the administrator allowed te boy to send the sexual image to his own cell phone, how is he any less guilty than the boy? For whatever reason, he allowed the image to be knowingly transferred to his phone. Is being ignorant of the law a legal excuse for professionals who are put in charge of our children? It isn't for anyone else in society.The boy didn't send the original picture to himself. If I send you a picture of myself without your permission, are you guilty for looking at it or am I for sending it? Is sexting any worse than teenagers having sex? Do you think you can stop that?Anyone who can figure out how to get sex off teenagers minds will hit the mother lode with the discovery. I certainly do not know the answers and am not an expert in this field, but as a parent, these are my thoughts.

    • Michele

      One fortunate aspect about these publicized articles is that we can integrate them into cyberbullying/online behavior lessons in schools. As a school social worker, I go into classrooms and provide lessons on how to be a cybercitizen. For the 7-9th graders, this article is a useful tool that realistically demonstrates the consequences of "putting yourself out there" in cyberland or through sexting.

    • Yelraf

      It doesn't seem to me that Mr. Oei even broke any laws, since the photo described doesn't fit the definition of child pornography. I believe that's why the cases were dismissed. Those of us in Southside Virginia always hear about how progressive everything is in NOVA, but it seems that they've elected a prosecutor who doesn't know how to research the law. Ironically, this computer related case happened in the same county where AOL has it's operations center. You'd think they'd know something about CP and how to prosecute the cases.

    • http://cyberbullying.us/blog/cyberbullying_legislation_megan_meier_prevention_act.html#comments Nacho

      why would a teacher do that?that so dumb. he just wants to get in jail for no reason. in the 1970's people had a reason they did crimes now people go to jail because they do crimes for no reason.

    • Pingback: More on seizure and search of student cell phones at school... | Cyberbullying Blog

    • Pingback: The sexting case in Virginia, and the need to identify and share best practices | Cyberbullying Blog