Cyber Bullying in Singapore (Essay Sample)

Cyber bullying in Singapore
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02nd October, 2014
Over the past decade or so, the number of teen suicides that were results of online intimidation, gossips, and insensitive communications has gained national attention to the aspect of the people’s use of technology and internet to apparently bully others. The first thing that occurs in the mind when this topic is thought of would be "What exactly does this cyberbullying mean?" Actually, this question remains to be the main focus of numerous debates, if not a disagreement that at least either of the sides makes. When ordinary bullying of an individual is considered, descriptions of verbal intimidation and real physical harassment may be reminded about. However, as cyberbullying denotes some sort of internet technology or communication technology, either by using the Internet or mobile phones—it is nothing less than regular bullying as it essentially cannot comprise of any sort of physical abuse. Yet, that does not mean that cyberbullying result in physical abuse.
The uniqueness of cyberbullying has given rise to numerous state legislatures enacting criminal legislation that prohibit cyberbullying. A few such States to have introduced this kind of legislation include New York, Missouri, Rhode Island, Maryland, and California among others CITATION Sam141 \l 16393 (Hatchin, 2014). Congress has also introduced a similar bill in the House that is yet to be passed for hearings of the sub-committee. The delay is because of the controversy that surrounds it CITATION The101 \l 16393 (The Forensics Files, 2010).
Cyberbullying is an extensively popular issue, especially among teens.  53% of teens agree they have mentioned offensive things to other online users. This 53% is approximately 21,200,000 teenagers. Out of this roughly about 1/3, or above 7,000,000 teenagers have also agreed doing the same repeatedly, thus resulted in cyber-bullying CITATION Wol12 \l 16393 (Wolf44, 2012). Cyber-bullying starts at a very young age. According to a particular survey, more than 50% of 4th graders use hurtful language against other online, with close to 70% of 8th graders saying doing the same. As cyberbullying is a serious problem in the contemporary society, it certainly needs to be made into a punishable offence.
As already stated earlier, cyberbullying has resulting in many youngsters committing suicide. Besides, cyberbullying also would result in many psychological disorders in teens, while also preventing a positive learning environment on the internet, thus depriving children of a plethora of learning opportunities.
Singapore is actually one of the first nations to have legalized cyberbullying by enacting numerous laws that offer protection against cyberbullying. Protection from Harassment Bill is one such law that was introduced in the Parliament to this effect CITATION Out14 \l 16393 (Out-Law.com, 2014). According to the Deputy Prime Minister and Home Affairs of the Singapore Government, Mr. Teo Chee Hean, the government of Singapore is contemplating if cyberbullying needs to be embattled more overtly. He said that his ministry is working closely with the Singapore Ministry of Law and also the Information, Communications and the Arts Ministry to assess other criminal laws that were formerly prior to the advent of the Internet era, in order to make sure that detrimental deed committed via electronic media can equally be punishable like in the cases of criminal wrongdoings CITATION Cha141 \l 16393 (ChannelNewsAsia, 2014).
The new bill that has been presented in the Singapore Parliament would make it unlawful to trail someone, either on the internet or in the physical world. Such a wrongdoing would result in the perpetrator being fined up to SGD5, 000, which is approximately equal to USD4, 000, or imprisonment for a period of minimum 12 months or even both depending on the extent of the offence CITATION Cha142 \l 16393 (Channel News Asia, 2014).
The applications for enactment of such laws would also fortify the existing laws in relation to crimes of harassment and intimidation or goading of violence, by applying similar standards of what institutes provocation in the physical world as an offence even if committed online through the use of electronic media. "Convicted offenders could face a fine of SGD5, 000 ($4,000) or up to six months in jail or both. Repeat offenders would face enhanced penalties CITATION Cha142 \l 16393 (Channel News Asia, 2014).”
Mr. Teo feels that, in view of the viral pace at which belligerent material can spread online, the Singapore government is also considering the fact whether to legally offer an extensive range of judicial rulings to provide targets respite much ahead of the criminal proceedings coming to an end. Furthermore to the criminal sanctions, a sufferer of cyber bullying might also get a civil sanction from the Court to detain the culprit CITATION Cha141 \l 16393 (ChannelNewsAsia, 2014).
According to the Singapore Law Ministry, deeds of harassment committed outside Singapore would also be considered as an offence in a few situations. For instance, if a criminal who stays abroad commits deeds that tantamount to pestering or persecution against a person, who is an acquaintance of the offender, and is present in Singapore during the occurrence of the crime, then all legislation related to stalking would be applicable against the offender, and he is punishable under the laws of Singapore. The existing law that protects public servants from harassment encountered when exercising their duties would also be extended under the proposals to include essential public service workers such as health care workers and public transport workers.
The various efforts that are being made by the government of Singapore for curbing cyberbullying signify one of the earli...