St. Louis Public Radio News
(2008-02-19)
JEFFERSON CITY, MO
(St. Louis Public Radio) -
The Missouri Senate gave preliminary approval Tuesday to a bill that would update the definition of bullying used by schools to include cyber-bullying and the use of electronic devices.The bill's sponsor, State Senator Yvonne Wilson (D, Kansas City), said the growing use of computers and text messaging makes it necessary to expand the definition of bullying.
"A number of states have already introduced cyber-bullying bills. There are nine states; we could become the 10th, because it's on the rise across the nation," Wilson said.
The move comes in the wake of news reports about 13-year-old Megan Meier of St. Charles County, who committed suicide in 2006 after being teased online.
"Cyber-bullying is on the move in terms of its growth in the number of young people who are involved in bullying, on MySpace in particular, on the computer, telephones, all kinds of electronic equipment," Wilson said.
A Senate vote on the bill will be held at a later date. © Copyright 2012, St. Louis Public Radio
