Why should house bill entitled "An Act of Defining and Penalizing the Crime of Cyberbullying" otherwise known as the Anti-Cyberbullying Act of 2015 be published?

All thanks to the innovations that these past decades have brought to us, we are now living far way differently from that of the past. These innovations have made a lot of improvements in our way of living, and also caused a great progress on our technology.

The onset of this particular advancement empowered people around the globe with such power to gather information about almost everything under the sun with just a few clicks, and virtual connection with everyone in the internet with anonymity, if the user would prefer.

But, nowadays, a lot of "netizens"--a term used to describe members of the internet--are clearly using these privileges irresponsibly, committing different acts of cruelty intended to harm or inflict fear to their fellow users. Hence, leading to the birth of cyberbullying.

Being one of our society's modern "evils", bullying have already affected countless lives ever since, and now that it has took another form, it just made it more widespread, in addition to the traditional forms.

Cyberbullying can happen to anybody in anytime for it has a lot of mediums to where it can occur. Once contents are shared, its eradication will be hard for it will circulate nonstop, leaving poor victims enduring without nothing to do.

Therefore, in order to protect internet users, the Anti-Cyberbullying Act of 2015 should indeed be passed.

This act is necessary as it will serve as a measure to defend the rights of every members of the online community against offensive, rude, and insulting acts that may affect one's well-being.

Through this, people would be encouraged to become accountable for their cyber-actions. The rules and regulations written in the act can serve as their to-do and no-to-do guide on using the internet.

Also, the penalization of those who'll be found guilty will serve justice to those who seek. The act would be a great help to finally find and punish those who have been so reckless--those who have ruined lives due to their doings. 

The approval and implementation of House Bill 5718 which aims to define and penalize the crime of cyberbullying would surely aid in our battle against bullying and all the destructive aftermaths that it brings. And along with our individual efforts, I believe that we will be able to put an end to this.

Camarines Sur Representative Rolando Andaya
Author of House Bill 5718

READ: 

http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2015/05/27/1459305/anti-cyber-bullying-act-2015-pushed

http://technology.inquirer.net/42356/cyber-bullying-via-social-media-seen-as-crime

WEEK 1.

Situation 1:

Carl began receiving hostile messages from an address he didn't recognize. He suspected the emails were from someone he knew because they criticized his hairstyle and clothes he wore to school. Carl decided not to tell his parents about the problem because he thought his parents might restrict his internet privileges as a result.

Discuss how well you think the person handled cyberbullying and how you might have handled it differently.

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Putting one's interests first above his own safety sounds too imprudent and absurd, I must say.

Just the thought of having someone who constantly sends hate messages to you is already disturbing, and the fact that this nameless person seems to be knowing a lot about you adds up to the horror.

In my opinion, Carl is absolutely mistaken about the decision that he'd made, and I think anyone who would have read his case would surely tell the same thing.

If I were him, I would exactly do the opposite of what he did. I would immediately tell my parents about the situation for they are more capable of finding a solution. Yes, they may not resolve the problem directly, but I know that they would have their ways and more than anyone else, I'm sure that they would do all that they can to help me.

Instead of fearing the limitations that my parents might set once they learn about my situation--which is so irrational by the way, isn't it more appropriate for me to fear the person who's anonymously hiding behind the screen and the harm and danger that he might inflict?

Although it is still just a series of messages yet, I won't be waiting for something worse to occur. I won't be risking myself, that's why I would do what I think is right, and I believe that this will be the best choice.