Are there any laws related to online harassment and bullying?

Yes, there are laws related to online harassment and bullying in California. These legal protections were created to protect individuals from cyberbullying, cyberstalking, and other forms of online abuse. In California, it is illegal to use electronic communication to make a threat, which includes verbal threats made online. According to the California Penal Code, any verbal statement made in a “true threat” is illegal, and the offender can be prosecuted for the crime. A true threat is defined as “a statement made in a context or under circumstances in which a reasonable person would foresee that the statement would be interpreted as a serious expression of an intent to cause the listed harms.” Cyberstalking is also considered a form of harassment in California and is punishable by law. Cyberstalking is defined as using any electronic or digital communication, such as email, social media, or text messages, to harass, intimidate, or threaten an individual. In addition, California’s Education Code makes it a punishable offense for a student to use electronic communication to threaten, intimidate, harass, or bully another student or staff member. Online harassment and bullying is against the law in California, and offenders could face jail time and/or fines for their crimes. It is important for those who witness or experience online harassment and bullying to report the incident so that legal action can be taken.

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