How does the juvenile justice system respond to cases of cyberbullying and sexting?

In Washington, juvenile cases involving cyberbullying and sexting are handled on a case by case basis. Generally speaking, however, the goal of the juvenile justice system is to respond in a manner that holdsthe juvenile accountable for their behavior while also providing education and rehabilitation. First and foremost, when responding to cases of cyberbullying and sexting, the juvenile justice system will take into account the age of the individual, the circumstances of the case, and any prior criminal history. Factors such as the severity of the cyberbullying, the age of the victim, the perception of the electronic communication(s) by the victim, and the intent of the offender will be taken into account when determining how best to respond. Depending on the situation, a juvenile found guilty of cyberbullying or sexting may face consequences ranging from attending counseling and/or anger management classes, to community service, to potential probation or detention. Additionally, a variety of informal interventions, such as parent/child and/or school-based mediation, may be employed in order to facilitate discussion and a resolution to the problem. In more serious cases, the juvenile justice system may refer the juvenile to a juvenile detention center if deemed necessary. However, the juvenile court may opt for other punishments, such as requiring the juvenile to participate in electronic monitoring or intensive supervision. Ultimately, the goal of the juvenile justice system is to provide the appropriate response to cases of cyberbullying and sexting in an effort to rehabilitate the juvenile and ensure that similar offenses are not committed in the future.

How does the juvenile justice system respond to cases of cyberbullying and sexting?

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