Legislative Response to Cyber Aggression: Federal and State-Local Policy Reform

Background

With nearly half (49%) of the world online (Pew Research Center, 2017) more people are susceptible to cyber aggression as criminals use technology to cyber stalk, harass, and bully. This is not surprising since obtaining electronics for criminal intent is easy. Most anyone can purchase a computer, multifunctional cell phone device and supporting software; and access to the World Wide Web is becoming less costly and free in some places. The traditional “physical” stalking, harassment, and bullying behaviors now have a digital counterpart. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (2015) reports cyber aggression as an “emergent concern,” and not limited to “sending threatening texts, posting or distributing defamatory or harassing messages, and uploading or distributing hateful or demeaning images or videos intended to harm another” (USDHHS, 2015). Concerned about cybercrime, some Americans are taking counter measures to confront the unfriendly digital climate. A 2013 Pew Internet & American Life Project survey found as many as 55% of respondents reported avoiding online observation by people, employers, government, organizations, and other; while 86% of adult Internet users have taken measures to promote anonymity, privacy, and security online. To avoid surveillance, online safety behaviors range from masking personal information, clearing search histories, to using a public computer instead of personal home computer (Pew Internet & American Life Project, 2013).