Are you familiar with the laws concerning cyberbullying and online harassment in Central Colorado? This article will provide an overview of the regulations and laws that are in place to protect individuals from cyberbullying and online harassment. It will also discuss the role of the Colorado Division of Homeland Security & Emergency Management in addressing cybercrimes, as well as the importance of training and education in restorative justice. Additionally, it will explain the legal definition of cyberbullying and stalking, and how they are treated under Colorado law.Colorado anti-bullying laws cover off-campus conduct. According to state law, bullying is prohibited against any student for any reason, including, but not limited to, any behavior directed toward a student based on academic performance or disability, race, creed, color, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, ancestry, or need for special education services.
Colorado anti-bullying laws encourage districts to implement evidence-based bullying prevention programs by establishing a state-funded educational grant and bullying prevention program. The Department of Education is also required to create a page on its public website to make evidence-based practices and other resources available to educators and other professionals dedicated to bullying prevention and education. School districts must adopt a safe school plan after consulting with the school district and school accountability committees, parents, teachers, administrators, students, student councils (when available), and (when appropriate) with the community at large. Team members may include law enforcement officials, social workers, prosecutors, health professionals, mental health professionals, school psychologists, counselors, teachers, administrators, parents and students. Colorado anti-bullying laws do not require districts to train teachers or other school personnel on how to respond to incidents of bullying. However, Colorado law does require districts to report annually to the Department of Education the number of violations of the code of conduct and discipline, including the number of incidents of bullying and other behavior that constitute a threat of physical harm to the student or to other students. The Colorado Division of Homeland Security & Emergency Management specifically notes that cyberbullying and predatory activity are cybercrimes as much as online fraud.
Federal law requires Colorado schools that receive federal funding to address discrimination based on certain personal characteristics. Colorado state law does encourage each school district to implement training and education in the principles and practices of restorative justice as an approach to remedying crimes committed by students such as bullying.Colorado cyberbullying laws prohibit repeated and credible threats through the use of the Internet or digital media. CRS 18-9-1-111 (e) is the Colorado law that defines cyberbullying as intentional harassment of someone by phone, text message, or social media sites.
Stalking
refers to following someone in a harassing or threatening manner, and is illegal in Colorado. Federal law may not apply to repeated harassment which under Colorado law would be considered stalking.Colorado anti-bullying laws do not require districts to protect the mental health of students involved in bullying situations.
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