Cyberviolence refers to acts of harassment, threats, and intimidation using the internet, social media or other electronic devices/platforms. It impacts people emotionally, mentally, and physically – all of which can lead people to lash out or hurt themselves and others around them. Cyberviolence includes cyberbullying, cyberstalking and cybersex trafficking.
For Bullying Prevention Month and Domestic Violence Awareness Month, WISE is compiling resources to help create awareness about cyberviolence and share steps we can take to prevent online violence. Our resources are meant to be shared on social media platforms as a part of this month’s #BullyingPrevention and #DomesticViolenceAwareness campaign.
Minnesota Laws on Cyberviolence
Section 609.79 Obscene or Harassing Phone Calls and Messages: states that it is illegal to make obscene, lewd, or threatening phone calls to any person over the phone.
“Call” refers to “the use of any method of communication including, but not limited to: telephones, facsimiles, Voice over Internet Protocols, e-mail messages, text messages, and electronic transmissions of an image or video” (Section 609.78).
Section 617.261 Nonconsensual Dissemination of Private Sexual Images (Revenge Porn Law): makes it a crime to intentionally share or distribute images of another person who is depicted in a sexual act or whose intimate parts are exposed.
Minnesota Law on School Anti-Bullying Policy requires that all schools have an anti-bullying policy, which includes in-person and online bullying.
Cancel Culture
Cyberbullying
Cyberstalking