New York lawmakers approve panel to study cyberbullying
Originally published in
NY State of Politics
New York state lawmakers on Wednesday gave final passage to a bill creating a nine-member commission to address cyberbullying in the state.
The bill, approved in the state Senate, has previously passed in the Assembly and now goes to Gov. Andrew Cuomo's desk for his approval.
“Cyberbullying is a serious issue across our State — and we need a plan to stop it,” said Sen. Todd Kaminsky in a statement. “My bill will not only create a task force to study this menace to our teens, but will also help foster solutions to help end this crisis, which has plagued far too many individuals of all ages across Long Island and the State as a whole.”
The task force is set to include experts in child psychology, technology, mental health, law enforcement and social services. A report will be released to policymakers in New York by July 1, 2023.
A 2020 study by the Cyberbullying Research Center found one in five kids between the ages of 9 and 12 have been victims of cyberbullying.
“The scourge of cyberbullying knows no geographic, ethnic, racial, religious, social or political boundaries and its devastating impact on young people has only increased, particularly during the pandemic as everyone spent more time online,” said Assemblywoman Didi Barrett in a statement.