Research Article

Cyberbullying and Criminal Law

Volume: 77 Number: 1 June 19, 2019
  • Gulsah Bostanci Bozbayindir *
TR EN

Cyberbullying and Criminal Law

Abstract

As a result of the rapid growth and availability of information and communication technology (ICT) traditional bullying and harassment activities have started to appear on the internet. Current forms of cyberbullying and cyberharassment are a cause of great concern with respect to children’s safety and well-being. Cyberbullying lacks a universally accepted definition, namely there is no consensus on a single definition of cyberbullying - which is, after all, generally understood as bullying occurring on the internet - determined at an international or European level. However, in this study we have identified the distinctive features of cyberbullying, that is, the high degree of anonymity, power imbalance between the offencer and the victim, potentially public nature of cyberbullying and defencelessness of the victim, and the high probablity of repetition with anonymity being one of the unique features of cyberbullying. We shall analyse all these elements of cyberbullying, respectively. After this conceptual analysis, we shall assess the approaches and solutions that have been adopted towards cyberbullying in a comparative manner. Finally, we will address the question of whether acts of cyberbulllying should be criminalized and we will discuss the employability of options other than criminal law. 

Keywords

References

  1. Agate J. and Ledward J, ‘Social Media: How The Net is Closing in on Cyberbullies’ (24) 8 (2013) Ent. L.R. 263–268.
  2. Ambos K, ‘The Overall Function of International Criminal Law: Striking the Right Balance Between the Rechtsgut and the Harm Principles’, (2015) 9(2) Criminal Law and Philosophy, 301-329.
  3. Betts L R., Cyberbullying, Approaches, Consequences and Interventions (Palgrave 2016)
  4. Bostancı Bozbayındır G., Introduction to Law (Anadolu University 2017)
  5. Bychawska-Siniarska D., Protecting The Right To Freedom Of Expression Under The European Convention On Human Rights, (2017 Council of Europe)
  6. Campbell M. and Zavrsnik A, Cyberbullying Through The New Media (Psychology Press 2013)
  7. Connor T. P. and Scott J., Integrating Traditional Bullying and Cyberbullying: Challenges of Definition and Measurement in Adolescents, (27) Education Psychology Review 135-152.
  8. Cornelius K., ‘Plaedoyer für einen Cybermobbing-Straftatbestand’ (2014) ZRP 164-167.

Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

-

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Gulsah Bostanci Bozbayindir * This is me
0000-0003-0602-2713
Türkiye

Publication Date

June 19, 2019

Submission Date

February 8, 2019

Acceptance Date

June 28, 2019

Published in Issue

Year 2019 Volume: 77 Number: 1

APA
Bostanci Bozbayindir, G. (2019). Cyberbullying and Criminal Law. İstanbul Hukuk Mecmuası, 77(1), 425-450. https://izlik.org/JA35XR54LM
AMA
1.Bostanci Bozbayindir G. Cyberbullying and Criminal Law. İstanbul Hukuk Mecmuası. 2019;77(1):425-450. https://izlik.org/JA35XR54LM
Chicago
Bostanci Bozbayindir, Gulsah. 2019. “Cyberbullying and Criminal Law”. İstanbul Hukuk Mecmuası 77 (1): 425-50. https://izlik.org/JA35XR54LM.
EndNote
Bostanci Bozbayindir G (June 1, 2019) Cyberbullying and Criminal Law. İstanbul Hukuk Mecmuası 77 1 425–450.
IEEE
[1]G. Bostanci Bozbayindir, “Cyberbullying and Criminal Law”, İstanbul Hukuk Mecmuası, vol. 77, no. 1, pp. 425–450, June 2019, [Online]. Available: https://izlik.org/JA35XR54LM
ISNAD
Bostanci Bozbayindir, Gulsah. “Cyberbullying and Criminal Law”. İstanbul Hukuk Mecmuası 77/1 (June 1, 2019): 425-450. https://izlik.org/JA35XR54LM.
JAMA
1.Bostanci Bozbayindir G. Cyberbullying and Criminal Law. İstanbul Hukuk Mecmuası. 2019;77:425–450.
MLA
Bostanci Bozbayindir, Gulsah. “Cyberbullying and Criminal Law”. İstanbul Hukuk Mecmuası, vol. 77, no. 1, June 2019, pp. 425-50, https://izlik.org/JA35XR54LM.
Vancouver
1.Gulsah Bostanci Bozbayindir. Cyberbullying and Criminal Law. İstanbul Hukuk Mecmuası [Internet]. 2019 Jun. 1;77(1):425-50. Available from: https://izlik.org/JA35XR54LM