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10/26/2022
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Rep. O’Brien to introduce parent accountability for cyberbullying bill next session
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STATE HOUSE – Rep. William W. O’Brien (D-Dist. 54, North Providence) will be introducing legislation in January that will hold parents accountable if their children’s cyberbullying results in the death of another child.
The legislation would make it a felony if parents demonstrate a willing or wanton disregard to supervise their child who has committed cyberbullying or stalking which results in the victim’s death.
“With rates of teen suicide and suicide attempts skyrocketing, all too often, cyberbullying is the cause of these tragic outcomes. If death results from a parent or guardian being so willingly neglectful of their parental duties that their children are torturing another child through the phone or computer, then these individuals must be held accountable,” said Representative O’Brien.
Representative O’Brien introduced a similar bill last legislation session (2022-H 7567) that allowed for parents and guardians to be held civilly liable for demonstrating willful or wanton disregard for the parent's duty to supervise their child who has committed the offense of cyberstalking or cyberharassment.
“If a child is driven to suicide or death due to cyberbullying, a civil action is not enough and real accountability and justice is needed. Real consequences must be established for the worst kinds of cyberbullying and this legislation will do just that,” concluded Representative O’Brien.
For more information, contact:
Andrew Caruolo, Publicist
State House Room 20
Providence, RI 02903
(401)222-6124
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