Symposium: Cyberbullying: Emerging Realities and Legal Challenges: Foreword

Bullying and its effects concern many of us in the United States. As many as thirty percent of students in grades five through ten have experienced at least one bullying incident in a given year.] Studies further show that up to thirty-five percent of students have been the victims of cyberbullying - i.e., the use of online mediums to bully others. Most observers agree that this number is likely to rise. Such bullying physically and psychologically affects students.

It can disrupt their education and cause depression, anxiety, self-harm, suicidal thoughts, and suicide attempts. After several highly publicized suicides, there appears to be a national consensus that society can no longer ignore bullying and cyberbullying.