It seems you can't open up the newspaper or your favorite web browser without seeing a story about teens and cyberbullying. In New Jersey, Adriana Kuch took her own life after a video was shared of her being assaulted. A recent Pew Research Center study found the majority of teens have been the victim of cyberbullying at some point. And in Florida, the friends of McKenna Brown, who also committed suicide after being bullied online, are actively lobbying the state for harsher cyberbullying penalties.

Most would agree that the rise of social media has made it easier for teens to bully their peers with few consequences. In response, many states have passed new laws to protect victims. Pennsylvania is no different. Schools have released anti-bullying policies across the state with stiff consequences, including expulsion. The legislature also passed Act 26 in 2015, which makes the cyber harassment of a minor, including “disparaging statement or opinion about the child's physical characteristics, sexuality, sexual activity, or mental or physical health or condition” or a “threat to inflict harm,” a crime punishable by fine and/or one year in prison.

So, what should you do if your teen has been accused of cyberbullying?

Protect Your Teen's Future

It's all too easy to say kids will be kids – or that your teen didn't realize what they were doing when they sent one of their peers certain messages. However, the state takes cyberbullying very seriously. While some may think they can explain away the issue – or maybe just ignore it altogether – that is the wrong approach to take. Reaching out to the alleged victim's family or trying to deal directly with the school may also work against you. These are cases that need the guidance of an experienced and knowledgeable criminal defense attorney.

With the rise of cyberbullying and cyber harassment cases nationwide – and the continued calls for harsher penalties – you need to make sure you have trusted counsel to guide you. The LLF Criminal Defense Team is well-versed in criminal defense for cyberbullying and cyber harassment cases.

As soon as an allegation of cyberbullying or cyber harassment has been made, you should engage counsel. The Pennsylvania Criminal Defense Team will explain each step of the investigative and judicial process. They will help you gather evidence, explain mitigating circumstances, and mount an effective defense to help ensure the best possible outcome for your teen's case. And they will make sure your child's rights are protected every step of the way.

The LLF Law Firm understands that there are two sides to every story. They also know that sometimes teens act without thinking – one mistake shouldn't cloud the rest of their future. To learn more about defending your teen against cyberbullying allegations, call the LLF Law Firm today at (888) 535-3686 or contact us online to discuss your case.