Harassment by computer
Encyclopedia
Harassment by computer is a crime in several U.S. states (see computer crime
). It is distinct from stalking
in that stalking typically requires two or more contacts, whereas harassment by computer may be a single incident. It is also different from regular harassment
, because the offense typically encompasses a range of crimes that would not be considered harassment if conducted in person.
Connecticut
was the first state to pass a statute making it a criminal offense to harass someone by computer. Michigan
, Arizona
, and Virginia
have also passed laws banning harassment by electronic means.
Harassment by computer statutes are typically distinct from cyberbullying laws, in that the former usually relates to a person's "use a computer or computer network to communicate obscene, vulgar, profane, lewd, lascivious, or indecent language, or make any suggestion or proposal of an obscene nature, or threaten any illegal or immoral act," while the latter need not involve anything of a sexual nature.
Computer crime
Computer crime, or cybercrime, refers to any crime that involves a computer and a network. The computer may have been used in the commission of a crime, or it may be the target. Netcrime refers to criminal exploitation of the Internet. Such crimes may threaten a nation’s security and financial health...
). It is distinct from stalking
Stalking
Stalking is a term commonly used to refer to unwanted and obsessive attention by an individual or group to another person. Stalking behaviors are related to harassment and intimidation and may include following the victim in person and/or monitoring them via the internet...
in that stalking typically requires two or more contacts, whereas harassment by computer may be a single incident. It is also different from regular harassment
Harassment
Harassment covers a wide range of behaviors of an offensive nature. It is commonly understood as behaviour intended to disturb or upset, and it is characteristically repetitive. In the legal sense, it is intentional behaviour which is found threatening or disturbing...
, because the offense typically encompasses a range of crimes that would not be considered harassment if conducted in person.
Connecticut
Connecticut
Connecticut is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States. It is bordered by Rhode Island to the east, Massachusetts to the north, and the state of New York to the west and the south .Connecticut is named for the Connecticut River, the major U.S. river that approximately...
was the first state to pass a statute making it a criminal offense to harass someone by computer. Michigan
Michigan
Michigan is a U.S. state located in the Great Lakes Region of the United States of America. The name Michigan is the French form of the Ojibwa word mishigamaa, meaning "large water" or "large lake"....
, Arizona
Arizona
Arizona ; is a state located in the southwestern region of the United States. It is also part of the western United States and the mountain west. The capital and largest city is Phoenix...
, and Virginia
Virginia
The Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...
have also passed laws banning harassment by electronic means.
Harassment by computer statutes are typically distinct from cyberbullying laws, in that the former usually relates to a person's "use a computer or computer network to communicate obscene, vulgar, profane, lewd, lascivious, or indecent language, or make any suggestion or proposal of an obscene nature, or threaten any illegal or immoral act," while the latter need not involve anything of a sexual nature.
External links
- State Computer Harassment or "Cyberstalking" Laws, National Conference of State LegislaturesNational Conference of State LegislaturesThe National Conference of State Legislatures is a bipartisan non-governmental organization established in 1975 to serve the members and staff of state legislatures of the United States...
. - http://www.haltabuse.org
Additional Resources
- Frederick S. Lane, Cybertraps for the Young, (Chicago: NTI Upstream, 2011)