Cyber bullying just got way more serious. As a country, we have gone many years without substantial consequence for cyber bullying. Twenty-eight out of the fifty states, including Nebraska, have created a law. According to U.S. News, the law makes cyberbullying a misdemeanor offense, punishable by a maximum three months jail sentence and a $500 fine.

“My job as principal is to detect it and figure out who is sending what,” Principal Jay Opperman said.

Opperman said he believes it is necessary for parents to monitor their children’s social media presence and to encourage their students to report when cyberbullying happens. As a School Resource Officer, Jeff Kilgore’s job is to deal with students if they were to violate this law.

“Cyberbullying is a very common problem we have in school with young kids these days because phones are so popular now,” Kilgore said.  

Junior Angel Emmanuel and said she has not dealt with cyberbullying herself, but she is concerned for herself and her friends.  

“Cyberbullying isn’t gonna be decreased because everybody has phones and it has nothing to do with school most of the time,” Emmanuel said.

Kilgore said he would like to see tougher consequences for cyberbullying.

“I personally don’t think that the current consequence is good,” he said. “This matter is going to be mainly among kids, and it’ll be just a simple street release”.