The student media organization of California State University Northridge

Daily Sundial

The student media organization of California State University Northridge

Daily Sundial

The student media organization of California State University Northridge

Daily Sundial

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What is the appropriate punishment for cyberbullying?

Nearly eight months ago, Rutgers University student Tyler Clementi posted a message on Facebook announcing his intention to commit suicide. “Jumping off the gw (George Washington) bridge sorry,” he wrote.

Clementi, who was 18-years-old, took his life after his roommate and another student used a webcam to live stream video of him engaging in homosexual acts.

Dharun Ravi, 19, has 15 criminal charges pending and faces several years in prison if convicted of the most serious charge, bias intimidation.

Molly Wei, 19, is currently in a pretrial intervention program and may avoid jail time and a criminal record if she testifies against Ravi. She will also be required to do 300 hours of community service and get a job.

Many people think Ravi and Wei are responsible for tormenting Clementi into suicide, others see suicide as an individual’s decision and of no ones fault but their own.They are essentially being charged with cyberbullying, but there is some debate if it should even be classified as a crime.

If it is determined to be criminal, does it warrant several years in jail?

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