Cyberbullying

Floor Speech

Mr. HIMES. Madam Speaker, this piece of paper will never be the same. No matter how much you try, you can't remove the marks that are left behind. The paper may not have ripped, but once the damage is done, the scars remain.

I saw this idea on the Web site of a new organization formed in Ridgefield, Connecticut, Students Against Internet Discrimination, or SAID. SAID formed in response to anonymous bullies at Ridgefield High School who were using Twitter to attack other kids from behind a wall of anonymity.

Cyberbullying, kids using the Internet to intimidate, defame, or attack other kids, is a growing problem.

Sophie Needleman, a senior at Ridgefield High, decided to create an outlet online for the legions of supportive, helpful, and decent students to speak out and speak up. With a few friends, she started a Facebook group for Ridgefield students to counter the actions of the bullies. Within 48 hours, it had 1,000 concerned students and adults who wanted to show that bullying has no place in our schools.

I commend the students behind Students Against Internet Discrimination and the entire community of support behind this growing movement.

For every bully out there, there are hundreds of adults and other students who will support this effort and offer help. Seek out a group like SAID and join the effort to stop the despicable practice of cyberbullying.

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