ALBANY – Legislation sponsored by State Assemblywoman Didi Barrett (D, Hudson) that would establish a task force to explore the effects of cyber-bullying in New York and create a roadmap for solutions, has passed in both houses and is headed to the governor’s desk.
Barrett said the need to address this issue has been heightened by the pandemic as more people have taken to the internet, and for longer periods of time.
“These devices have become tools of bullying and abuse and I think coming to terms with understanding what is going on and how devastating it can be is part of what this bill is all about,” she said.
Barrett said the “scourge of cyber-bullying knows no geographic, ethnic, racial, religious, social or political boundaries and its devastating impact on young people has only increased” with the pandemic.
The nine-member task force will consist of experts in child psychology, technology, mental health, law enforcement and social services. It will be charged with providing a report to the state by July 1, 2023.
