Should there be fines and criminal penalties for student bullying?
Lizzie Charlton
student | Old City
“I think you can begin with a suspension. The student might get the message after that. If it’s a repeat offender, there should be the option of fines and criminal penalties, but definitely not a fine or criminal penalty for a first-time offender. My preference is to educate kids from as young an age as possible, so they don’t think bullying is OK.”
Lizzie Charlton
student | Old City
“I think you can begin with a suspension. The student might get the message after that. If it’s a repeat offender, there should be the option of fines and criminal penalties, but definitely not a fine or criminal penalty for a first-time offender. My preference is to educate kids from as young an age as possible, so they don’t think bullying is OK.”
Tara Palmer
social worker | South Philadelphia
“Start off with education. If it’s an LGBT issue, send the child to The Attic Youth Center for education. It’s all about education. If that doesn’t work, maybe juvenile detention for 15-30 days, and some community service. No fines. I don’t think fines hold people accountable. So they’re ineffective.”
Simone Chatham
student | Mount Airy
“Yes, verbal bullying is as bad as physical bullying, and it can be just as damaging. It’s all very serious. I think there should be fines and criminal penalties for bullying. But not to the extreme. And if the child is under 18, their identity should be protected.”
Rod Sewell
retired engineer | Northern Liberties
“If the student does it once, they should be suspended. But if they keep doing it, their parents should get a fine. If the action is violent, there should be a criminal penalty for the student.”
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