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West Virginia Code Chapter 61. Crimes and Their Punishment § 61-3C-14c. Cyberbullying or specific acts of electronic harassment of minors; definitions; penalties; exceptions

Current as of January 01, 2024 | Updated by Findlaw Staff

(a) It is unlawful for a person to knowingly and intentionally use a computer or computer network, as defined in § 61-3C-3, to engage in conduct with the intent to harass, intimidate, or bully a minor, including, but not limited to:

(1) Posting, disseminating or encouraging others to post or disseminate private, personal, or sexual information pertaining to a minor on the Internet; or

(2) Posting obscene material, as defined in § 61-3C-14a of this code, in a real or doctored image of a minor on the Internet;

(b) For the purposes of this section:

(1) “Harass, intimidate or bully” means any intentional gesture, or any intentional electronic, written, verbal, or physical act, communication, transmission or threat that:

(A) A reasonable person under the circumstances should know the act will have the effect of any one or more of the following:

(i) Physically harming a minor;

(ii) Damaging a minor’s property;

(iii) Placing a minor in reasonable fear of harm to his or her person; or

(iv) Placing a minor in reasonable fear of damage to his or her property; or

(B) Is sufficiently severe, persistent, or pervasive that it creates an intimidating, threatening, or emotionally abusive environment for a minor.

(2) “Minor” means an individual under the age of 18 years old.

(c) This section does not apply to a peaceful activity intended to:

(i) Express a political view; or

(ii) Provide information to others with no intent to harass, intimidate, or bully.

(d) Any person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction thereof, shall be fined not more than $500 or confined in jail for a period not to exceed one year, or both confined and fined.

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Cite this article: FindLaw.com - West Virginia Code Chapter 61. Crimes and Their Punishment § 61-3C-14c. Cyberbullying or specific acts of electronic harassment of minors; definitions; penalties; exceptions - last updated January 01, 2024 | https://codes.findlaw.com/wv/chapter-61-crimes-and-their-punishment/wv-code-sect-61-3c-14c/

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