Editor's Note: Tuesday’s American Morning audience was disturbed by the report of nine teens arrested in Massachusetts for alleged bullying. Most agreed that the students should be prosecuted to the full extent of the law. Many also wanted those in the school administration, who were aware of the bullying but did nothing, to be included in the prosecution and punishment.
- Pat: bulling/1954/5 Central High KC- we were push down stairs, attacked in gym with broken coke bottles, typing rollers taken off and teachers beaten. Police had to escort us in & out of school to bus for ride home and safety. All from first year of blacks in our school, that is when I learned who blacks were. A girl said they are taught at birth to hate and attack us. This was in 1998 when was an interim worker I was training at Hospital. Bullying is not new.
- Cynthia: Those teens in MA need to pay for what they caused. I was bullied, not to that extent and usually the young people doing it are JEALOUS. I will never forget the hurt. She was beautiful and new to the area...Young people can be mean. Very sad .
- Elfman: My wife, adult daughter and I are all Facebook friends with our school age daughter just so we can monitor what is said by her and her friends. Twice we have quietly notified the parents of two kids who had inappropriate posts. One of those times was cyber-bullying.
- Mick: I am a retired guidance counselor. Dealing with a concerted bullying campaign against one of my students is one of the toughest tasks I had. John, you can't just say "stop it!" and expect savvy determined kids to stop. Most schools do not have the resources to provide around the clock bodyguards. Maybe making it a crime and prosecuting the bullies would work, but believe me it is no simple matter.
How do you feel about the arrest of the nine teens? What do you think is the appropriate punishment, if any? Continue the conversation below.