By John Q. Hosedrinker 
Tennessee recently enacted a law targeting bullying by suspending the driver’s licenses of minors convicted of bullying or cyberbullying for up to a year. This legislation, designed to address the long-term harm caused by bullying, allows for restricted licenses for essential destinations like school or work, but requires judicial approval. While lauded as a step towards addressing the issue, some experts emphasize the importance of also addressing the root causes of bullying by working with the offenders. The law builds on previous efforts to combat bullying in Tennessee, including updated definitions of the behavior.
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New Tennessee law strips teens of driving privileges if they are found guilty of bullying. The reaction to this new law is certainly mixed, and for good reason. On the one hand, taking away a teen’s driving privileges could be a significant consequence, something they’ll definitely feel, hopefully deterring them from bullying behavior. This could potentially be a smart way to get teens to take bullying seriously, especially considering how much value many place on their freedom to drive.
The immediate concerns arise around how the state plans to define “bullying” and how it will be determined if a teen is guilty. “Bullying” is a broad term, and people’s interpretations can vary widely. Some might see harmless teasing, while others might perceive it as a serious offense. Add to that the potential for weaponization; will this law be used spitefully, with accusations flying back and forth to take away someone’s driving privileges? The law must have a solid foundation of evidence, and the burden of proof must be substantial to avoid misuse. There’s a worry that this law could be applied unequally, potentially targeting certain groups more than others, which is a valid concern.
The question of who decides guilt is central. Is this a court matter, or can schools make the determination? A court process would likely provide more due process and fairness, but involving schools opens up the possibility for inconsistencies. Then we must consider what is the actual definition? Are they referencing school bullying, cyber bullying, or general harassment? It may be difficult to track what is going on.
Also, there is a valid question: if this law applies to teens, why not to adults? Wouldn’t it be interesting to see the same consequences applied to adults who engage in similar behavior, especially those in positions of power? The hypocrisy of applying it to kids while adults can do as they please makes people wonder why they even decided to limit it to teens.
The practicalities of enforcement are also brought into question. Will this law be enforced effectively? Can the state truly prevent teens from driving if they are determined to do so, particularly in areas where driving is a necessity? There are issues with getting a license back in the first place, considering the costs and potential for immediate re-suspension, which makes enforcement that much more difficult.
There are also other factors to consider as well. For example, teens may have to drive in order to work and assist their families. The ability to drive may be essential in supporting their families with sick/disabled parents. What about taking away the only way a teen has to earn money in order to pay for the fines that they will undoubtedly receive if this law is abused?
Alternatives to this are discussed. While some people support taking away driving privileges, others propose different punishments, like banning social media accounts or taking away gaming privileges. However, it’s not clear what is being banned. This is an example of some of the many problems this bill could have.
Ultimately, the efficacy of the new law will depend on how it’s implemented, how bullying is defined, and how fairly it’s enforced. It’s a step in trying to address a serious problem, but there are also questions as to how it will be applied. There are also significant financial ramifications to consider, and it is not clear how this will all play out in the end.