(KCEN) -- Cyber bullying is a problem that affects hundreds of kids each year.
But now one Wisconsin county is taking a new step to fight it.
Last week the Vernon County board passed an ordinance that's aimed at keeping people from sending bullying messages through the Internet or any mobile device.
The ordinance also gives law enforcement the ability to fine people for cyber bullying.
Vernon County Sheriff John Spears, "If I send you a threatening text message and threaten you or bully you, it's pretty easy for you to walk up to a police station and sheriff's office and say, I'm getting threats from John Spears,' and you show me your phone. Now that's a pretty simple thing to look at it, there's no mistake about it. We can see whose phone it came from."
The fines range from 50 to 500 dollars.
However, opponents of the bill worry it could violate people's freedom of speech.
