Cyberbullying

Electronic or cyberbullying is using electronic media to threaten, embarrass, intimidate, exclude or damage someone’s reputation. It can cause enormous pain.

Cyberbullying is different from face-to-face bullying

Cyberbullying can be anonymous.
People tend to say more hurtful, cruel things because of the anonymity.
The person doing the cyberbullying does not have to see the reaction and pain of the person they are hurting.
People who would not bully someone in person might do so online because they can hide.
Some people cyberbully simply out of boredom.
It is very difficult for the person being targeted by cyberbullying to escape.
Bullying via electronic media has a huge number of bystanders... and a huge number of people who can stand up to the bullying.

Cyberbullying tips

Protect your personal information online—never give out your passwords, even to your closest friends.
Before you send a text, ask yourself if you are ok if the whole world sees it because private messages and photos can go public.
Remind yourself that you do not deserve to be bullied or harassed.
If someone is cyberbullying you, ask for help, find tips to help protect yourself at www.cybertip.ca and www.cyberbullying.ca, and always save any messages you receive as evidence.
Be kind online. Do not post or pass on anything negative about another person. Stop and think:
- How would you feel if someone did this to you?
- What would an adult whose opinions you respect, such as a coach or grandparent, think of your actions?
- How would you feel if your actions were reported on the front page of a newspaper?
- Would you say this to the person’s face?
- In a month or a year or a decade, will you be happy you posted something unkind?
- Laws and penalties against cyberbullying are getting tougher all the time.
Once you post it, it’s out there for all to see—you can apologize, but you can’t take it back.
Refuse to forward hurtful emails, text messages or embarrassing photos to friends—by refusing to pass it on, you become part of the solution.
Block people who spread rumours online.
Avoid websites that feature negative information about other students.