Cyberbullying, like other forms of bullying, is about human relationships, power and control.

Those who bully others are trying to establish power and control over others that they perceive

to be “weaker” than them. Those who bully want to make victims feel that there is something

wrong with them, but victims should know that there is NOTHING wrong with THEM. It is THE

BULLIES who have the real problems.

Cyberbullying is different from other forms of bullying in a number of ways. While bullying is

something that is often under the radar screen of adults, cyberbullying is even more so as

today’s youth, a group that I call the “Always on Generation, feel it most often and most

intensely”. This generation is increasingly communicating in ways that are often unknown by

adult and away from their supervision.

Cyberbullying is also different in that it is a particularly cowardly form of bullying. Cyberbullies

can more easily hide behind the anonymity that the Internet can provide.

Cyberbullies can communicate their hurtful messages to a very wide audience with remarkable

speed.

Cyberbullying does not provide any tangible feedback about the consequences of using

information technologies to cyberbully others. Cyberbullies do not have to own their actions, as it

is usually very difficult to identify cyberbullies, so they do not fear being punished for their

actions.

Cyberbullying is often outside of the legal reach of schools and school boards as this behaviour

often happens outside of school on home computers or via mobile phones.

Victims of bullying are often fearful of telling others about being bullied because they fear that

the bullying may actually become worse if they tell. Victims of cyberbullying are often also afraid

to report to adults about being cyberbullied, as they also fear that adults will over-react and take

away their mobile phone, computer and/or Internet access. This is something that is increasingly

unthinkable for the “Always On” generation as not being online means not being able to socialize

or communicate with their peers, and this fear of exclusion is paramount in the lives of most

adolescents and teens.

In most cases, cyberbullies know their victims, but their victims may not know their cyberbullies,

the aggressors may or may not bully their victims through physical, verbal, emotional or

psychological means that are more easily identified.

With the advent of mobile, wireless Internet access, communications have become more

ubiquitous. As a result, Cyberbullying can happen any time and any place and for many children,

home is no linger a refuge from negative peer pressure such as bullying.

have said hateful things about others (Source: Young Canadians in a Wired World –Mnet

Survey, 2001

via their computers or cell phones, including death threats. -NCH -National Children's

Home (UK)

Some forms of cyberbullying are considered criminal acts. Under the Criminal Code of Canada, it

is a crime to communicate repeatedly with someone if your communication causes them to fear

for their own safety or the safety of others.

It is also a crime to publish a “defamatory libel”, writing something that is designed to insult a

person or likely to hurt a person’s reputation by exposing him or her to hatred, contempt or

ridicule.

A cyberbully may also be violating the Canadian Human Rights Act, if he or she spreads hate or

discrimination based on race, national or ethnic origin, colour, religion, age, sex, sexual

orientation, marital status, family status or disability.

cyberbullying. It is often a very hurtful, difficult and time-consuming challenge to deal with the

effects of cyberbullying after it has occurred. It can take a lot of time and effort to get Internet

Service Providers (ISPs) and Mobile Telecommunications Service Providers (the phone companies

who sell you your cell phone and pagers) to respond and deal with your complaints about being

cyberbullied.

includes your name, the names of friends or family, your address, phone number, school name

(or team name if you play sports). Personal info also includes pictures of yourself and your e-mail

address. Ask permission before sharing any information with a website, a "chat buddy" and even

when registering a product purchased for your computer (like a game). Passwords are secret.

Never tell anyone your password except your parents or guardian.

doesn't mean they are telling the truth. Even adults can't tell when a male pretends to be a

female or a 50 year old pretends to be a 15 year old.

rudely or meanly - do not respond. Online bullies are just like offline ones - they WANT you to

answer (don't give them the satisfaction).

down and think. Do your best to make sure that your messages are calmly and factually written.

© 2004 Bullying.org Canada Incorporated

You will usually regret sending a "Flame" (angry) to someone else. Once you've sent a message,

it is VERY hard to undo the damage that such "flames" can do.

parents, guardian or another adult.

Internet, if you find something that you don't like, makes you feel uncomfortable or scares you,

turn off the computer and tell an adult.

Don't stay online or connected too long. Spend time with your family and friends off line. Try a

little less virtual reality and a lot more actual reality!

Create a contract with your parents or guardians. Ask your parents to read the information for

them on this Web site, so they will be informed about cyberbullying and Internet safety issues.

Schools and school boards should contact Bullying.org Canada and have them present

information sessions for students and parents about cyberbullying and refer them to the

Schools and school boards should update their computer and Internet Acceptable Use Policies

(AUPs) to include harassment done with mobile and wireless Internet information technologies.

There should be clear and serious consequences for anyone who doesn’t follow the AUP that

should be signed by both students and parents. The updated AUP should specifically prohibit the

use of ICTs for cyberbullying.

very hard to solve such problems on your own.

exactly what cyberbullies want. They want to know that they've got you worried and upset. They

are trying to mess with your mind and control you, to put fear into you. Don't give them that

pleasure.

is your evidence. Unfortunately you may get similar messages again, perhaps from other

accounts. The police and your ISP, and/or your telephone company can use these messages to

help you. You might notice certain words or phrases that are also used by people you know.

These messages may reveal certain clues as to who is doing this to you, but don't try and solve

this on your own. Tell an adult you know and trust. GET HELP!

To report cyberbullying, it's really important to save as much info as you can. The more you have

saved, the easier it will be to track down the people bothering you.

If you receive e-mail from cyberbullies, you can report it to your ISP with the full headers

displayed. The full header shows every stage of an e-mail's journey. Forwarding e-mail with the

full header displayed will let the support team track down where it came from.

© 2004 Bullying.org Canada Incorporated

information visible

full message header that you copied

If somebody has stolen or "hacked" your account and changed all the login details, you will need

to get in touch with a support team to get it back.