Cyberbullying involves hostile behavior through technology that is intended to harm others. It differs from traditional bullying in that it allows anonymity, there is no scene of the crime, and victims cannot escape it. Some forms are considered criminal acts under Canadian law if they cause fear, spread defamation or hate, or violate privacy through impersonation. Both active aggressors and passive bystanders can participate in cyberbullying. Prevention involves being careful about sharing personal information online and telling trusted adults about cyberbullying incidents.

1. Cyberbullying What is it??? Cyberbullying is when repeated, deliberate and hostile behaviour intended to harm others is directed at an individual or group through the use of information and communication technologies.

2. Def’n con’t Like all bullying, cyberbullying involves the abuse of power by a person or group over another person.

3. Information and Communication Technologies used to cyberbully: Instant Messaging (Ims) Cell Phones Interactive Games E-mails Websites Profile Pages Discussion Boards Blogging Guest Books Social Networking Sites

4. Cyberbullying vs. Bullying How is cyberbullying different from other bullying? Bullies: Appearance of anonymity Perceived power to harass without consequence No “scene-of-the-crime” No witnesses

5. As a student who participated in focus testing for Media Awareness Network’s Young Canadians in a Wired World research commented: [ With] the Internet, you can really get away with a lot more because I don't think a lot of people would have enough confidence to walk up to someone and be like, “I hate you, you're ugly.” But over the Internet you don't really see their face or they don't see yours and you don't have to look in their eyes and see they're hurt.

6. How is cyberbullying different from other bullying? Those Bullied: Can’t escape bully. Difficult to prove. Don’t always know the bully.

7. Why is cyberbullying a problem? A study done in February 2008 “ Inter@ctive Teens: The Impact of the Internet on Canada's Next Generation” found the following: The majority of kids surveyed (88%) have participated in an online social activity (compared to 70% of adults) More than half (59%) visit online social networks or communities daily or a few times per week.

8. Why is cyberbullying a problem? In 1995 there was one hate-related Website, i n 2004 there were 4700 In Canada-14% of teens say they’ve been threatened while using instant messaging 16% admitted to having sent hateful messages themselves 75% of victims don’t call police 25% of victims suffer in silence-never tell anyone

10. CYBERBULLYING AND THE LAW: Some forms of online bullying 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.

11. CYBERBULLYING AND THE LAW: It is a crime to publish a “defamatory libel”—writing something that is designed to insult a person or is likely to injure a person's reputation by exposing him or her to hatred, contempt or ridicule.

12. CYBERBULLYING AND THE LAW: A cyber bully may also be violating the Canadian Human Rights Act If the bully spreads hate or discrimination based on race, national or ethnic origin, colour, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, family status or disability it is violating the targets human rights.

13. What counts as cyberbullying? An individual can participate in cyberbullying both PASSIVELY (as a bystander) or ACTIVELY (as an aggressor). Which is worse?

14. Cyberbullying by an aggressor can include the following: On-line fights using angry words Harassment Repeatedly sending offensive, rude, insulting messages or material Cyberstalking Repeatedly sending messages that threaten harm or that are intimidating. Defamation Misleading information that will give a negative image of someone Impersonation Stealing passwords, logging in as another person Outing and trickery Exclusion

15. Cyberbullying by a bystander can include the following: Forwarding hurtful emails Visiting a cyberbully’s inappropriate site Example: “Hot or Not” site Allow cyberbullies to take cell phone photos or video of personal moments of others Not telling a trusted adult or person of authority

16. PROACTIVELY PREVENTING CYBERBULLYING Many of these points were adapted from National Crime Prevention Council 2003 and Media Awareness Network 2004 : Guard your personal information . Never give out personal information online, whether in instant message profiles, chat rooms, blogs, or personal web sites. Never give out your passwords to anyone except your parents. That includes friends. If someone sends a mean or threatening message, don't respond . For a bully, a reaction constitutes victory. Instead, save the message or print it out and show it to an adult.

17. PROACTIVELY PREVENTING CYBERBULLYING Never open e-mails from someone you don't know or from someone you know is a bully . Be careful of what you post . Don't put anything online that you wouldn't want your classmates to see, even in e-mail. A sk yourself how you would feel if you received the message. Don't send messages when you're angry. Before clicking "Send," Help kids who are bullied online by not joining in and showing bullying messages to an adult .

18. RESOURCES: The CyberSmart! Education Company. 2007. Retrieved from: www.cybersmartcurriculum.org . Accessed: 09/28/08 Girard, D. Nguyen, L. “Students, Police clash” The Toronto Star. March 24, 2007. Accessed from:< www.thestar.com >, Retrieved: 09/09/28 Atlab, Perry. Wired Kids. “Are you a Cyber Bully?”. Retrieved from: www.stopcyberbullying.org 2008. Accessed: 09/28/08 Jackson, Drew. Cyberbullying. “Examples of Cyberbullying”. Revised April 18, 2005. Retrieved from: < www.slais.ubc.ca/COURSES/libr500/ > Accessed: 09/30/08