Learn more Bullying and cyberbulling: learning resources

Bullying

Bullying happens when there is an imbalance of power; where someone purposely and repeatedly says or does hurtful things to someone else. Bullying can occur one on one or in a group(s) of people. There are many different forms of bullying:

Physical bullying (using your body or objects to cause harm): includes hitting, punching, kicking, spitting or breaking someone else's belongings.

bullying (using your body or objects to cause harm): includes hitting, punching, kicking, spitting or breaking someone else's belongings. Verbal bullying (using words to hurt someone): includes name calling, put-downs, threats and teasing.

bullying (using words to hurt someone): includes name calling, put-downs, threats and teasing. Social bullying (using your friends and relationships to hurt someone): includes spreading rumours, gossiping, excluding others from a group or making others look foolish or unintelligent. This form of bullying is most common among girls.

DID YOU KNOW? Children who bully are 37% more likely than children who do not bully to commit criminal offences as adults. (Public Safety)

Cyberbullying

Cyberbullying involves the use of communication technologies such as the Internet, social networking sites, websites, email, text messaging and instant messaging to repeatedly intimidate or harass others.

Cyberbullying includes:

Sending mean or threatening emails or text/instant messages.

Posting embarrassing photos of someone online.

Creating a website to make fun of others.

Pretending to be someone by using their name.

Tricking someone into revealing personal or embarrassing information and sending it to others.

Cyberbullying affects victims in different ways than traditional bullying. It can follow a victim everywhere 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, from school, to the mall and all the way into the comfort of their home - usually safe from traditional forms of bullying.

Impacts

Over time, youth who are bullied or bully others find their own ways of dealing with it. While some victims/bullies may become depressed and begin to withdraw socially, others react aggressively and turn to violence.

DID YOU KNOW? Youth who are bullied suffer more headaches, stomach aches, depression and anxiety. Mental health problems associated with bullying tend to last until later in life (PREVNet).

Dangers for Children and Adolescents Who Are Bullied:

Depression

Social anxiety, loneliness, isolation

Stress related health problems (e.g., headaches, stomach aches)

Low self esteem

School absenteeism and academic problems

Aggressive behaviours

Contemplating, attempting, or committing suicide

Dangers for Children and Adolescents Who Bully Others:

Not knowing the difference between right and wrong

Delinquency and substance use

Academic problems and increased school dropout rate

Aggression

Sexual harassment and dating aggression

Gang involvement and criminal adulthood

Difficulties in their relationships with others

Being bullied at the hands of others

(PREVNet)

Bullying and the Law

Bullying can be a traumatic experience, and some forms of bullying can even be considered illegal. These include:

Criminal Harassment Repeated tormenting online, with texts, phone calls, and/or emails causing the other person to fear for their safety Child pornography Sharing intimate photos and videos of minors (under the age of 18) Uttering Threats and Extortion Threatening to share someone's personal information to others if they don't do what you want them to do Assault Threats or acts of non-consensual force, violence, bodily harm, or destruction of personal property Identity Theft/Fraud Creating a fake online profile to ruin someone's reputation Defamatory Libel Spreading rumors about someone

For all of these criminal offences, it is important to notify your local police detachment or report it to CYBERTIP.CA. Based on the available information, police will decide if an investigation is warranted and whether charges may be laid.

What You Can Do

Youth

If you are a victim of bullying

DID YOU KNOW? In 90% of bullying incidents, peers are present and watching. Yet bullying often stops within 10 seconds when bystanders intervene. (PREVNet).

If you know someone who is being bullied...

If you feel it's safe to do so, tell the bully to stop.

Find friends/students/youth or an adult who can help stop it.

Befriend the person being bullied and lead them away from the situation.

Report it to a teacher or school staff.

Fill out an anonymous letter and drop it off to a teacher or any adult you trust.

Adults

If you know or think that a child is a victim of bullying...