What is cyberbullying?
Cyberbullying is serious. Not only is it hurtful, but it can also lead to legal issues. Here’s how to recognize inappropriate behaviour online.
To remember
👉 Cyberbullying is a serious and punishable act.
👉 Once online, the situation becomes uncontrollable.
Cyberbullying is when someone uses technological tools to bully or harass another person. For example, a young person might use a cell phone, computer, or tablet to send hurtful or threatening messages to someone on social media, blogs, online chat, or video sites. It’s an act of unacceptable violence that can be punished by law.
If you post an image that harms someone’s reputation, that’s cyberbullying. Other people can save and use this image, even if you decide to delete it a few hours later.
Who engages in cyberbullying and why?
Did you know that most kids engage in cyberbullying at some point or have already done it at least once? When we’re behind a screen, we have less empathy for the other person because we can’t see his/her reaction. It’s often because they are trying to gain power over another person, blow off steam, or get revenge. It’s an act of aggression that injures, scares, and harms the victim.
Careful! The consequences of your actions can catch up to you in real life! There are other ways of settling a conflict.
Loss of control
Cyberbullying is unpredictable and can spread very quickly. A single act can reach an unlimited number of people, and you lose control over its dissemination.
Think before posting something that could hurt someone. Do you really want to harm someone's reputation and cause suffering? Don't forget that there are real people behind the screens. Being a witness to cyberbullying without acting makes you an accomplice. If you participate in sharing, you are also cyberbullying.
💡The consequences of cyberbullying are very real: we're talking about them here.
