Village Gamer

Cyber-bullying has no boundaries, it can reach a child or teen anywhere and at any time. That’s why during Crime Prevention Week (November 1-7), the Province’s Ministry of Justice is sharing with B.C. families some of the best ways to protect kids from being bullied online. Cyber-bullying is a complex problem that comes in many forms and is constantly evolving as technology changes. People who engage in cyber-bullying can often be more cruel and aggressive because the Internet gives them a certain level of anonymity.

Cyber-bullying can include actions like:

• Posting or sharing false information or images online, in emails or texts without consent.
• Repeatedly sending threatening, mean or insulting messages.
• Pretending to be someone else and saying or doing things online that are not true, or are intended to cause harm or damage a person’s reputation.
• Pressuring others to exclude someone from a “community” – online or offline.

To help end cyber-bullying:

• Do not respond. The bully is looking for a reaction. By not responding, you are taking away their power.
• Save the evidence. There is usually physical evidence of cyber-bullying such as harassing messages, threatening text messages or Facebook postings. These can be saved and shown to someone who can help.
• Talk to a trusted adult. There are people who will help. It can be a parent, a teacher or a trusted adult. If you are really nervous about saying anything, there is usually a way of reporting the incident anonymously at school.
• Be a friend, not a bystander. Watching or forwarding mean messages empowers a bully. If you can, tell bullies to stop or let them know harassment makes people look mean. It is time to let people who bully know their behaviour is unacceptable.

For more information on cyber-bullying, please visit Erase Bullying and Safe Teens.