What is Cyberbullying?
The term “cyberbullying” refers to the action of harassing, intimidating, or intending to harm someone via the Internet, social media, email, text message, instant messaging, or other forms of electronic communication.
Examples of cyberbullying behaviour may include:
· Spreading malicious rumours, lies, or gossip
· Intimidating, aggressive, threatening, or offensive behaviour or comments
· Posting comments or photos with the intention to embarrass or humiliate another individual
What To Do If You Are a Victim of Cyberbullying?
If you believe that you are experiencing cyberbullying, your first step should be to clearly indicate to the alleged harasser that their behaviour is not acceptable and that you want them to stop. In some cases, the individual may be unaware that their behaviour is inappropriate and they will stop.
If this approach does not work, there are University of Guelph resources available to help you:
· Students have access to several services through Student Affairs [1], including:
o Student Support Network [2]
o Student Helpline [3] 1 866 925 5454
· Staff can reach out to Human Resources [4], and follow the University’s Harassment Policies [5]
How Can I Prevent Cyberbullying or Help Others?
You can help prevent cyberbullying by taking action:
· Don’t pass along cyberbullying messages
· Talk to your friends about cyberbullying and tell them to stop if you see them engaging in cyberbullying
· Block communication with cyberbullies
· Share this website and other resources with those that may be affected by cyberbullying
· Practice good password habits, including choosing a strong password, changing your passwords frequently, and never share your passwords with anyone
· Be careful with what you share online and assume that others will see it
Additional resources are available from the Government of Canada’s Cyber Safe program [6].