The Pros And Cons Of Cyberbullying

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According to a study completed by the University of Toronto in 2008 nearly one in five Canadian students reported that they have been bullied online in the past three months. (University of Toronto, 2008) Cyberbullying is a broad term which includes insulting, targeting, identity theft, uploading unwanted content, excluding, and harassment. (Media Smarts, 2013). According to Bill Belsey “cyberbullying involves the use of information and communication technologies to support deliberate, repeated, and hostile behaviour by an individual or group, which is intended to harm others.” (Cyberbullying, n.d.) Due to an increase in the prevalence of adolescents online, cyberbullying has become more widespread in recent years. In order to counter this …show more content…

In Canada, cyberbullying can be addressed under the civil law or criminal law, based on the situation. (Media Smarts, 2013). Civil law is a branch of law that deals with property rights, personal dignity, and freedom from injury. (Media Smarts, 2013). Under civil law, a cyberbully may be incriminated if they engaged in defamation. (Media Smarts, 2013). Defamation includes harming someone’s reputation by spreading false information. (Media Smarts, 2013). If this course of action is pursued and the suit is successful, the cyberbully will most likely to pay damages to the target. (Media Smarts, 2013). Criminal law on the other hand, is the branch of law that determine which actions are crimes against the state. (Media Smarts, 2013). Examples of cyberbullying that would fall under criminal law include harassment or defamatory libel. (Media Smarts, 2013). Harassment includes when someone fears for their safety or the safety of others. (Media Smarts, 2013). Defamatory libel consists of libellous statements that are directed against a person in authority and could harm his or her reputation. (Media Smarts, 2013). These crimes can be punished by up to five years and ten years in prison respectfully. (Media Smarts, 2013). For many teen cyberbullies these laws have caused them to be …show more content…

However, with the case of cyberbullying all cases must consider section 7 which guarantees “the right to life, liberty, and security of the person.” (Media Smarts, 2013). In many provinces and territories in Canada there are specific laws that deal with online and offline bullying. In Ontario, the Education Act now includes a specific definition of “bullying” aimed to help law makers and justice systems to determine if the case is one involving bullying. (Media Smarts, 2013). As well, in Alberta, Quebec, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Manitoba lawmakers have recently revised their Education Acts to redefine bullying in order to more effectively deal with

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