Parent Information
Counselling Department
Brooks Secondary School
Powell River, BC
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CYBER BULLYING “is the use of technology
to harass, threaten, embarrass, or target
another person” (“Cyberbullying”, 2008).
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CYBER BULLYING is “...deliberate, repeated
and hostile behaviour by an individual or
group, that is intended to harm others”
(Trolley & Hannel, 2010).
“Cyberbullying” (2008). Teens Health. The Nemours Foundation. 1995-2010.
[http://kidshealth.org/teen/school_jobs/bullying/cyberbullying.html]
Trolley, B., & Hannel, C. (2010). Cyber kids, cyber bullying, cyber balance. Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin.
Definition
Trolley and
Hannell (2010)
call cyber bullying
“school bullying on
steroids.”
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the Internet and other electronic
media’s reach and its perceived
anonymity (feeling of being
invisible or anonymous) means
that youth who might not
otherwise initiate bullying may
initiate cyber bullying
the lack of face-to-face contact
leads to less empathy by the
perpetrator toward the target
and results in the misconception
that no real harm has resulted
“Parents’ Guide to Cyberbullying” (2010). Media Awareness Network. [http://www.mediaawareness.ca/english/resources/educational/teaching_backgrounders/cyberbullying/cyberbullying_avatars_h2.cfm].
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an unlimited number of young people may
become bystanders who perpetuate the
victimization as they read and forward
harassing messages and/or images
although statistics vary from study to study, a
reasonable estimate seems to between 12% 25% of students have reported being
cyberbullied (Johns, 2008).
Johns, H.D. (2008). “Cyberbullying: A Very Brief Summary.” Alberta Association for Media Awareness.
There are many reasons for why some youth become a
cyber bully. Here are some of them:
 revenge for themselves or others
 lack of understanding that it is harmful
 seen as fun
 a way to assert power
 a way to channel aggressive energy
 boredom
 attention
 jealousy
 appearance of being cool or tough
 rewards or prestige
Trolley, B., & Hannel, C. (2010). Cyber kids, cyber bullying, cyber balance. Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin.
PERPETRATOR

the person who commits a
cyber bullying act
TARGET

the person who is the
recipient of a cyber
bullying act
BYSTANDERS
any person or group who
witnesses or is affected by
a cyber bullying act, but is
not directly involved as
perpetrator or target
 this important group forms
the social consensus for
bullying behaviour—online
or offline

Focus on harassment and intimidation: Responding to bullying in secondary school communities (2001). Ministry of
Education and Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General.
Trolley, B., & Hannel, C. (2010). Cyber kids, cyber bullying, cyber balance. Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin.
FLAMING
 online fights using electronic
messages with angry and vulgar
language; generally involves
equivalent strength aggressors
IMPERSONATING
 Impersonating someone to make
the person look bad, get into trouble
or danger, or damage that person’s
reputation or friendships
HARASSMENT
 repeatedly sending offensive and
insulting messages
OUTING
 sharing someone’s secrets or
embarrassing information or images
online
CYBER STALKING
 engaging in online activities that
make a person afraid for his or her
safety; generates fear
DENIGRATION
 sending or posting cruel gossip or
rumours about a person to damage
his or her reputation or friendships
TRICKERY
 Tricking someone into revealing
secrets or embarrassing
information, which is shared
EXCLUSION
 Intentionally excluding someone
from an online group
Trolley, B., & Hannel, C. (2010). Cyber kids, cyber bullying, cyber balance. Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin.
show an interest in your child’s online life
discuss cyber bullying and behaving ethically online
with your child
 teach your child how to react to an online bully:
STOP: leave the area or stop the activity (i.e. chat
room, online game, instant messaging, social
networking site, etc.)
BLOCK the sender’s messages. Never reply to
harassing messages.
TALK to an adult. If the bullying includes physical
threats, contact the police.
SAVE any harassing messages if you can
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meet with school officials if your child is being bullied by a
peer at school
therapeutic interventions are helpful for both the target and
perpetrator; contact your school counsellor or community
youth counsellor for help
report incidents and file a complaint when appropriate
(police, Internet Service Provider, website administrator, cell
phone service provider, etc.)
“Cyberbullying” (2008). Teens Health. The Nemours Foundation. 1995-2010.
[http://kidshealth.org/teen/school_jobs/bullying/cyberbullying.html]
“Parents’ Guide to Cyberbullying” (2010). Media Awareness Network. [http://www.mediaawareness.ca/english/resources/educational/teaching_backgrounders/cyberbullying/cyberbullying_avatars_h2.cfm].
Trolley, B., & Hannel, C. (2010). Cyber kids, cyber bullying, cyber balance. Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin.

Cyber Safe
http://www.learnnowbc.ca/lnbcresources/cybersafe/default.aspx
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Media Awareness Network
http://www.media-awareness.ca/english/index.cfm
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Safety and the Internet
http://www.kidsintheknow.ca
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Trolley, B., & Hannel, C. (2010). Cyber kids, cyber bullying, cyber balance.
Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin.