Learn what cyberbullying is

Cyberbullying involves the use of information and communication technologies, including, but not limited to, email, cell phone and text messages, camera phones, instant message, or defamatory personal websites, to support deliberate, repeated and hostile behaviour by an individual or group that is intended to harm others. It involves using technology to spread gossip, secrets or rumors about another person that will damage that person’s reputation.

What common technology is used to cyberbully?

Email

• Sending nasty or threatening emails to a player, coach or parent
• Including the entire team in a message to someone that is insulting or nasty
• Sending out or posting unsuitable images or videos
• Breaking into an email account and sending hurtful materials to others under an assumed identity
• Deliberately excluding others from email contact lists

Social Networks (Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, etc.)

• Posting nasty comments or embarrassing or offensive photos of a teammate, coach or volunteer
• Hacking into someone’s account and sending unpleasant messages
• Rejecting or excluding teammates

Cell Phones/Smart Phones

• Nasty or threatening calls or texts between players, parents, coaches or officials
• Taking humiliating pictures or videos and sharing them with others
• Starting rumours about another person through texting or phone calls
• Using apps inappropriately

Live Chats, Websites and Blogs

• Deliberately excluding others from instant messaging contact lists
• Sending or posting negative comments about a coach or player
• Having negative discussions about your team on a public forum
• Threatening others
• Creating blogs or websites that have stories, cartoons, pictures or jokes ridiculing others
• Creating polling websites where visitors are asked to rate individuals attributes in a negative manner
• Engaging someone in instant messaging, tricking them into revealing personal information and then forwarding that information to others
• Using someone else’s password in order to change their profile to reflect sexual, racist and other content that may offend others
• Posting false or hurtful messages on online bulletin boards or in chat rooms

Online Gaming Sites

• Name-calling of other players involved
• Sending nasty messages while the game is being played
• Picking on weaker players during the game

To learn more about cyberbullying, visit:

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