Building a Safer Digital Campus: Combating Cyberbullying and Online Harassment

Cyberbullying and online harassment are serious issues impacting individuals across all demographics, including faculty and staff within UBC.

Understanding Cyberbullying and Online Harassment

Cyberbullying involves the repeated use of electronic communication to bully, humiliate, or threaten someone. It can occur on social media, email, texting, gaming platforms, and video-sharing sites.

Tactics evolve with technology, but common examples include:

• Name-calling and insults
• Threats
• Rumours and gossip
• Sharing embarrassing photos or videos without consent
• Impersonation
• Exclusion from online groups
• Encouraging self-harm or suicide

Online harassment is broader, encompassing any behaviour that causes distress or harm online. This can include:

• Unsolicited threatening emails
• Defamatory comments online
• Harassment during live chats
• Creating negative online content about someone

While cyberbullying often involves repeated actions, harassment can be a single event or a series. The key distinction lies in the intent to cause harm.

Protecting Yourself from Cyberbullying and Online Harassment

Here are steps to help mitigate the risks:

• Be mindful of your online presence. Carefully consider what you share and remember – once something's online, it's hard to control its spread or erase it completely.
• Use strong passwords and privacy settings. Create unique, strong passwords for each online account and utilize privacy settings to control who can see your information and interact with you.
• Be cautious about sharing personal information. Avoid publicly sharing sensitive details like your address, phone number, or financial information. Be wary of suspicious requests or links from unknown sources.
• Think before you post or share. Consider the potential impact of your words and actions online. Avoid engaging in harmful or offensive behaviour, even as a joke. Online communication lacks the nuance of face-to-face interaction and can be misinterpreted.
• Report cyberbullying and harassment. Most social media platforms and online services have reporting mechanisms. If you witness or experience cyberbullying or harassment, report it to the relevant platform or authority. This helps create a safer online environment.

Go Further...

• Understand Cyberbullying
• Cybertip.ca: Reports online sexual exploitation of children.
• Kids Help Phone: Offers confidential support and resources for young people.
• PREVNet: Works to prevent bullying and promote safe relationships for children and youth.
• NeedHelpNow.ca: Provides support and resources for young people affected by the online sharing of sexual images or videos.