Did you know that 39% of Canadian youth have either experienced or witnessed cyberbulling?

What do you do if you witness cyberbullying? Research shows that witnesses to bullying can be just as damaging as the perpetrator. This is especially important with cyberbullying as there are countless "invisible" witnesses online. 

Here is a list of things you can do that kids who have been targets of bullying say usually make things better:

• spend time with the victim
• talk to the victim and encourage him or her
• help him or her get out of the situation (watching and laughing is just as bad as being the bully)
• give advice
• distract the bully
• help  tell a trusted adult
• tell an adult you trust

Now go to the FORUM:  Cyberbullying on the front page of the course and answer the questions on cyberbullying and becoming an active witness.  Then respond to another student's post.

1. Do you know anyone who has been bullied online? Have you ever been bullied online? What effects can cyberbullying have on the victim?

2. How is cyberbullying different from other forms of bullying? Why do you think some people bully others online?

3. What is the best way to take away a bully's power over you? What is the worst way to react to cyberbullying?

4. How does it make you feel when you see someone else being bullied? Does bullying behavior make the bully more or less popular?

There are TWO activities in a FORUM:

1. Start a new discussion topic by clicking on Add a new discussion topic.
2. Reply/Respond to someone else's discussion topic by clicking on their topic and selecting Reply.  Try using the following prompts to guide your response to another post.  "I wonder…"  "I know…"  "I can…"  Don't just agree or disagree.