Cyberbullying

This section should be read in conjunction with the Board Policy Manual (Policy: 5.092) and the Child Protection Policy

• Bullying and harassment can take many forms. Bullying carried out through the use of information and communication technologies such as text, social network sites, email, instant messaging (IM), apps, gaming sites, chatrooms and other online technologies is considered as cyberbullying. This includes (but not limited to):
• Sending or posting a humiliating, hurtful or offensive message, statement, or image on a private or on a public online platform (that can be viewed and/or repeated by others or not) that may cause embarrassment, pain, fear or discomfort to the victim.
• Flaming and trolling: sending or posting hostile messages to “inflame” the victim and start a conflict.
• Happy slapping: recording and then posting a humiliating picture or video of the victim for others to see.
• Identity theft: stealing the victim’s passwords or taking over their online account and using it to send or post incriminating or humiliating pictures or videos online.
• Photoshopping: altering a digital image of the victim and sending or posting that image, putting the victim in an embarrassing situation.
• Physical threats: sending a threatening message making the victim fear for their safety or well-being.
• Rumor spreading: spreading rumors and gossip through email, text messaging, or social networking sites that may be hurtful to the victim.
• Encouraging, participating, maliciously commenting on any act of cyberbullying, even if not the initiator.