Texting, emailing, and sharing images on social media or apps—everyone does it. It’s part of everyday life. But sometimes, these actions cross the line and become illegal. And that can lead to serious consequences. Here’s what you need to know.
What is cyberbullying?
Cyberbullying means bullying a person using technology, such as social networks, email, forums, blogs or text messages. It can be devastating for the victims. This is why the law makes some kinds of behaviour illegal.
Examples of illegal behaviour
Cyberbullying can be a crime, depending on the situation and the type of bullying. Here are a few examples :
Camille sends dozens of mean emails to Pablo
It’s illegal to harass someone by sending them messages that make them fear for their safety. Camille could be questioned by the police and even charged with criminal harassment.
Felix makes a fool of Olivia on Facebook
It’s against the law to harm someone’s reputation by saying or publishing things that could make others hate, dislike, or mock them.
It’s also illegal to write serious insults about someone. This behaviour can be a crime known as defamatory libel.
Felix could be charged for his posts.
Zoe sends Aïcha a text message threatening to attack her after school
It’s against the law to threaten to kill someone, hurt them, or damage their belongings.
Zoe could be charged with making threats or trying to intimidate someone. It doesn’t matter if she actually plans to go through with the threat. What matters is that Alice feels scared and takes it seriously.
If Zoe made the threat to get something from Alice, she could even be charged with extortion.
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Bullying at school, at work… Threats, intimidation, harassment and extorsion can also happen offline: at school, at work, or in a park, for example. |
William shares intimate pictures of his ex on Twitter, without her consent
It’s illegal to post or share intimate images of someone without their consent.
What is an intimate image? It’s a photo or video that shows certain body parts, like breasts or genitals. It can also be a photo or video that shows sexual activity, —like two people having sex.
William is committing a crime called the publication of an intimate image without consent.
Important! When the intimate images are of a minor (someone under 18), this could also be the crime of distributing child pornography.
Justine tells a student from her school to commit suicide
It’s against the law to strongly encourage someone to kill themselves. This behaviour could be the crime of counselling suicide.
This behaviour can lead to consequences
A teenager who cyberbullies someone can be arrested, face criminal charges and receive a youth sentence. These accusations could have a long-term impact.
Important! In addition to facing criminal charges, someone who cyberbullies someone else can be sued in a civil court and ordered to pay them damages (money).
For example, posting pictures or videos of someone without their agreement violates their right to control images of themselves and their right to privacy. The victim has the right to ask for compensation.
It’s different when the images being shared are intimate images, like a nude photo or video. In that case, the court can order the person to stop sharing the image or to destroy it. If they don’t follow the order, they could be fined between $500 and $5,000 for each day they ignore it.
If you share an intimate image of someone without their consent, you can also be charged with a crime.
If You Are a Victim of Cyberbullying
Talk to an adult you trust (for example, a parent, teacher, older brother or sister). Remember that your school has a duty to act, even if the bullying takes place online.
Find out about resources that can help you:
- Tel-jeunes, by phone (1-800-263-2266), text (514-600-1002) or online chat
- Kids Help Phone, by telephone (1-800-668-6868) or online chat
- Need Help Now – support and advice to stop the spread of sexual pictures or videos
- Cybertip.ca – advice on internet safety and to report online sexual abuse of children
- Suicide Prevention Centre of Montreal, by phone (1-866-277-3553), by text or online chat.
Learn about your rights
You can report a crime to the police. You can also sue the person who shared an intimate image at the Court of Quebec to ask them to stop sharing the image or to destroy it.