On the last Wednesday of February, Canadians can come together for Pink Shirt Day to take a stand against bullying. The fight against hateful and violent words and acts is not limited to schools, homes or workplaces. Bullying is prohibited everywhere, including online, and can have serious consequences.
Cyberbullying can be a crime
Cyberbullying is bullying that happens through technology, like social media.
Like bullying, cyberbullying can be a crime. You can face criminal charges if you send violent or hateful messages to a person online. Cyberbullying can include
- text messages that cause a person fear for their safety or the safety of their loved ones,
- public posts or comments that are intended to harm a person’s reputation or that are verbally abusive.
Anyone experiencing cyberbullying can report it to the police.
… and a fault under civil law
A person who is victim of cyberbullying could also sue you in civil court for publishing violent or hateful content about them.
In this case, the court will determine whether you committed a fault. To do this, the court will consider whether a “reasonable person” would have made similar comments in the same context or if you intended to cause harm.
The court will also determine whether your actions or words have, in fact, caused harm to the other person. For example, they will assess whether your actions or words have caused damage to the person’s reputation, anxiety, sleep problems, or fear.
If the court determines that you’ve committed a fault with your actions or words and that they’ve caused damage, you could have to pay financial compensation to the person to repair the damage. This financial compensation could amount to several thousand dollars.
Stay aware of legal changes
Cyberbullying laws in Canada may change soon. On February 26, 2024, the federal government announced a new bill against harmful acts online.
Until May 2025, the government of Quebec is also holding a special commission to study the impacts of social media on youth, including the risks related to cyberbullying.
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Are you or someone close to you experiencing bullying or cyberbullying? There are resources to help you. People under 18 can reach out to organizations like Tel-Jeunes or Kids Help Phone (Jeunesse, j’écoute). The government of Quebec also offers many helpful resources for the general public. |