This month, the LCSD Mental Health Matters Campaign is focusing on Bullying Awareness.
On this page you will find resources about bullying - from how to identify if your child is being bullied, to what to do if your child is the bully.
What is Bullying?
Bullying is when someone hurts or scares another person intentionally. It can be physical, emotional, or mental.
What it can look like:
- Punching, shoving and other acts that hurt people physically
- Spreading bad rumours about people
- Keeping certain people out of a group
- Teasing people in a mean way
- Getting certain people to “gang up” on others
- Sharing intimate images without consent
- Harassment over social media, in-person, or other means
Common Types:
- Verbal Bullying - name calling, sarcasm, teasing, spreading rumours, threats, negative references towards someone's culture, ethnicity, race, religion, sexual orientation
- Social Bullying - mobbing, scapegoating exclusion, put downs, humiliation
- Physical Bullying - pushing, shoving, hitting, kicking, poking, unwanted sexual touching, chasing, coercing, destroying personal belongings
- Cyberbullying - Using the internet or text messaging to intimidate, belittle, spread rumours, or make fun of someone. This includes sharing intimate images without consent.
At least 1 in 3 Canadian adolescent students have reported being bullied
What you can do
If you're a victim of bullying:
- Don't be afraid to reach out for help
- Walk away
- Talk to someone you trust
- Say something nice to the bully - it could distract them
- Stay in groups to avoid confrontation
- Block the bully on social media and other online platforms
- Ignore the bully
- Remind yourself that you are a good person and are worthy of respect
If you're a bystander:
- Tell a teacher
- Move toward/next to the victim
- Tell the bully to stop
- Lead the victim away from the situation
If you're the bully:
- Get help - talk to a teacher, counsellor, or parent
- Think about how you would feel if you were the victim
- Consider the victim's feelings
Cyberbullying
What is it?
It's bullying that takes place over digital devices such as cell phones, computers, and tablets. It can happen over SMS, text, apps, online games, social media, email, and forums.
Cyberbullying includes:
- Sending, posting, sharing negative, harmful, or false information about someone
- Sharing personal or private information about someone resulting in embarrassment or humiliation
- Sharing intimate images or videos of someone without their consent
What can I do?
If you are being cyberbullied:
- Break off contact - Do not respond or forward any posts or messages from the bully and block them on all platforms
- Protect yourself - Only share passwords with adults that you trust, learn how to use the privacy settings on your phone and social media accounts, keep personal information private, and be careful what images you choose to share online
- If you have already shared an image or video you would like to have removed, visit NeedHelpNow.ca for steps to get it off the internet
- Get help - Remember you are not alone, if you need to talk call Kids Help Phone.
- Report the Bully - If you feel threatened or a crime has been committed - call the police, keep a log of all texts, messages, emails, or posts, and report the incident to the social media site where the bullying has happened
If someone you know is being cyberbullied:
- Watch for signs - This can include your friend avoiding or spending too much time on their computer, phone, or other device, they seem upset, withdrawn or angry, they become secretive about online activities, they receive a lot of new texts, messages, or emails, they suddenly delete their social media accounts, they fall behind on their schoolwork or avoid school, social events, and other activities, and they don't feel like eating or have trouble sleeping
- Support them - Remind them this isn't their fault and you are there for them, ask your friend if they need help, help your friend talk to a trusted adult, and check back with them to see how they're doing
- Speak up - Ask someone to stop if it's safe to do so, or speak to a trusted adult
- Get help, report abuse - Contact Kids Help Phone if they need to talk to someone, suggest reporting the bullying, report to abuse to the social media site where it's taking place
If your friend is a cyberbully:
- Say something - Stand up against the online bullying, call out the cyberbullying online, make your friend aware of the potential legal consequences of cyberbullying
- Support the person being bullied - Delete or refuse to share cyberbullying messages, posts, images, or videos, reach out to the victim if you know them
- Seek help - Contact Kids Help Phone, or if you feel physical threats have been made, the victim's safety is at risk, or a crime has been committed, tell an adult or contact the police
Learn more about cyberbullying here.
Pink Shirt Day
On February 23, communities across Canada participate in Pink Shirt Day, a day dedicated to raising awareness about bullying. Staff and students will wear pink to show their support for the cause.
Click the various links below for more information.