Editorial
In an effort to curtail the rise of cyberbullying in Canada over the past decade, the federal government has introduced new legislation that is expected to pass into law this spring.
Under changes to the Criminal Code of Canada, a specific prohibition on the transmission of intimate images without the subject's permission will be put in place.
Including other new provisions, such as allowing courts to seize electronic devices used to commit cyberbullying, the new law is an important step being applauded by many stakeholders.
For example, in its recent monthly Journal editorial, the Canadian Medical Association (CMA) said toughening up the law is an important step that deserves to have the backing of physicians and other health-care professionals.
“Modernizing our laws to incorporate cyberbullying explicitly is a positive step to improve health and one that the medical profession should support,” the CMA said.
“This welcome new legislation will complement provincial initiatives to improve the ability of law enforcement to address the most serious forms of cyberbullying.”
Cyberbullying can involve taunting, teasing, harassing and belittling victims of all ages. Sadly, as some of the top users of Facebook, Twitter and other social media, young people are also most likely to be victimized.
Educators and health professionals have long said that bullying of any kind, including cyberbullying, can have very serious negative impacts on victims.
Cyberbullying has, for example, been linked to depression and alcohol and drug abuse, problems that, unfortunately, can sometimes carry on into adulthood.
“Cyberbullying is also associated with an increased risk of suicide, perhaps more so for girls,” the CMA said.
As well as applauding the new legislative efforts now before Parliament, the CMA says schools must also continue to lead the fight against cyberbullying through “education, prevention, monitoring and enforcement.”
And of course parents also have a role in making sure their children reject cyberbullying – teaching children that bullying in all forms is wrong and unwanted is every parent's and caregiver's responsibility and obligation.
The society-wide prevalence of personal computers, smartphones and other electronic devices probably now makes the outright elimination of cyberbullying an impossibility.
Yet as the CMA rightly points out, a community-wide effort involving young people, parents, teachers and health-care professionals can and will go a long way in helping limit cyberbullying in the months and years to come.
Hopefully this new anti cyberbullying legislation now before Parliament will pass into law without undue delay, helping better protect young people in every Canadian community in the process.
