Panel Discussion - Likes, Lies & Lives at Risk: The Real Cost of Cyberbullying

Key Concepts:

• Cyberbullying/Cyber Violence: Evolving from simple bullying to criminal acts online.
• Digital Literacy: Understanding and navigating the digital world safely and responsibly.
• Victim Blaming: Holding the victim responsible for the cyber violence they experience.
• Resilience: The ability of youth to cope with and overcome negative online experiences.
• Online Harms: Exposure to hate speech, violent content, and targeted harassment.
• Algorithmic Amplification: How platform algorithms can exacerbate harm by rewarding outrage and engagement.
• Swatting: A form of harassment involving false emergency calls to trigger a police response at the victim's location.
• Deepfakes: AI-generated media used to impersonate or defame individuals.
• School Climate: The overall environment of a school, which can influence the prevalence of cyberbullying.

1. Current State of Cyberbullying:

• Evolution: Cyberbullying has evolved due to technology and AI, becoming more persistent, anonymous, and impactful on mental and financial health.
• Cyber Violence: Shannon Wait argues that "cyber bullying" should be reframed as "cyber violence" due to its criminal nature.
• Statistics (Early 2024):
  • Over 2300 hate crimes reported to police in the first 6 months, half of the total reported last year, indicating a doubling.
  • 48% of hate crimes target race, 29% religion, and 31% sexual orientation.
  • Over 41,000 cyber crimes reported, including identity theft/fraud (56%), extortion (6%), child pornography (16%), and harassment/threats (14%).
• Target Demographics: Women are highly targeted, with 18% in Canadian provinces experiencing unwanted sexual harassment online. 33% of these women are between 15 and 24, 30% are indigenous, and 50% are bisexual. 30% of all youth have experienced cyber violence. Teenage boys are more likely to inflict cyber violence (87%), but since the pandemic, boys now make up 53% of those sexually exploited online.
• Social Misconceptions: The belief that protecting oneself online prevents victimization is false. Victim blaming creates an atmosphere of acceptance. Disconnecting from technology doesn't stop cyber violence, as it can seep into the "real world."
• Rapidly Evolving Landscape: Ryan Brol expresses concern about the effects of AI, particularly deep fakes, on young people. The design of apps like Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat encourages addiction and increased online time, potentially leading to more cyberbullying.
• Structural Issues: Ashna Ali notes that cyberbullying is not just person-to-person but structural, with platforms designed to reward outrage and make accountability difficult. Youth in Canada (16-29) report online harms at rates 30-50% higher than the general population.

2. Responsibilities and Misconceptions:

• Misconceptions:
  • Cyberbullying is less harmful than other forms of bullying.
  • Cyberbullying is anonymous.
  • Logging off stops cyberbullying.
• Youth Perspective: Ashna Ali emphasizes that youth want digital literacy and open conversations about online harm without judgment.
• Ryan Brol: Cyberbullying is equally harmful as any other type of bullying. It's often not anonymous; the victim knows the perpetrator. Logging off and disconnecting does not stop cyber bullying.
• Shannon Wait: Highlights the need to address victim blaming and teach youth to recognize harmful ideologies. Dehumanization online leads to hate speech and mob mentality.

3. Tangible Solutions:

• Ryan Brol: Education is key, starting in early grades, focusing on digital literacy, digital citizenship, and empathy. Schools should spend more time teaching relationship skills.
• Shannon Wait: Removing the stigma and shame of being a victim, especially for boys and young males sexually exploited online. Shift the focus from blaming the victim to holding the predator accountable.
• Ashna Ali: Investing in the people side of things, especially in schools, facilitating spaces for young people to discuss online harm, consent, and boundaries. Tech should be built to prevent harm rather than react to it, with transparency and stronger protections against impersonation and anonymous abuse.

4. Digital Literacy:

• Shannon Wait: There's no specific age to start digital literacy. It's a family decision based on the youth's responsibility. Educate youth about online dangers and empower them to ask for help.
• Ashna Ali: Digital literacy should be a mandatory part of the curriculum, engaging both young people and parents.
• Ryan Brol: Digital literacy has to be age-graded. Build independent teens and young adults who can make good choices.

5. Recommendations for Victims:

• Ryan Brol: Cyberbullying involves a power imbalance. Involving parents or teachers can help shift that balance. Having someone in your corner is crucial.
• Ashna Ali: Fostering spaces where they feel safe to speak up.
• Shannon Wait: First line responders need to know how to handle cyber violence.

6. Addressing Mental Health Stigma:

• Ashna Ali: Fostering spaces where they feel safe to speak up.
• Ryan Brol: School climate is one of the strongest predictors of cyber bullying.
• Shannon Wait: Create awareness and make sure that they know that they don't have to put up with that bullying.

7. Synthesis/Conclusion:

Cyberbullying is a complex and evolving issue that requires a multi-faceted approach. It's not just a youth issue but a public issue involving ethical challenges and policy considerations. Solutions require collaboration between communities, schools, educational institutes, and tech platforms. Key takeaways include reframing cyberbullying as cyber violence, addressing victim blaming, promoting digital literacy and empathy, and creating safe spaces for victims to speak up. The central message is to speak out against cyberbullying and support victims, as silence only empowers the bullies.