65%of young people said

they have been bullied online before (Kids Help

Phone Survey)

What is cyberbullying?If someone is using technology such as cell phones or computers to intimidate or harass a child you care about, that child is being cyberbullied. Cyberbullying may include:

• Harassingor threateningsomeone throughinstant messages (IMs), phone calls, textmessages,oremails,eitherwithinoroutsidethehockeyenvironment

• Posting private or embarrassing photosonline

• Startingawebsite that ratesor disparagessomeone’s hockey ability, be it a player,coachorofficial

• Verballyabusingotherplayersinmultiplayeronline games, internet-connected consolegames,andvirtualworlds

• Creating fake Facebook or Twitter accountsthat ridicule or demean other players,coachesorofficials

• Stealing someone’s password and thenimpersonatingthemonline

• Spreadinglies,rumoursorsecretsonline

Talking to a child about cyberbullyingManyyoungplayerskeepcyberbullyingsecretfromadultsbecausetheyareafraidoflosingtheirphoneorcomputerprivileges.Still,discussingthesituationwithanadult-aparent,guardianorcoach-isaplayer’sfirststeptowardendingtheharassment.

If youare theplayer’sparent,guardianor coach, reassure themthatyouwon’t takeaway theirphoneoronlineprivilegesbecausetheyarebeingcyberbullied.Nomatterwhatyourrelationshiptoaplayer,avoidreactingwithobviousfearordisappointment–thiswilljustmakethemfeeljudgedandmorealone.

As a parent, guardian or coach, you should develop rulesaroundethicalonlinebehaviourfortheplayersthatyoucareabout.Forexample,youcouldtellthemthatnooneshouldusetheinternettospreadgossip,bullyormakethreatsagainstothers.Also,everyoneshouldaskpermissionbeforetheypostandtagphotosofothersontheirsocialnetworkingpages.It isalso importanttotellplayerstokeeppasswordssecret,evenfromfriends.

Is cyberbullying dangerous? Cyberbullyingcanbeveryemotionallydam-aging,particularlyasyoungplayersareof-ten reluctant to avoid technology. Playerswho cyberbully can reach others any timeorplace(aslongasaphoneorcomputerison). Because of the anonymous nature ofthe internet, cyberbullying (for example,abusive rumours), can spread quickly andwidely,allwhileremainingunknowntothepersonbeingtargeted.

CyberbullyingAdults

What you need to know

Teach players these four steps for responding to cyberbullying:

What to do if you know a player being cyberbulliedAct immediately. Playersneedtoknowthatyoucanandwillhelp.Ifthepersondoingthecyberbullyingisanotherplayer,considerreportingittothelocalminorhockeyassociationorleague.Ifyoufeelthataplayerisphysicallyatriskasaresultofcyberbullying,callthepoliceatonce.

Stay aware. Keepcomputersincentrallocationswhereyoucanseethem.

Be supportive. Don’tminimizewhataplayerwho isbeingcyberbulliedis going through. Listen to them, try to understand the impact thecyberbullying ishavingonthem,andassurethemthatyouareontheirside.

How can I tell if a player is being cyberbullied? Kids and teens who are being cyberbullied may:

• Seemupsetwhenonline• Avoid the computer or quickly turn off the computer when adults

approach• Seemreluctanttogotoschool• Appearwithdrawn,anxiousordepressed

Itmightbetemptingtoreplytoacyberbullyingmessage,butit’sbetternottoretaliate.

1. STOPDon’t delete themessage. Having a record canhelpaplayerprovewhathappened.

2. SAVE

Most websites – especially social networkingsites, instantmessaging services and forums –will letaplayerblockuserswhosebehaviour isinappropriateorthreatening.

3. BLOCKTeach players to tell a parent, guardian orcoachwhenevertheyarebeingcyberbullied.

4. TELL

This Tip Sheet was developed by Kids Help Phone in partnership with Hockey Canada and with the support of PREVNet.