The Effects of Cyberbullying on Children

Social media platforms and the internet as a whole can be a dangerous place for children. Probably the first thing that comes to mind is protecting your children from predators. But sometimes, the predators are actually your child’s peers. 

Cyberbullying has become a serious issue in Toronto and across Ontario. We’ve all heard stories of children who were bullied so severely that they eventually took their own life. Still, many parents are under the impression that nothing like that could ever happen to their children. 

If more parents understood the seriousness of cyberbullying, and the steps they could take to put a stop to it, perhaps more children’s lives could be saved.

The Magnitude of Cyberbullying

First, it is important that you understand what constitutes cyberbullying, so you have a better idea of the various ways your child could be tormented. Some of the most common forms of cyberbullying include:

• Harassment
• Cyberstalking
• Masquerading
• Trolling
• Exclusion
• Doxing (i.e. outing)
• “Fraping”
• Flaming
• Trickery and deception
• Revenge porn

When a child is subjected to any of these types of cyberbullying, the results can be catastrophic. Children’s reputations are often ruined in their schools, which can then lead to:

• Social isolation
• Weight loss or gain
• Depression
• Anxiety
• PTSD
• Self-harm
• Substance abuse
• Suicidal ideation or thoughts
• Suicide

Telling your child to “get over it” or not taking their concerns seriously could be devastating for their physical and mental health. Instead, it is important that you try to document everything your child has been through and any steps you might have taken to try to remedy the situation with their school or the bully’s parents, as this could be beneficial if you choose to file a personal injury lawsuit. 

What You Can to Do Empower Your Child

Parents will often try to go to the child’s school to speak with the principal or teachers about what their child has been subjected to. But when it comes to cyberbullying, schools often opt not to get involved, since the children are often using their own cell phones or computers at home to cyberbully. 

The good news is that you can do something about it. Filing a lawsuit against your child’s bully could empower your child and make them feel as though something is finally being done to stop the cyberbullying. Any claim filed will likely be against the bully’s parents or the school your child attended depending on the circumstances of your case. 

Holding the parents or school accountable could not only put a stop to the cyberbullying your own child endured, but it may prevent other children and students from being subjected to the same torment. 

Get Help from a Toronto Cyberbullying Lawyer

If your child is being cyberbullied and you are unsure where to turn or what to do next, contact an experienced Toronto cyberbullying lawyer at Jasmine Daya & Co. to discuss your options. Schedule a free case review by filling out the quick contact form below or calling 416-967-9100 when you are ready to bring your child’s bully to justice.