From their first tablet to their first phone, kids today are growing up online. While digital spaces help children learn and connect, they also expose them to new kinds of challenges – especially cyberbullying. Cyberbullying is a serious issue in Canada, especially among young people, and can have both immediate and lasting effects on their well-being, safety, and academic achievement.
What is Cyberbullying?
Cyberbullying is when someone uses technology to embarrass, threaten, sexually harass, or socially exclude others. Examples include:
- Insulting someone by calling them names or posting embarrassing images or comments.
- Spreading rumours about somebody online.
- Impersonating or pretending to be another person to cause harm.
- Sending unsolicited sexual photos or texts.
Cyberbullying can happen through text messages, group chats, gaming or social media sites like TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat, and Discord. As technology advances, our understanding of cyberbullying must also adapt. Even small acts online can have a big emotional impact on children –and parents are often the first to notice when something feels off.
Parents and Teachers Can Make a Difference!
You don’t have to be a tech expert to help your child stay safe online! Parents and teachers have a powerful role in preventing and addressing cyberbullying. When adults understand that digital safety helps, they can take action- guiding their children to report or block the perpetrator and offering vital emotional support. This encouragement helps children cope with the stress of witnessing or being exposed to cyberbullying. Yet many adults want to help but are not sure what to say or do when youth face online problems. That’s why the Youth Digital Compass team is creating engaging multimedia tools for youth, parents and teachers.
Your toolkit is only a click away!
Visit the Youth Digital Compass website for free, easy-to-use resources designed with kids – and parents – in mind. The Youth Digital Compass, led by Professor Victoria Talwar at McGill University in partnership with BRP’s Ride Out Intimidation program, develops research-based tools to help youth, parents, and teachers navigate online life safely, kindly, and confidently.
Launched in October 2025, Youth Digital Compass offers free and easy-to-use multimedia tools specifically designed for and with young people, including videos, infographics and activities that focus on topics such as:
- Understanding what cyberbullying is and how it happens.
- Staying safe and protecting against digital risks.
- Being an upstander in positive, practical ways
- Promoting kindness, respect, and positive online communities.
We also support the adults in young people’s lives. We created materials for parents, including:
- Short videos that explain cyberbullying in kid-friendly terms
- Tips for talking to your child about online safety
- Guidance on digital etiquette
- Guidance on popular apps like TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat, and Discord.
The journey to raising safe, confident digital citizens doesn’t end here. With ongoing support from BRP’s Ride Out Intimidation program, our team is developing new, easy-to-use tools for families and educators.
Explore our free resources at youthdigitalcompass.com and join our community online for practical tips and updates.
Together, we can help our children grow into confident, kind digital citizens.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Youth-Digital-Compass/61580137401387/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/youth-digital-compass/about/?viewAsMember=true
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@youthdigitalcompass?lang=en
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/youthdigitalcompass?igsh=ZGRnbG4wemh0YmNw
