Cyberbullying: what's the problem?

Cyberbullying has been a difficult problem for policy makers and observers to define. For some, cyberbullying is understood as a public health problem, while others view it largely as an education issue, and still others see it as a justice problem. In Canada, while the definition of cyberbullying continues to evolve, a nascent approach assumes that it is similar to traditional face-to-face bullying with computer-mediated communication as a new element. This definition is at odds with recent research on cyberbullying, which may have significant implications for policy makers seeking to design effective interventions. La cyberintimidation est un probleme difficile a definir tant pour les decideurs de politiques que pour les observateurs. Certains interpretent la cyberintimidation comme un probleme de sante publique, pour d'autres, il s'agit principalement d'une question d'education, tandis que d'autres encore y voient un probleme de justice. Au Canada, alors que la definition de la cyberintimidation continue d'evoluer, une nouvelle approche considere qu'elle est semblable a l'intimidation traditionnelle en face a face, mais comporte un nouvel element de communication electronique. Cette definition contredit la recherche recente sur la cyberintimidation, ce qui pourrait avoir des repercussions importantes pour les responsables politiques qui cherchent a concevoir des interventions efficaces.
Introduction The risk of teen suicide through cyberbullying has emerged as a major policy issue in Canada. The Federal Justice Minister has committed to 'holistic' legislation that will produce a [...]