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Royal Canadian Mounted Police

Just the facts: Cyberbullying

30% of young Canadians have reported being cyberbullied.
Image by Envato

September 14, 2026

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Did you know? 30% of young Canadians have reported being cyberbullied.

Social media sites and text messaging have allowed bullying to enter cyberspace and follow victims wherever they have their phone.

What is it

  • Cyberbullying involves using computers, smartphones or other connected devices to embarrass, hurt, harass, mock or threaten someone online. It can be anonymous and follow a victim everywhere, at all times.
  • Instances of cyberbullying include someone posting an embarrassing photo of someone else, breaking into someone else's social media account and pretending to be them, and using information found online to harass an individual at home, school or work.
  • It can also take the form of gossip, exclusion, impersonation, stalking, threatening and trickery such as fooling someone into revealing secrets that are then shared
  • Cyberbullying can also involve the use of artificial intelligence (AI) and other online tactics, including:
    • Catfishing - Creating a fake identity using another person's information or images to deceive others online.
    • Deepfakes - AI-generated or digitally manipulated audio, video, or images that falsely portray a person's appearance, voice, or actions.
    • Dogpiling - Coordinated harassment in which a large number of people direct negative comments, criticism, or abuse toward an individual.
  • Canadian youth reported the most common type of cyberbullying as being threatened or insulted online or by text messages.

Who's affected

  • 31% of Canadian youth say they've been cyberbullied before.
  • Research finds that more than half of cyberbullies and victims know each other.
  • About 50% of youth and 30% of parents say they have witnessed cyberbullying directed at someone else.
  • Certain groups are more likely to experience cybervictimization, such as young people with poorer mental health, youth who are part of the 2SLGTBQIA+ community, and Indigenous youth.
  • 65% of youth say that they would tell a friend over a parent if they were being cyberbullied. They fear their devices will be taken away if they tell their parents, and don't feel that reporting cyberbullying is effective.

What are the effects

  • Cyberbullying can have a range of effects on a victim, including shame, anxiety, poor concentration, feelings of hopelessness and even self-harm or suicide. Cyberbullies themselves can also face negative effects, and may be at risk of relationship problems, substance use or criminal behaviour.
  • Signs a young person may be a victim of cyberbullying include:
    • Changes to the amount of time they spend online;
    • Being secretive about their online activities;
    • Appearing sad, frustrated or angry more than usual;
    • Having trouble sleeping or eating;
    • Lower grades or skipping school; and
    • Detachment from family and friends.
  • Nearly 75% of parents say cyberbullying stopped after they acted.

What's illegal

  • While less than 20% of cyberbullying incidents are reported to police, some actions are illegal and are considered offences under the Criminal Code. These include:
    • Criminal harassment such as texts, phone calls or emails that cause the other person to fear for their safety.
    • Child pornography including viewing, keeping and sharing intimate photos and videos of minors under the age of 18.
    • Sharing an intimate image without first obtaining the consent of the person depicted.
    • Uttering threats and extortion such as threatening to share someone's personal information to others if they don't do as told.
    • Identity theft and fraud such as creating a fake online profile to ruin someone's reputation.
    • Defamatory libel including spreading rumours about someone to hurt their reputation or cause others to treat them badly.

In 2026, Canada updated non-consensual image distribution laws to cover AI-generated sexual deepfakes by changing the definition of "intimate images" to include these kinds of computer-generated files. The new law increases the maximum punishment for violations from five years imprisonment to ten years. The legislation now also makes it a crime to threaten to distribute an intimate image, even if it is not actually shared.

What can I do if I'm cyberbullied

  • Do not respond to the texts or messages;
  • If the person is blackmailing you to do something, do not comply;
  • Screenshot messages to keep on record;
  • Block the user;
  • Adjust your privacy settings and only accept new friend requests from people you know;
  • Report the behaviour to a trusted adult, such as your teachers, parent or guardians, an Elder, or someone else that you trust;
  • Report the behaviour to the social media site, Cybertip.ca, and/or the police; and
  • Talk to someone you trust for support.

Where to find help and resources

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