Amanda Todd and the risk of cyber-bullying


According to
Bullying Education only about 13.6% of students report cyber-bullying while  70% of students experience some sort of harassment during the course of their education. 

“My Story: Struggling, Bullying, Suicide & Self-Harm”

Amanda Todd a 15-year-old student living in Port Coquitlam, British Columbia, was found dead in her home on October 10, 2012 from a suspected suicide.  Todd who had a history of anxiety and depression uploaded a YouTube Video detailing her struggle with bullying, substance abuse, and psychological problems. Todd’s bullying began after she reportedly exposed her breasts to a man in a video-chat room. The man, through a lack of child solicitation pornography laws in Canada, was able to use the photo as blackmail and circulate the photo to her peers through Facebook. This exploitation is alarming given that Todd was only 12-years-old at the time, and the suspected perpetrator is a 32-year-old man. Groups working to end child pornography are alarmed by this case and the cyber-bullying that was to follow as a result.

Anti-Bullying Education and Cyber-Bullying

Detailed in the video, Todd describes the hateful messages she received through Facebook, and the physical bullying she endured as a result of a situation involving a male peer and his girlfriend. Cyber-bullying given its indirect nature, and since it often takes place off of school grounds and after school hours, is chronically underreported.  The National Child Traumatic Stress Network along with The National Bullying Prevention Center are working to raise awareness during October’s Anti-Bullying Month. It is increasing important to make sure children aware of the dangers of online predators, and to ensure there is an open flow of communication about the social climate of schools today.

Young lives can be saved through the appropriate guidance support the Anti-Bullying Movement today.

Photo Courtesy of meg.reilly