TORONTO: Kaleed Rasheed, Member of Provincial Parliament for Mississauga East-Cooksville, has been championing the Stop Cyberbullying in Ontario Day Act, 2019, which proclaims the third Friday in June of each year as Stop Cyberbullying in Ontario Day.
Bill 154 passed third reading with the unanimous consent of the house on September 14th.
The Stop Cyberbully in Ontario Day Act received Royal Assent, formalizing it into law, on September 24th.
“I am overwhelmed by the support of my colleagues in the house and the positive feedback from the community regarding Bill 154,” said MPP Rasheed.
“It can be very challenging for parents and individuals to remain aware of all the critical issues impacting our communities. Cyberbullying is one of those insidious things that can occur under our noses. Taking the time to set aside a day to bring the very real challenge of cyberbullying into the spotlight will help raise awareness that resources exist to assist those struggling with it.”
Cyberbullying can have significant and lifelong physical and mental health effects on children and adults, as well as other personal and social consequences for victims and perpetrators. In extreme circumstances, the effects of cyberbullying can cost a life.
Stop Cyberbullying in Ontario Day aims to awareness and encourage discussion in schools and workplaces which will provide individuals of any age with the tools they need to protect themselves from cyberbullying.
“Cyberbullying is so common that it often isn’t recognized, leaving the victim to suffer silently. Awareness is a step towards prevention in starting the conversation on how we want to treat each other online.” Said Carol Reist, Executive Director of The Dam.
The Police Association of Ontario (PAO) also spoke in support of the bill. “At it’s extreme, cyberbullying can be responsible for someone taking their own life. This is appalling and intolerable, and real change needs to occur.
The known statistics may not accurately reflect the number of people that are cyberbullied.
• Cyberbullying consists of electronic communication that, directly or indirectly, causes or is likely to cause harm to another individual’s physical and mental health or wellbeing.
• It can include intimidation, threats, and harassment and can have significant and lifelong
negative effects on children and adults.
• Ontario has seen an increase in cases of cyberbullying.
• Overall, approximately one out of every five teenagers in the province have been the target of cyberbullying, and one out of every six has been a cyberbully at some point in their lifetimes.