The Criminal Code of Canada and the Canadian Human Rights Commission each have codes and laws that address crimes associated with cyber bullying.

A common misunderstanding by potential abusers of online and wireless technology is that because they can?t be seen they can?t be caught. Even greater is the myth that wireless words are exempt from the law. Sadly, many people do not realize that what they are texting in haste may actually be hate, which is a punishable offense.

Even if said in jest, the written word lacks the intonation and body language of the spoken word. This often results in a flourish of misunderstandings, misinterpretations, and hurt feelings. Angry messages sent in haste and without forethought are often hurtful and spiteful to the recipient. Like the spoken word, the written word can not be taken back. The written word also carries a heavier responsibility; once it is published it is available for everyone in the world to read. Consider the following before hitting SEND:

Defamatory Libel
In the Criminal Code of Canada the punishment for being found guilty of publishing material known to be false and harmful to a person?s reputation is up to 5 years imprisonment. This includes publishing a Web page or posting on a newsgroup untrue statements about a person that could entice other people to ridicule or perpetuate the untruths about this person.

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Read more at Suite101: It Is Against the Law to Bully: The Legal Ramifications of Cyber Bullying http://www.suite101.com/content/it-is-against-the-law-to-bully-a55728#ixzz1Arf2Jlzu