Law won’t be effective, students tell senators

OTTAWA — A federal law designed to crack down on cyberbullies would have little effect on preventing online harassment, or stop teens from bullying each other online, students told a Senate committee Monday.

Anti- bullying experts have previously told the Senate’s human rights committee that enacting harsh punishments may do little to stop bullying online. Students from Calgary’s Springbank middle school said little to turn senators from that conclusion.

“Making a law about [ cyberbullying] ... I don’t think it would do much,” said student Mariel Calvo. “I don’t think [ teens] would listen.”

The minority in favour of enacting some kind of law argued teens would change their behaviour over time. Student Molly Turner said an anti- cyberbullying law may not resolve the issue immediately, but could over time as students realize there are consequences for online harassment.

Each student talked about raising awareness about cyberbullying, and making students more comfortable talking to their parents about what’s happening to them online.

“No matter how hard we try, bullying will always go on,” said Emilie Richards. “What we can do is make people bully- aware.”

The eight students, who appeared via video conference from their classroom — at times being interrupted by school announcements and recess bells — became some of the youngest people to testify before a Senate committee in recent history.