I’ve been slacking off on the blog this year, gang. Ever since December of last year, I’ve been meaning to blog my thoughts about Bill C-13, which the Canadian government has dubbed the “Cyber-bullying Bill”.
Chances are if you follow this blog, you know that I care a lot about the issue of revenge porn (i.e. sharing intimate images of somebody without their consent). Late last year, after an opposition MP introduced a private members bill to prohibit revenge porn, our Conservative government introduced their own. It is very likely this legislation will pass.
Since I’ve been arguing for a year that we need criminal legislation to address this issue, you’d think I would be happy about this development. I am not. Find out why by watching this episode of CANADALAND with Jesse Brown, in which I lay out the issues with the so-called “Cyber-bullying Bill,” Bill C-13. SPOILER ALERT: they should really be calling it the Surveillance Bill.
Steph Guthrie 
I agree that cyber-bullying goes beyond what this bill is stating. I think you bring to light a lot of important fine details that could make things complicated (ie: original consent to a picture).
I am wondering about something you said about cyber-bullying and how you shouldn’t “legislate people being mean to each other.” Personally, I view bullying (in-person and online) as being harassment which was stated in the video as being illegal. The extent to which some people go to make another feel horrible and unsafe I believe is criminal. Being mean and pushing someone to feel that suicide is the only way to escape what is happening are VERY different things.
I’m wondering if the therm “bullying” is becoming to light of a word. Children bully and adults harass? The behaviour should always be unacceptable.
I do not think children should be charged with child pornography. that is a disgusting crime to be accused of at an age where majority of them can’t understand what they are doing (speaking from a brain development perspective). As you mentioned, there is no legislation that appropriately deals with this issue and this needs to be created.