The Cybernation TimesAn Online Discussion Publication

Issue: 1 - Vol: 1 $ 1.50 + HST

What is PRIVACY?

Special Editorial: Rob Ford Caught Smoking Crack Again!! Page 6

March 31, 2014

Privacy is the state of “being alone or

kept apart from others” (Merriam-Web-

ster, 2014). Internet or online privacy is

the security level and privacy of per-

sonal data that is published or readily

available on the internet. It is a broad

term and can be referred to the differ-

ent varieties of techniques and tech-

nologies available that can be used to

protect a person’s sensitive and private

data. According to Techopedia (2014),

in this modern and digital age, the

public needs to be more aware and ed-

ucated on privacy rules, regulations,

etiquette, and risks because if an on-

line user’s password is compromised

and revealed, the victim's identity may

be fraudulently used or stolen. This is

especially concerning due to the

amount of users making online pur-

chases, and actively participating in so-

cial networking sites, online multiplay-

er games and/or blog and forums. Fur-

thermore, internet privacy and educa-

tion is even more paramount because

we are in a rapidly progressing modern

and digital world – especially with

statistics saying that 69% of teenagers

today, who are known to be impulsive

and careless, have their own computer

or high-tech device – with 80% of those

teens active in social media sites such

as, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram -

which also predisposes them to the

risk of being bullied online (Online Col-

lege.org, 2014).

So what does it have to do with YOU?

Well, we live in Canada, and recent

statistics are staggering and mind-

blowing when it comes to privacy and

the population’s perception of it. Keep

in mind that the most common reper-

cussion for privacy breaches for adults

(25+) is identity fraud which can result

in a myriad of losses - $$$, homes, cars,

properties, and businesses etc. Privacy

breaches, especially through social

media in teens, can result in cyberbul-

lying and low self- esteem, and if le"

untreated or without intervention, can

result in suicidal attempts with 4,500

teenagers succeeding in killing them-

selves every year (Online College.org,

2014).

So how ‘educated’ and aware is the

public on online privacy issues, risks,

and information? Here are the statis-

tics from the Office of the Privacy Com-

m i s s i o n e r o f C a n a d a ( 2 0 1 3 ) .

Interesting, to say the least.

2 Brian Canonigo's Discussion # 5

Let's Talk Statistics!

3Brian Canonigo's Discussion # 5

World News: Malaysian Plane Found on The Moon: Page 7

4 Brian Canonigo's Discussion # 5

Hollywood Section: Justin Bieber marries

Miley Cyrus in Mexico: Page 8

What is Cyberbullying?

What is Cyberbullying? And its rela-

tionship to Privacy?

It is the type of bullying that takes

place through inappropriate texts, ru-

mors sent by email or through social

media sites, embarrassing someone on

blogs or forums, ganging up on some-

one in online multimedia/games, send-

ing/circulating embarrassing pictures,

videos, websites, or creating fake on-

line profiles for the public to see (Stop-

Bullying.gov, 2014).

With the boom and increasing expan-

sion of social media, cyberbullying, es-

pecially in teenagers, has become a

widespread social problem. Cyberbul-

lying is tightly coupled with privacy- as

the strategies through which cyberbul-

lies can be prevented and identified of-

ten require knowledge of privacy op-

tions, rules or laws, and close surveil-

lance.

What are effects of cyberbullying?

Cyberbullying is relentless and mostly

anonymous – it can happen 24 hours a

day, 7 days a week, and reach a victim

even when he or she is alone. It can

happen any time of the day or night

and can be difficult, for parents and au-

thorities, to trace the source. Further-

m o r e , d e l e t i n g t h e h a r a s s i n g

messages, texts, and embarrassing pic-

tures is difficult a"er they have been

posted or circulated online (StopBully-

ing.gov, 2014).

In this modern digital age, with the

prevalence of mobile devices and the

use of social media, the bullying is no

longer restricted in the physical school

playground– it is easier to bully online

than in person because 90% of the

population ignores it. According to a

study, 42% of teenagers (14-24 yrs. old)

with tech access have been ‘cyberbul-

lied’ over the past year. This is an

alarming and staggering amount be-

cause 69% (and climbing yearly) of

teenagers today have their own com-

puter or high-tech device – with 80% of

those teens active in social media sites

such as, Facebook, Twitter, Vines,

World Star HipHop, and Instagram.

Furthermore, 1 in 10 teens with a Face-

book or social media account reports

being bullied on the site resulting in 1

in 10 of those teens ‘attempting’ to

commit suicide – which amounts to

4,500 teens who succeed and die every

year (Online College.org, 2014).

What is Canada doing to reduce cy-

berbullying?

With the unnecessary deaths of recent

cyber bullying victims, Amanda Todd

and Rehtaeh Parsons, the Canadian

Federal Government unveiled a new

legislation called Bill C-13 – giving po-

lice a greater ability to investigate on-

line bullying incidents, and by granting

the courts power to seize computers,

phones, and other devices used in an

‘alleged’ offence. Anyone found guilty

of online violation/cyber bullying could

face up to 5 years in prison (Canadian

Broadcasting Corporation, 2014).

5Brian Canonigo's Discussion # 5

References

Canadian Broadcasting Corporation.

(2014). New Cyberbullying Law has

'Larger Agenda, Expands Police Powers.

Retrieved from: http://www.cbc.ca/

news/canada/new-cyberbullying-law-

has-larger-agenda-expands-police-

powers-1.2434797

Merriam-Webster. (2014). Privacy. Re-

trieved from:

http://www.merriam-webster.com/the-

saurus/privacy

PinOpinion. (2014). Do You Worry About

Online Privacy?. Retrieved from: http://

www.pinopinion.com/topic/29/do-you-

worry-about-online-privacy-

Office of the Privacy Commissioner of

Canada. (2013). Survey of Canadians on

Privacy-Related Issues. Retrieved from:

http://www.priv.gc.ca/information/

por-rop/2013/por_2013_01_e.asp

O n l i n e C o l l e g e . o r g . ( 2 0 1 4 ) .

Cyberbullied: How Bullies Have Moved

From The Playground To The Web. Re-

t r i e v e d f r o m : h t t p : / / r a c k .

1.mshcdn.com/media/ZgkyMDEyLzA-

3LzA4LzE1XzQwXzIyXzc2NV9maWxlC-

nAJdGh1bWIJMTIwMHg5NjAwPg/2fe-

fa2a1

Rainie, L, Kiesler, S., Kang, R., & Mad-

den, M. (2013). Anonymity, Privacy, and

Security Online. Retrieved from: http://

www.pewinternet.org /2013/09/05/

anonymity-privacy-and-security-

online/

StopBullying.gov. (2014). What is Cyber-

bullying?. Retrieved from:

http://www.stopbullying.gov/cyberbul-

lying/what-is-it/

WestCork Times. (2014). Make Your

Voice Heard on Cyberbullying. Retrieved

from: http://westcorktimes.com/

home/make-your-voice-heard-on-cy-

berbullying/

World Future Society. (2012). Cyberbul-

lying and Privacy Issues in Social

M e d i a . R e t r i e v e d f r o m : h t t p : / /

www.wfs.org/worldfuture-2012/ses-

sions/cyberbullying-and-privacy-

issues-social-media

6 Brian Canonigo's Discussion # 5

7Brian Canonigo's Discussion # 5

8 Brian Canonigo's Discussion # 5