Inuvik RCMP have teamed up with the NT RCMP Internet Child Exploitation Unit in response to a series of reports of cyberbullying on the social media platform 'Tiktok.'
A number of parents reached out to Inuvik Drum with concerns about cyberbullying on the platform after several youth's videos were reposted on an accounted called @exposingInuvik28 with subtitles suggesting they commit suicide.
Lorainna Amos told Inuvik Drum her daughter showed her the video and she was appalled.
"My daughter came to me and told me that there was a Tiktok account made to bully her," said Amos. "They took a video from her Tiktok and captioned it, would anyone care if (alias withheld) #kms (kill myself) #abused.
"She is pretty sad, the school councillor reached out to her. And she has been home now for a couple days."
Amos added she had reached out to several other parents whose children were also suffering cyber abuse.
She noted other parents informed her they had been dealing with the verbal abuse for several months from a number of Tiktok accounts, running under the aliases @inuvik_slander, @exposing_inuvikkids , @exposing_inuvikkids2.0 and the latest @exposingInuvik28. Accounts attacking youth in Aklavik have also popped up, under the aliases @exposingak18 and @exposingak2021.
Amos added that since people began harassing her daughter online they have removed the app from her phone.
RCMP Internet Child Exploitation investigator Cpl. Sandi Nischk said parents needed to keep a close eye on their children's internet activity to help them avoid predation from online bullies.
“Everyone has a role in keeping kids safe online. Kids’ offline and online worlds are now interwoven," she said. "This is creating complex situations that many are facing, and are becoming increasingly difficult for them to manage. Educate yourself, be involved in children’s online activities and pass knowledge onto them.
"Teaching kids about online safety helps empower and equip them with skills and knowledge they need to stay safe and to be good digital citizens."
A 2018 study through Swansea University Medical School by Professor Ann John found that people under 25 years of age who are subject to cyberbullying are twice as likely to engage in self-harm and have suicidal thoughts. It also found the perpetrators of cyberbullying were also more likely to have suicidal thoughts and self harming behaviour.
Cyberbullying itself is not a criminal offense — however, the actions undertaken while bullying are and anyone calling for others to kill themselves online could faces charges including Criminal harassment; Uttering threats; Intimidation; Counselling suicide; Mischief in relation to data; Unauthorized use of computer; Identity fraud; Extortion; False messages, indecent or harassing telephone calls; Incitement of hatred; and, Defamatory libel.
As part of its response, RCMP have provided online documentation on how parents can protect their children online, resources to promote online safety, and the potential legal consequences of cyberbullying.
RCMP added anyone who has been subject to cyberbullying should contact Inuvik RCMP immediately at 777-1111 or online through Cybertip.ca .