Breaking the Cycle of Youth Cyberbullying
Breaking the Cycle of Youth Cyberbullying (BTC) is a four-year intervention research project designed and developed by MediaSmarts. This project aims to develop, pilot, adapt and disseminate a culturally safe, evidence-informed cyberbullying prevention program for youth ages 12 to 17 in schools and community settings across Canada.
The BTC program is designed to address cyberbullying and online violence through a whole-school approach, classroom-based learning, community programming and targeted support for youth with greater exposure to violence. Grounded in digital media literacy and informed by youth perspectives, the project seeks to challenge the social norms that make cyberbullying seem acceptable while building skills for emotional regulation, conflict resolution and positive online engagement.
In this report, we detail the methodology and findings from a needs assessment conducted in March and April 2026. Findings from this study will directly inform the development of the BTC program and contribute to evidence-based approaches for supporting youth, families, educators and community practitioners.