TELUS Wise presents

Dark Cloud | The high cost of cyberbullying

A TELUS Originals documentary

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Watch Dark Cloud now

Dark Cloud, a TELUS Originals documentary, tells the human story behind the growing epidemic of cyberbullying and a mother who, eight years after her daughter’s tragic suicide, continues to crusade against cyberbullying and helps parents prepare their children to face ubiquitous digital danger.

About the film

Dark Cloud examines a growing epidemic deeply affecting the mental, emotional and even physical well-being of today’s youth — the toll of cyberbullying and digital antagonism — through the eyes of Carol Todd. Carol is the mother of Amanda Todd, the B.C. teen whose suicide after two years of bullying, exacerbated by a cyberstalker, became a flashpoint for global action and gained her the label “The Girl Who Woke Up the World.”

Dark Cloud follows Carol’s ongoing fight for cyberbullying awareness, unfolding the much larger story, introducing us to families who have endured similar experiences and some of the most important anti-cyberbullying experts in Canada. Weaving their expertise and experience together, Dark Cloud illuminates the statistics, clarifies the long consequences of cyberbullying and shares insights into both cyberbullying's causes and its prevention.

About the filmmakers

Holly Dupej

Holly Dupej is an accomplished and versatile producer, director, writer and showrunner. Her work for TELUS, CBC and OMNI has included lifestyle, educational, and documentary programs, including a total of 220 half-hour episodes of broadcast television and the award-winning Secret Alberta series (CSA, Best Digital Series, 2017). 

Dupej is the VP of Production at Spotlight Productions and oversees short and longform documentaries each year, in addition to health and lifestyle projects.

Mathew Embry

Mathew Embry is one of the most prolific producer/directors in Canada. He has produced and directed non-fiction programs for TELUS,  Amazon Prime, Aljazeera, CBC, Global, CTV, HBO Canada, PBS, Animal Planet, OLN and Telefilm. 

Embry’s award-winning productions have screened at TIFF, Hot Docs and have been distributed internationally in multiple languages.


The alarming truth about cyberbullying in Canada

Did you know: 60% of Canadian youth have witnessed some form of cyberbullying in the last month, and a staggering one million youth experience it firsthand.  

Some may brush-off online cruelty as just drama, but cyberbullying is real and can have devastating consequences. Technology allows for cyberbullying to take place on a much larger and more public scale than “traditional” bullying, with the potential for numerous witnesses, greater humiliation, and possibly even more instigators. With its extended reach and around-the-clock nature, youth who are victimized by cyberbullying can feel like there is no escape.

Cyberbullying isn’t just sending mean messages - it's being cruel or intentionally embarrassing someone online, sharing or liking humiliating or intimate photos, spreading rumours, intentionally excluding someone, and even more.

We hope that Dark Cloud will drive critical conversation and awareness about cyberbullying, encourage Canadians to be kind and inclusive online, equip parents with the insights they need to support youth when dealing with cyberbullying, and ultimately help make our digital space a safer place.

About TELUS Wise

Empowering Canadians to stay safe in our digital world 

TELUS Wise® is a free digital literacy education program that offers informative workshops and resources to help Canadians of all ages have a positive experience as digital citizens. Workshops and resources cover topics including protecting your online security, privacy and reputation, rising above cyberbullying, and using technology responsibly.

Together we can #EndBullying

Support youth who experience cyberbullying

Over one million Canadian kids have been cyberbullied in the last four weeks. Research shows that parents and caregivers are the first place kids turn when faced with cyberbullying. Our #EndBullying resources provide parents, caregivers and those who support youth with the information needed to help navigate cyberbullying.