What is Cyberbullying?

Cyberbullying is an umbrella term used to describe various kinds of online abuse, including harassment, doxing, reputation attacks, and revenge porn.

To constitute cyberbullying, the perpetrator uses technology such as computers, consoles, cell phones, and other devices with internet or social media access to harass, stalk, or abuse another person by instigating or participating in online hate campaigns. Although most media coverage suggests that cyberbullying is a problem exclusive to social media, it is also very problematic within the online gaming community.

Victims of cyberbullying often don’t know who is behind the accounts that are abusing them. Sometimes the victim can suspect who the bullies are but cannot prove it because trolling and bullying accounts often use the right to anonymity. Other times, complete strangers become aware of cyberbullying taking place and fall into a ‘mob mentality,’ contributing to and amplifying the bullying rather than helping the victim.

Cyberbullying is not exclusive to any specific demographic—everyone is now at risk of being a cyberbullying victim in some way.

Cyberbullying is bullying that happens over digital devices like cell phones, computers, and tablets. It can occur through SMS, text messages, apps, or online on social media, forums, or gaming platforms where people can view, participate in, or share content. Cyberbullying includes sending, posting, or sharing negative, harmful, false, or mean content about someone else. It can also involve sharing personal or private information about someone to cause embarrassment or humiliation. Some forms of cyberbullying cross the line into unlawful or criminal behavior.