FIVE Types of Cyberbullying that can take place on Social Media Social media platforms have become an integral part of our lives, connecting us with friends, family, and communities around the world. However, along with the benefits of social networking comes the dark reality of cyberbullying. Cyberbullying manifests in various forms, leaving victims emotionally distressed and psychologically scarred. Let’s delve into five types of cyberbullying that can occur on social media, shedding light on the tactics used and the impact they have on individuals.
What is cyberbullying
The use of electronic communication to bully a person, typically by sending messages of an intimidating or threatening nature.
FIVE Types of Cyberbullying that can take place on Social Media
Below, we will discuss five types of cyberbullying that can take place on social media, and how you can recognize and prevent them:
Harassment
Harassment is the most common form of cyberbullying on social media. It involves repeatedly sending offensive or hurtful messages, comments, or images to a person with the intent to upset, embarrass, or intimidate them. This can take the form of direct messages, public comments on posts, or tagging the target in offensive content. Harassment can lead to emotional distress, a damaged reputation, and even self-harm in extreme cases.
Impersonation
Impersonation is when someone creates a fake social media account in the name of another person, pretending to be them. They might use the victim’s real name, photos, and personal information to make the profile appear genuine. The imposter can then use the account to post derogatory or damaging content that appears to come from the victim, which can have severe consequences on their personal and professional life.
Outing and Doxing
Outing refers to the act of revealing someone’s personal or sensitive information online without their consent. Doxing is a more extreme form of outing, where the perpetrator intentionally searches for and publishes the victim’s private information, such as their home address, phone number, or workplace. Both outing and doxing can lead to embarrassment, harassment, or even physical threats from others who see the information.
Cyberstalking
Cyberstalking is a form of harassment that involves persistent, unwanted, and obsessive online attention directed towards an individual. It can include monitoring the victim’s online activities, sending them unwanted messages, or even using location-based services to track their whereabouts. Cyberstalking can escalate into real-life stalking, resulting in severe emotional distress, fear, and even physical harm.
Exclusion
Exclusion is a subtle but hurtful form of cyberbullying, where someone is deliberately left out of online social activities or group conversations. This can involve not inviting someone to a group chat or event, intentionally ignoring their messages, or blocking them from accessing shared content. Exclusion can lead to feelings of isolation, loneliness, and depression.