Here are examples of cyberbullying Cyberbullying can include: Sending mean texts or IMs to someone Pranking someone’s cell phone Hacking into someone’s gaming or social networking profile Being rude or mean to someone in an online game Spreading secrets or rumours about people online Pretending to be someone else to spread hurtful messages online Harassing or threatening someone or sending mean messages through instant messages (IMs), phone calls, text messages or emails Three of Johnny’s teammates send texts to him, blaming him for the team’s loss and telling him that he does not know how to play the game. Johnny is afraid to tell his coach and parents so tolerates the bullying for the entire hockey season. He does not return to hockey the next season. Mike is a member of the hockey team and likes to turn other team members against Sarah, who is the only girl on the team. The entire team is friends on Facebook, but Mike talks most of the team into removing Sarah as a friend. This upsets Sarah and she decides she wants to quit hockey. Posting private or embarrassing photos online or sending them to others While traveling on the road with a junior team, one of the players takes an embarrassing photo of a girl that he met at the rink. He then posts the photo on Facebook and sends the photo to all of the other players on the team. The photo then gets distributed. Starting a website that rates someone’s appearance or popularity At the beginning of the season, a player who is upset that another player was named captain starts a new website about this person that is both degrading and insulting. At the same time, he invites visitors to the website to list all the things this person does wrong throughout the season. As time goes on, more and more negative and insulting posts accumulate on the site. Verbally abusing other players in multiplayer online games, Internet-connected console games and virtual worlds Terry constantly bullies a player on his team. One afternoon, as practice ends, Terry apologizes to the player and asks him to join an online game when he gets home. The bullied player is relieved as he thinks Terry is now his friend, but little does he know Terry is a “griefer,” which is a term given to those who make use of online games as a way to target others that are taking part in online gaming. Terry purposely sought out the other player as he played the game and targeted him. As well, not only did Terry attack the other player as part of the game, Terry also engaged in aggressive behaviour outside the parameters of the game, including sending threatening and harassing messages. This makes the player being bullied feel even worse and he no longer wants to be part of the hockey team. Creating fake Facebook or Twitter accounts that ridicule someone A junior hockey player is jealous of Jerry, who has been given extra ice time. He poses as a recruiter that is allegedly interested in Jerry, but is just trying to embarrass and disappoint the player. Stealing someone’s password and impersonating them online Two players access the coach’s email account and send a message to one of the other players on the team telling him he is released because he is a weak player. Spreading gossip, secrets or rumors about another person that will damage that person’s reputation A group of highly-motivated parents do not like the coach’s policy of equal ice times. They want to win at all costs. They create a plan to try and have the coach removed. They videotape the coach at practices and games and then digitally alter the video. They create a website in the coach’s name and post the materials. The coach is so upset, he quits. Engaging someone in instant messaging and tricking them into revealing personal information and then forwarding that information to others Linda has been a referee for two years; she is only 16 and is learning the skills to be an excellent referee. She has just finished refereeing a Novice game and the coach of one of the teams is not happy with the calls made. The kids on the team pick up on this and one of the kids who knows the referee, as she babysits for his family, tricks her into giving him her cell number. The player gives the number to all the players on the team and tells them to text her and tell her what a poor referee she is. The referee quits. Breaking into an email account and sending hurtful materials to others under an assumed identity Mike’s minor hockey team has a team Facebook page where the entire team can communicate throughout the hockey season. Before practice, Mike goes on the page and notices that one of the players, pretending to be an assistant coach, posted a rumor on the team page that Mike’s son, Gerry, made the team because his dad was the coach. Gerry has already seen the comment and decides he does not want to go to practice. Creating blogs or websites that have stories, cartoons, pictures or jokes ridiculing others Two parents get into a heated argument at the rink about the abilities of each other’s children. One of these parents writes a popular blog about being a hockey parent. That night, the blogger writes a pointed article about a “misguided parent” who cannot face the truth that his son doesn’t have what it takes to play at this level. The blog includes enough hints about the misguided parent’s identity that it is obvious to the whole community who was being attacked. NOTE: In these examples, cyberbullying impacting bystanders is not addressed. Often, bystanders either tacitly participate by not stepping in, or they feel uncomfortable by the bullying they are observing but not sure what to do. The examples shown here are fictitious in nature and the names given are simply created for the examples. Examples of Cyberbullying There are several types of bullying that can occur online, and they all look different. Harassment Harassment can include comments, text messages, or threatening emails all designed to make the person being cyberbullied feel scared, embarrassed, or ashamed of themselves. Other forms of harassment include:8 Using group chats as a way to gang up on one person Making derogatory comments about a person based on their race, gender, sexual orientation, economic status, or other characteristics Posting mean or untrue things on social media sites, such as Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram, as a way to publicly hurt the person experiencing the cyberbullying9 Impersonation A person may try to pretend to be the person they are cyberbullying to attempt to embarrass, shame, or hurt them publicly. Some examples of this include:8 Hacking into someone’s online profile and changing any part of it, whether it be a photo or their "About Me" portion, to something that is either harmful or inappropriate Catfishing, which is when a person creates a fake persona to trick someone into a relationship with them as a joke or for their own personal gain Making a fake profile using the screen name of their target to post inappropriate or rude remarks on other people’s pages Other Examples Not all forms of cyberbullying are the same, and there are other tactics used by cyberbullies to ensure that their target feels as bad as possible. Some tactics include:8 Taking nude or otherwise degrading photos of a person without their consent Sharing or posting nude pictures with a wide audience to embarrass the person they are cyberbullying Sharing personal information about a person on a public website that could cause them to feel unsafe Physically bullying someone in school and getting someone else to record it so that it can be watched and passed around later Circulating rumors about a person How to Know When a Joke Turns Into Cyberbullying In many cases, people may try to downplay cyberbullying by saying that it was just a joke. However, any incident that continues to make a person feel shame, hurt, or blatantly disrespected is not a joke and should be addressed. People who engage in cyberbullying tactics know that they’ve crossed these boundaries from being playful to being harmful.10 Effects and Consequences Research has shown that there are many negative effects of cyberbullying, some of which can lead to severe mental health issues. As previously mentioned, people who are cyberbullied are twice as likely to experience suicidal thoughts, actions, or behaviors and engage in self-harm as those who are not.4 Other negative health consequences of cyberbullying are: Depression Anxiety Stomach pain and digestive issues Sleep disturbances Difficulties with academics Violent behaviors High levels of stress Inability to feel safe Feelings of loneliness and isolation Feelings powerlessness and hopelessness However, there are things that can be done to help overcome cyberbullying experiences. Advice for Preteens and Teenagers The best thing you can do if you’re being cyberbullied is tell an adult that you trust. It may be difficult to start the conversation, because you may feel ashamed or embarrassed. However, if it is not addressed, it can get worse.10 Other ways you can cope with cyberbullying include:10 Walk away: Walking away online involves ignoring the bullies, taking a step back from your computer or phone, and finding something you enjoy doing to distract yourself from the bullying. Don’t retaliate: At the time, you may want to defend yourself. But engaging with the bullies can make matters worse. Keep evidence: Save all copies of the cyberbullying, whether it be posts, texts, or emails, and keep them if the bullying escalates and you need to report them. Report: You can report your bullies, especially if it’s done on social media. Social media sites take harassment seriously, and reporting them to site administrators may have the bully blocked from using the site. Table of Contents Cyberbullying Examples Effects How to Respond Action Cyberbullying is the act of intentionally and consistently mistreating or harassing someone through the use of electronic devices or other forms of electronic communication (like social media platforms).1 Because cyberbullying mostly affects children and adolescents, many people brush it off as just another part of growing up. But cyberbullying can have dire mental and emotional consequences if left unaddressed.2 This article discusses cyberbullying, its negative effects, and what can be done about it. Lonely teenage girl leaning on metallic locker. Sad female student is standing in corridor. She is at high school. FangXiaNuo / Getty Images Cyberbullying in the Digital Age The rise of digital communication methods has paved the way for a new type of bullying to form—one that takes place outside of the schoolyard. Cyberbullying tends to follow kids home, which can make it much more difficult to ignore or cope with. Statistics As many as 15% of young people between the ages of 12 and 18 have been cyberbullied at some point in their lives.3 However, according to the 2021 Cyberbullying Research Center survey, over 25% of children between the ages of 13 and 15 were cyberbullied in 2021 alone.2 According to the same survey, 6.2% of people admitted that they’ve engaged in cyberbullying at some point in the last year.2 The age at which a person is most likely to cyberbully one of their peers is 13. Those who are subject to online bullying are twice as likely to self-harm or attempt suicide.4 The percentage is much higher in young people who identify as LGBTQ, at 56%.5 Cyberbullying by Sex and Sexual Orientation Cyberbullying statistics differ among various groups, including:2 Girls and boys both reported similar numbers when asked if they have been cyberbullied, at 23.7% and 21.9%, respectively. LGBTQ adolescents report cyberbullying at higher rates, at 31.7%. According to other reports, up to 56% of young people who identify as LGBTQ have experienced cyberbullying.5 Transgender teens were the most likely to be cyberbullied, at the significantly high rate of 35.4%. Should Teen Girls Stop Using Instagram? State Laws The laws surrounding cyberbullying vary from state to state. However, all 50 states have developed and implemented certain policies or laws that are meant to protect children from being cyberbullied both in the classroom and outside of it. The laws were put into place so that students who are being cyberbullied at school can have access to support systems, and those who are being cyberbullied at home have a way to report the incidents.6 Examples of legal policies or programs developed to help stop cyberbullying include: Bullying prevention programs Cyberbullying education courses for teachers Procedures designed to investigate instances of cyberbullying Support systems for children that have been subject to cyberbullying Are There Federal Laws Against Cyberbullying? There are no federal laws or policies that protect people from cyberbullying. However, federal involvement may occur if the bullying overlaps with harassment. Federal law will get involved if the bullying is centered around a person’s race, ethnicity, national origin, sex, disability, or religion.6 Examples of Cyberbullying There are several types of bullying that can occur online, and they all look different. Harassment Harassment can include comments, text messages, or threatening emails all designed to make the person being cyberbullied feel scared, embarrassed, or ashamed of themselves.7 Other forms of harassment include:8 Using group chats as a way to gang up on one person Making derogatory comments about a person based on their race, gender, sexual orientation, economic status, or other characteristics Posting mean or untrue things on social media sites, such as Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram, as a way to publicly hurt the person experiencing the cyberbullying9 Impersonation A person may try to pretend to be the person they are cyberbullying to attempt to embarrass, shame, or hurt them publicly. Some examples of this include:8 Hacking into someone’s online profile and changing any part of it, whether it be a photo or their "About Me" portion, to something that is either harmful or inappropriate Catfishing, which is when a person creates a fake persona to trick someone into a relationship with them as a joke or for their own personal gain Making a fake profile using the screen name of their target to post inappropriate or rude remarks on other people’s pages Other Examples Not all forms of cyberbullying are the same, and there are other tactics used by cyberbullies to ensure that their target feels as bad as possible. Some tactics include:8 Taking nude or otherwise degrading photos of a person without their consent Sharing or posting nude pictures with a wide audience to embarrass the person they are cyberbullying Sharing personal information about a person on a public website that could cause them to feel unsafe Physically bullying someone in school and getting someone else to record it so that it can be watched and passed around later Circulating rumors about a person How to Know When a Joke Turns Into Cyberbullying In many cases, people may try to downplay cyberbullying by saying that it was just a joke. However, any incident that continues to make a person feel shame, hurt, or blatantly disrespected is not a joke and should be addressed. People who engage in cyberbullying tactics know that they’ve crossed these boundaries from being playful to being harmful.10 Effects and Consequences Research has shown that there are many negative effects of cyberbullying, some of which can lead to severe mental health issues. As previously mentioned, people who are cyberbullied are twice as likely to experience suicidal thoughts, actions, or behaviors and engage in self-harm as those who are not.4 Other negative health consequences of cyberbullying are:111 Depression Anxiety Stomach pain and digestive issues Sleep disturbances Difficulties with academics Violent behaviors High levels of stress Inability to feel safe Feelings of loneliness and isolation Feelings powerlessness and hopelessness How Can We Help Teens Posting About Self-Harm? If You’re on the Receiving End Being on the receiving end of cyberbullying is hard to cope with. It can feel as though you have nowhere to turn and there’s no escape. However, there are things that can be done to help overcome cyberbullying experiences. Advice for Preteens and Teenagers The best thing you can do if you’re being cyberbullied is tell an adult that you trust. It may be difficult to start the conversation, because you may feel ashamed or embarrassed. However, if it is not addressed, it can get worse.10 Other ways you can cope with cyberbullying include:10 Walk away: Walking away online involves ignoring the bullies, taking a step back from your computer or phone, and finding something you enjoy doing to distract yourself from the bullying. Don’t retaliate: At the time, you may want to defend yourself. But engaging with the bullies can make matters worse. Keep evidence: Save all copies of the cyberbullying, whether it be posts, texts, or emails, and keep them if the bullying escalates and you need to report them. Report: You can report your bullies, especially if it’s done on social media. Social media sites take harassment seriously, and reporting them to site administrators may have the bully blocked from using the site. Block: You can block your bully from contacting you on social media platforms as well as through text messages. In some cases, therapy may be a good option to help cope with the aftermath of cyberbullying. To get involved in therapy, you’ll have to discuss what’s going on with a trusted adult. What If Your Friend Is Cyberbullying? If you have a friend who is bullying someone else, you should tell them that their actions are not acceptable. Let them know of the serious repercussions that can happen to both themselves and the person they are bullying if it doesn’t stop. Advice for Parents As a parent, it can be difficult to watch your child experience cyberbullying. To help in the right ways, you can:12 Offer support and comfort: Just listening to your child explain what’s happening can be helpful. Also, if you’ve experienced bullying as a child, sharing that experience may provide some perspective on how it can be overcome and that the feelings don't last forever. Make sure they know they are not at fault: Whatever the bully uses to target your child can make them feel as though there's something wrong with them. Offer praise to your child for speaking up and reassure them that it's not their fault. The actions of their bullies speak more about the bully's character than it does your child's. Contact the school: Schools have policies in place to protect children from bullying, but for that to help, you have to inform school officials. Keep records: Ask your child for all the records of the bullying and keep a copy for yourself. This evidence will be helpful to have if the bullying escalates and further action needs to be taken. Try to get them help: In many cases, cyberbullying can lead to mental stress and sometimes mental health disorders. Getting your child a therapist gives them a safe place to work through their experience.
