Bullying of any kind is unpleasant, but cyberbullying , when someone uses technology, like the internet or a mobile phone, to deliberately hurt, humiliate, harass, intimidate or threaten someone else can be particularly distressing.
Cyberbullying can take many forms, such as:
- Sending nasty or threatening texts or emails
- Using social networking sites, chatrooms or Instant Messenger to post abusive messages or taking on someone else’s identity online to upset them
- Posting humiliating videos or pictures online, or sending them on to other people
- Bad mouthing and spreading rumours
- Setting up a hate site or a hate group on a Social Networking site
- Prank calling, prank texts and messages
In some ways cyberbullying can be worse than other forms of bullying, in that the bullying can be constant, and the target can be reached wherever they are.
For the cyberbully, there's the problem that once you send a bullying message or post something online, everyone can see it, and you can't take it back. Many cyberbullies think that no one will be able to find out who they are, but that's not true.
Nasty messages and videos can spread very quickly and can cause widespread humiliation, and with the risk of the material resurfacing, getting over being bullied can be a hard and long process.
Dealing with cyberbullying
For tips on how to prevent or respond to cyberbullying, please read our guide on 'how to deal with cyberbullying' or visit the following sites for further information:
