Cyberbullying Infographic

In some ways, it is easier to fly under the radar when cyberbullying. Consequently, traditional bullying may be a stepping stone to cyberbullying. The individual inflicting harm may remain anonymous when bullying online, a factor that makes the bullying easier to get away with. It is also difficult for adults to catch a cyberbully in the act; they can’t monitor digital devices 24/7. Even worse, cyberbullying can become more pernicious than traditional bullying because the hurtful content often goes viral. As we all know, it doesn’t take long for a meme, story, or video to spread online. It’s also unsettling that the victim may not know who the bully is or why they are being targeted.

Inflicting cruelty from a distance with the help of technology makes cyberbullying easier, which is why your everyday schoolyard bully is 2.5 times more likely to cyberbully than their non-bully.

Online Disinhibition Effect

In the past when someone engaged in bullying or harassing behaviors, they did so in person, by mail, or over the phone, which made it harder to hide their identity. With the introduction of the Internet and the ease of creating fake profiles, it is much easier for a bully to hide their identity. Internet anonymity has given rise to the Online Disinhibition Effect. Watch the video to learn about the Online Disinhibition Effect and how it contributes to cyberbullying.

Girls are slightly more likely to become cyberbullying targets than boys. It’s also important to note that while 14% of straight students experience cyberbullying, as many as 26% of LGBTQ youth experience it.

Cyberbullying can take many forms, all of them harmful. It may involve harassment, the sharing of nude photos, encouraging self-harm, or falsely accusing someone of reporting troublemakers to administrators. Situations have been reported of a student creating a false identity profile or “sockpuppet” of another student to obtain personal information that is then spread through social media. Jealousy bullying is another form and involves an individual being cyberbullied by a jealous person because, for example, she is dating a popular boy. Cyberbullying might also include the posting of hateful names or comments based on race or religion. It can also involve “doxing,” where the cyberbully posts personal data such as the address or phone number of the victim.

- adapted from Security.org

Is It Cyberbullying?

Sometimes victims of cyberbullying do not report it because they don't see online harassment as bullying. Watch the video below to learn more about some of the ways cyberbullying happens online, and be sure to report any cyberbullying behavior to a trusted adult.