Common Types of Cyberbullying
- Harassment: This involves sending offensive, threatening messages or engaging in warning wars, text wars, or text attacks, often targeting individuals or groups.
- Impersonation: When someone creates a fake profile or hacks into another person’s account to impersonate them, tarnishing their reputation.
- Inappropriate Photographs: Sharing explicit or embarrassing photos without consent is often used as a form of blackmail.
- Website Creation: Creating websites or social media profiles to publicly shame or embarrass individuals.
- Video shaming: sharing embarrassing or compromising videos online, often used to control or blackmail victims.
- Outing or doxing: revealing sensitive personal information without consent to cause harm or embarrassment.
- Trickery: using deception to obtain sensitive information, which is then used to shame or embarrass the victim.
- Cyberstalking: making real threats to a person’s physical well-being and/or safety, often involving online harassment and intimidation.
- Fraping: logging into someone’s social networking account and impersonating them by posting inappropriate content.
- Fake Profiles: Creating fake profiles to harass or embarrass individuals.
- Dissing: publicly shaming or insulting someone in a social setting, such as a social media group or chat forum.
- Slut Shaming: Shaming someone, usually a girl, for their appearance, behavior, or the number of people they have dated.
- Body Shaming: criticizing or mocking someone’s physical appearance.
These types of cyberbullying can have severe consequences, including emotional distress, anxiety, depression, and even suicidal ideation. It is crucial to understand these forms of cyberbullying and take steps to prevent and address them.
Strategies for Preventing Cyberbullying
A. Educate Yourself and Others
- Understand what cyberbullying is and how it can occur
- Share information about cyberbullying with friends and family
B. Protect Your Password and Personal Information
- Keep passwords and personal information private
- Never share passwords or personal information with others, even friends
- Change passwords regularly to maintain security
C. Keep Photos “PG”
- Be cautious when sharing photos online
- Ensure that photos are appropriate and respectful
D. Never Open Unidentified or Suspicious Links
- Be cautious when clicking on links from unknown sources
- Only open links from trusted sources
E. Set Up Privacy Controls
- Restrict access to your online profile to trusted friends only
- Configure privacy settings on social networking sites to ensure maximum protection
F. “Google” Yourself Regularly
- Search for your name in major search engines to check for any personal information or content that may be used to target you
- Take action to have any inappropriate content removed
G. Don’t Cyberbully Others
- Treat others with respect and kindness online
- Avoid engaging in hurtful or disrespectful behavior towards others
H. Report Cyberbullying Incidents
- Inform authorities or website administrators about cyberbullying incidents
- Document evidence and keep records of cyberbullying incidents
I. Seek Support and Help
- Talk to trusted adults, friends, or mental health professionals about cyberbullying incidents
- Seek guidance and support in dealing with cyberbullying situations