Cyberbullying is a growing concern that needs to be brought to the attention of all Internet users.
The Internet has created a borderless world, which can be beneficial to many but also harmful to some. With the Internet, individuals are given the freedom to voice their opinions and learn new skills in just a click. However, there is a darker side to it. A borderless world has also opened up a world of danger. A world where harassment, stalking, name-calling and belittling individuals have no limits.
As a matter of fact, cyberbullying can be more dangerous than physical bullying. One may never be fully aware of the cyberbully on the other end of the line and therefore, identifying as well as catching the perpetrator can be more challenging.
All forms of cyberbullying are unacceptable. Did you know that cyberbullying is more than just sending an individual ‘hate texts’? Here are eight forms of cyberbullying that parents and every Internet user should be aware of.
A borderless world has also opened up a world of danger. A world where harassment, stalking, namecalling and belittling individuals have no limits.
#1 Cyberstalking
The dangers of cyberstalking go beyond the screen and keyboard. Cyberstalkers are a real threat to the victim’s safety. This form of cyberbullying can affect children and adults. Nonetheless, it is especially dangerous for children as cyberstalkers prey on their naïve mind and as a result, children can be threatened and coerced into sharing sexual-related content too.
#2 Fraping
When an individual logs into someone’s social media account and impersonates him or her, this is known as fraping. Fraping is a very serious offence and typically, the intention of fraping is to tarnish one’s name and reputation by posting inappropriate content.
#3 Harassment
This is probably one of the more common forms of cyberbullying that has been made known to the community.
Harassment refers to constant contact via the Internet involving hurtful, abusive and threatening content that has been intentionally sent to the victim with the intention of causing fear, pain and hurt to the individual. Harassment can have serious effects on the victim’s well-being including his or her self-esteem.
#4 Outing
With the intention to cause embarrassment, outing happens when a cyberbully intentionally reveals sensitive and embarrassing personal information of the victim, without their consent. Now, outing does not only happen via the Internet. If your child’s classmate were to snatch his or her phone and read a personal message out loud, this too is classified as outing. If your child’s classmate were to snatch his or her phone and read a personal message out loud, this too is classified as outing.
If your child’s classmate were to snatch his or her phone and read a pers onal message out loud, this too is classified as outing.
#5 Trolling
Trolling You’ve probably heard of the term ‘Internet trolls’ and while sometimes this term is used to refer to keyboard warriors and other commenters on social media too, trolling in the world of cyberbullying must not be taken lightly. Cyberbullies who troll tend to use hurtful and foul language to attack an individual with the intention of putting the victim down. These ‘trolls’ target vulnerable individuals who typically hope to negatively affect their victims so they can feel good about themselves.
#6 Dissing
Have you came across individuals who post cruel and embarrassing content (such as screenshots, an image or a video) publicly on one’s social media account or sent to a group of individuals via private messaging with the aim of tarnishing an individual’s reputation?
This form of cyberbullying is known as dissing. In most cases, the cyberbully behind this act is an individual whom the victim knows personally. This can amplify the situation, making it even more upsetting for the victim.
#7 Trickery
Trickery happens when an individual tricks a victim by gaining his or her trust but at the end of the day, abuses it by sharing private information about the victim publicly such as via social media or other platforms on the Internet.
Trickery gives the victim a false sense of security and can cause serious regret towards the victim.
#8 Catfishing
Catfishing is when an individual steals your online profile and its details to re-create a new profile and use it to deceive others. Catfishing is relatively common on the Internet and can be easily reported to the respective platform.
Although it can sometimes be uncertain as to why a person chooses to be a ‘catfish’, cyberbullies who use this form of bullying usually have the intention of damaging the victim’s reputation.
All forms of cyberbullying pose danger and must be stopped immediately. If left unaware, cyberbullying is silently dangerous to the victim and can cause serious consequences.
