Technology is great at enabling us to access a world beyond ourselves. However, it also means that you’re readily accessible and when a bully it’s hard to escape. Instead of, at the end of the day, leaving bully at the school gate or work parking lot, a cyberbully rides in our pockets. They come into our home, sit on our nightstands and accompany us when we socialise and intrude on our safe-spaces. Cyberbullying can take on many different forms, can happen to anyone and on any online platform where there are personal interactions.
10 Types of Cyberbullying
- Harassment
- Denigration
- Impersonation and Frapping
- Outing and Trickery
- Trolling
- Social Exclusion
- Cyberstalking
- Doxing
- Sextortion
- Catfishing
The seriousness of cyberbullying and its long-term mental, emotional and even physical negative impact, means it can’t be ignored. There is an urgent need to establish digital wellness within our households. And to continually be active in trying to prevent cyberbullying of children as well as ourselves.
What Is Cyberbullying and Why It’s Harmful
Cyberbullying is bullying that takes place through an app or online platform using a digital device, for example a phone, tablet or computer.
The most common places that cyberbullying occurs is on social media platforms, like
- Facebook,
- Snapchat,
- TikTok
- X
As well as messaging apps such as:
- Instant Messaging (IM), via email, chatrooms, message boards and forums, blogs, websites and within online communities.
An increasing concern is of AI being misused for cyberbullies to generate harmful content and intensify their online harassment.
Cyberbullying is driven by the deliberate intention to cause harm. The nature of cyberbullying means that it is easy to be the bully and easy to be bullied. Cyberbullying is much more covert than traditional bullying. As a result, victims aren’t obviously spotted and perpetrators can remain anonymous. Cyberbullying is often more intense than traditional bullying.
This is because, bullies are braver when they can hide behind the safety of a screen. Additionally, they are also completely removed from their victim’s reaction. Thus, they seldom can see the vulnerability of their victim and the harmful reality of their behaviour. These are 10 common types of cyberbullying with examples of how they usually take place.
10 Types of Cyberbullying Explained
- Harassment: Unwanted, repetitive and aggressive messaging. For example, negative comments, threats or insults.
- Denigration: Spreading false and/or cruel information. For example, edited or fake images, circulating rumours.
- Impersonation and Frapping: Pretending to be someone online. For example, using their account or creating a fake account to post false and/or inappropriate content.
- Outing and Trickery: Sharing private or sensitive information without permission. For example, publishing personal photos after gaining someone’s trust.
- Trolling: Posting inflammatory, offensive or provocative content to cause conflict / an emotional reaction. For example,
- Social Exclusion: Intentionally leaving someone out. For example, excluding someone from a game, chat or group.
- Cyberstalking: Unwarranted monitoring, intimidating and/or threatening someone repeatedly. For example, tracking their posts and interactions with others and/or obsessively contacting them.
- Doxing: Publishing personal information. For example, location and contact information.
- Sextortion: Online based sexual abuse and blackmail. For example, extracting explicit photos / videos then threatening to release them unless demands are met.
- Catfishing: Creating a fake online persona to trick someone. For example, establish a relationship to exploit for money.
Why is Cyberbullying Harmful?
Aside ease of engaging in cyberbullying, it’s potential reach and ongoing impact has no limits for those that are humiliated or bullied online. Harmful and humiliating content can be passed on extensively such that the actual reach of a bullying episode can’t be measure. Worse still, while bullying on the playground might have led to bruises, bullying online lasts for years to come. Photos, videos and comments can be dug up and “re-found” years later for recirculation.
Legality of Cyberbullying in South Africa
While authorities are trying to assist the public in this area, it’s not easy. This is because of the nature of cyberbullying. It’s largely anonymous, can take place at any distance and literally can be from anywhere in the world. It is also easy and quick to do across numerous platforms that are continually evolving. Currently, South Africa does not have specific legislation dealing with cyberbullying. This makes prosecution very difficult as cases tend to fall under harassment legislation. This is a challenge for legal systems across the world.
“Protecting against cyberbullying starts at home.”
How to Protect Children Online
Anyone who has a cellphone or online access can be cyberbullied. However, even though anyone can be a victim of cyberbullying, children are still more vulnerable. While some apps have age restrictions, these aren’t regulated and there’s no real way for a developer to restrict who downloads apps. Thankfully, there are ways to better protect children and yourself.
Digital wellness expert Josh Ramsey, co-founder of Be in Touch and a SACAP alumna, has some great tips to buffering against and helping to prevent cyberbullying.
- Normalise talking about your and your family’s “digital day”. In the same way you’d ask and share about a work or school day, incorporate asking about cyber interactions into catchup conversations.
- Have a central digital device charging spot. Most bullying happens later at night (aka prime time). By keeping phones and digital devices out of bedrooms, you minimise exposure and risk. Yes, phones have alarms but an old-fashioned alarm clock with snooze functions works just as well.
- Activate phone and app filters for everyone in your household. Even as an adult there’s no reason to not add a layer of protection to your cyber world.
The Law on Cyberbullying in South Africa
There are legal consequences to cyberbullying in South Africa. According to the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development, under South African law, a cyberbully can be charged with crimen inuria, assault, defamation and/or extortion. Those who engage in sextortion with a minor (child) can also be charged under section 19 of the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences and related Matters) Amendment Act 32, 2007. Perpetrators can also be sued for damages and defamation.
Any one found guilty may be sentenced to imprisonment and/or a fine. If a cyberbully is found guilty of sextortion then they can also be registered on the National Register for Sex Offenders (NRSO).
Who to Contact for Legal Help with Cyberbullying in South Africa
- South African Police Services: 10111 or 086 001 0111
- Childline: 116 Chat Online or Contact
- Lifeline: 011 728 1347 or [email protected]
- Legal Aid: 0800 110 110 or Legal Aid South Africa
- National Prosecuting Authority: 012 845 6000
- The Department of Justice and Constitutional Development: 012 315 1111
- The Department of Basic Education: 0800 202 933
When you’re a victim of cyberbullying it’s normal to feel isolated, hopeless, stressed and/or depressed. You begin to wonder if the situation will ever improve as you desperately search for a way out. It’s important to remember that you are not alone. You have to repeatedly remind yourself that you will be okay and reach out to get the support you need. Begin by sharing with a friend or seeing a counsellor, and then once you have the support needed you work out what to do next.
10 Tips to Help Combat Cyberbullying
- Don’t Feel Guilty This is not your fault; there’s nothing wrong with you and you are not to blame for what’s happening. A bully’s actions say much more about their insecurities, fears and need for acceptance than you.
- Break the Silence and Ask for Help: Talk to someone you trust and who is willing to empathetically listen. Cyberbullying can cause anyone, of any age, to feel depressed, anxious and even suicidal. Breaking the silence of cyberbullying is an important part of looking after your mental health.
- Be Password Wise: Change your passwords regularly and don’t use the same one on multiple platforms. The only time someone should know your password for anything is if you share an account. Or if they supervise your online activity.
- Know and Use Privacy Settings: Customise your privacy settings and never leave them on default. Check them regularly, especially after system and app updates.
- Block: Blocking doesn’t make you a “bad” person – it shows wisdom! Don’t be afraid to hit block (and report) on social media, WhatsApp and phone numbers. Remember – it might look good to have lots of followers but your happiness and mental wellbeing is worth more.
- Go Dark: Take a break from Social Media or at least from the accounts that you are being harassed through. It may seem unfair that you are the one taking a break. But, giving yourself time to regroup and gain some perspective will help you more than staying active.
- Don’t Retaliate: Your reaction that drives the bully and nothing is less satisfying than no reaction at all.
- Be an Upstander: Stand up to cyberbullies – if you know someone who is being bullied, help them report it. Don’t by a bystander. A simple message to let them also know that they are not alone will make a difference to them.
- Stay off Anonymous Sites: If someone must hide their identity to say something, what they have to say is not worth hearing. Anonymous sites are playgrounds for bullies, don’t go there.
- Keep the Evidence: The one advantage of cyberbullying is that it leaves a trail. Take screenshots of offensive posts or messages and save them off the platform they happened on. These will come in handy if at any time you decide to report the bullying.
Counselling and Psychology Can Help with Cyberbullying
Cyberbullying often causes psychological distress and emotional harm which can have long-term negative consequences on overall wellbeing. This means that accessing support through a counsellor or psychologist can assist with the healing process.
They do this by teaching coping strategies, such as stress management, how to navigate difficult situations and pause to analyse rather than be reactive. All of which are life-skills that can be used in our online and offline lives. Seeking professional support also means accessing someone who can assist with trauma processing and rebuilding self-esteem within an online context. This is often helpful in cases of protracted and/or extreme cyber bullying.
Are you interested in helping people successfully build digital wellness and recover from cyberbullying? SACAP offers Applied Psychology qualifications that can set you on a career path to become a counsellor or psychologist. Apply online today. SACAP Global offers every day psychology courses in counselling that are practical and designed to enhance both professional and personal development.
FAQ
FAQ
What is Cyberbullying?
Cyberbullying happens through digital devices and takes place online via apps and online platforms. It includes, but is not limited to, harmful behaviours like harassment, impersonation, trolling, doxing, cyberstalking.
How can I protect my child online?
You can reduce a child’s risk of cyberbullying by having open conversations about online activities and activating online filters and safety mechanisms. You can also protect a child from cyberbullying by, keeping digital devices out of their bedrooms at night and teaching them digital wellness.
Is cyberbullying a crime in South Africa?
Cyberbullying is a crime in South Africa and cyberbullies who are found guilty can be fined and/or jailed. In South Africa cyberbully victims can also take civil action and claim damages.
What are signs of cyberbullying?
Common signs of cyberbullying include withdrawal, heightened anxiety, depression, changes in behaviour after using a device and social avoidance. It can also cause decreased self-esteem and a loss of confidence, increased irritability and refusal to discuss online experiences.
How can schools teach digital empathy?
Schools can teach digital empathy by encouraging learners to carefully read and listen before responding online. Encouraging them to ask clarification questions as well as be reflective ahead of issuing respectful, kind and positive responses.
