Cyberbullying: Types, Effects, & How To Get Help

What Is Cyberbullying?

Cyberbullying involves sharing or sending false, harmful, or nasty content about someone online. It can include shaming someone else by sharing their personal information, and can cross the line into becoming unlawful.¹ The intention of cyberbullying is malicious and threatening in nature and has the ability to do emotional, psychological, and sometimes even physical harm.

A common misconception about cyberbullying is that it is easy to escape or ignore, but often the opposite is true. Since people have online access 24 hours a day, the bullying can become persistent.¹ Additionally, cyberbullying is most commonly thought to occur in middle school and high school, but it can also occur in adulthood, and can cause severe damage to someone’s reputation.

Cyberbullying Statistics

With the ongoing growth of technology, anyone can be a target of cyberbullying, however the younger population seems to be most at risk. In 2022, the Pew Research Center conducted a study looking to better understand teens’ social media experiences related to harassment and bullying online, finding that almost half of teens have experienced cyberbullying.

Here are some statistics regarding the prevalence of cyberbullying:²

• 46% of teens in the U.S. have been bullied or harassed online and experienced at least one type of cyberbullying
• Although kids of all ages can become victims of cyberbullying, the risk increases in the teen years, with 54% of teenage girls ages 15-17 facing any form of online abuse as compared to 41% of girls 13-14 and boys of any age
• Physical threats seem equal, at 10% among both genders

Here is a breakdown of the types of cyberbullying teens experience by gender:²

In terms of race, white, Black, and Hispanic teenagers don’t statistically vary in the amount of cyberbullying they experience, however certain forms of online harassment are more common among particular groups. For instance, 24% of white teenagers are more likely to state being targeted by false rumors as opposed to 17% Black adolescents reporting the same. While 21% of Hispanic teens are more likely than white (14%) or Black teenagers (9%) to report that they have been questioned constantly where they are, what they’re doing, or who they’re with by another person other than a parent.²

Is Cyberbullying Illegal?

Since cyberbullying has become more pervasive, several states have enacted laws prohibiting this and other forms of electronic harassment. This means that, under these laws, certain acts of cyberbullying may be considered illegal or criminal behavior.

Cyberbullying may be illegal in several states if it involves:³

• Threats of violence
• Child pornography
• Sending sexually explicit messages or photos
• Taking pictures/video in a place where the person would expect privacy
• Stalking and hate crimes

Additionally, some states have certain guidelines to address bullying when it impacts academic performance. To learn more, you can review the laws and regulations in your state to see if they cover cyberbullying.¹

The Unique Concerns of Cyberbullying

Cyberbullying has distinctive and unique challenges compared to other traditional forms of bullying, mainly because of the digital nature of the interactions.¹

Here are some of the unique concerns associated with cyberbullying:

• It’s persistent: Easy access to internet connectivity and engagement through digital devices makes cyberbullying unending. That’s why it is particularly difficult for victims to escape or find relief from the abuse and harassment.
• It can be permanent: Most social media content is public and can be easily archived, shared, and circulated. Unless it’s reported and removed, the destructive data often leaves a permanent online footprint that can resurface at any given point.
• It’s harder to notice: Since parents, educators, or coaches may not usually overhear or see cyberbullying occur in real-time, it is much more difficult to identify or notice.
• It has a larger audience: Damaging content can quickly spread to a wide audience. This public display online is inevitable, which only intensifies the embarrassment and emotional distress experienced by the victim.
• It can be anonymous: Online anonymity makes it effortless for people to participate in cruel acts that they wouldn’t otherwise engage in offline. The anonymity also makes it harder for victims to identify the attacker and successfully report it.

Types of Cyberbullying

Cyberbullying can take on many forms and impact people in various ways. It can be as simple as harassing someone online or as malicious as hacking into their account.

Here are ten types of cyberbullying that you might encounter:

1. Harassment

This is the most common form of cyberbullying, and is when someone (or a group of people) repeatedly sends messages, calls, or emails to you with a malicious or threatening intent. This harassment can occur across multiple social media platforms and mobile devices.

2. Cyberstalking

Cyberstalking is similar to harassment, as there is persistence in the perpetrator’s behaviors to attempt to reach their victim. The difference lies in the likelihood of cyberstalking to become more aggressive, and may possibly lead to stalking in-person. In some cases, there is also a stronger interest in the victim, whether positive or negative, which is not always the case in harassment.

3. Doxing

Doxing occurs when personal information, such as phone numbers, home and work addresses, etc. are shared on social media or public forums without permission, with the intent to “take action” or “make a statement.” Doxing can often leave the victim feeling extremely anxious and avoidant.

4. Account Hacking

One of the most common cyberbullying examples is account hacking, such as on social media profiles and accounts. If an account is hacked, abusive or damaging messages may be shared publicly or in direct messages, therefore further damaging a person or company’s reputation.

5. False Profiles

False profiles are similar to account hacking due to the intention of possibly damaging a person or a company’s reputation by impersonating them online. Additionally, creating false profiles can be done rather quickly and may make it difficult to identify the perpetrator.

6. Slut shaming

Slut shaming often occurs when private “sexting” messages are shared publicly. This is common among young people and adolescents, but anyone at any age can be slut shamed.

7. Body shaming

Body shaming refers to negative remarks made about someone’s body image, shape, weight or size, and is intended to humiliate the person who is perceived to be physically unattractive. Anyone can be a target of body or fat-shaming, especially when comments are made online on social media accounts for other users to see.

8. Revenge Porn

There are websites dedicated to revenge porn, encouraging people to upload and share sexually explicit content without permission to do so. Revenge porn is often posted by ex-partners with the intention to cause humiliation and damage to the victim’s reputation.

9. Swatting

Swatting occurs when emergency personnel respond to false claims of dangerous events taking place at an address. This is with the intention to increase panic, paranoia, and fear when emergency responders arrive at their address. Swatting commonly occurs in the online gaming community.

10. Corporate Attacks

Corporate attacks happen when someone intentionally defames or spreads false information about a company online, usually resulting in their website being taken down. These attacks can affect a business’s reputation, public trust and confidence in the company, or worse, force a corporation to collapse entirely.

Signs of Cyberbullying

Cyberbullying, depending on the circumstance, may be difficult to stop and hard to notice by others. On the other hand, it can make it easy to keep a record of images, texts, and messages that can be compiled to make a case against the bully. As with other forms of abuse, signs and symptoms of cyberbullying should not be ignored.

Signs someone you know is being cyber bullied could include:

• Becoming worried or stressed about engaging in online activities
• Isolating from others (online community, video games, etc.)
• A child being scared of going to school
• Adults avoiding and being fearful of going to work
• Severe attachment to phone/computers/tablets and often becoming distressed or panicked

Examples of Cyberbullying

As social media and technology develop cyberbullying is spreading rapidly and presenting itself in a variety of ways, often aimed at youth, minority groups, and vulnerable individuals.

Here are some examples of what cyberbullying can look like:

• Leaving offensive or hurtful comments on someone’s social media profile
• Sending a person mean or derogatory messages via texts, emails, DMs, etc.
• Hacking into an individual’s emails, gaming/social networking profile.
• Creating a fake profile to stalk, spy, criticize, or intimidate someone online
• Purposely antagonizing people or particular groups online to fuel hate and anger, and instigate hate crimes, violence, or revenge.
• Participating in hostile and belligerent online arguments, often using insulting language and personal attacks.
• Publicly divulging secrets, or personal information, spreading rumors about someone or circulating nude pics.
• Threatening to hurt or assault someone or telling them they should end their life.
• Creating a webpage or memes to make fun of somebody’s disability, ethnicity, or sexual orientation.

What Are the Effects of Cyberbullying?

Cyberbullying leaves a digital footprint with a record of the bullying.⁴ There can be criminal charges and permanent damage to public records for school, college, or work. Online profiles may become deactivated or deleted entirely, losing any and all access to your followers, images, and content. Aside from direct effects of cyberbullying, there can be a major impact on someone’s mental and physical health.

With any forms of abuse, cyberbullying can impact your mental health in a variety of ways. As with other forms of abuse, signs and symptoms should not be ignored.

Cyberbullying effects can include:

• Depression: It can feel extremely isolating and oftentimes the messages received are intended to isolate you and even threaten you if you tell anyone else about it. Depression can often show up in a “why me?” mentality of being targeted for cyberbullying.
• Anxiety: You can become avoidant and nervous to interact with any type of online or technology-based platforms. You may resist answering phone calls, opening text messages or emails, or delete social media altogether. The anxiety often leaves you with a pit in your stomach, dreading each notification you receive.
• Low Self-Esteem: You may begin to believe the hurtful messages that are being sent to you and you may even begin telling yourself that you are deserving of cyberbullying. This creates a narrative and cycle of low self-esteem and feeling like you’re “not enough.” You may also feel like people won’t believe your experience, which results in not having the confidence or self-esteem to speak up and advocate for yourself.
• Hypervigilance and Paranoia: Hypervigilance and paranoia can manifest as repeatedly checking your message inboxes, or feeling that “pit in your stomach” at the next ping or alert. You may also notice when you’re around others who are texting and using social media, and you may begin to think they are exchanging messages about you.
• Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): Some people may experience PTSD from bullying and may have a really difficult time in engaging with any social media or technology outside of their close friends and family. With any abuse or traumatic experience, you could be at risk of suffering from PTSD.
• Suicidal Thoughts: The experience of suicidal thoughts can be common, as there is often a desire to “end it all” in efforts to stop, erase, or reverse the experience of cyberbullying. Know that you are not alone and there is support available.
• Disordered Eating: Disordered eating, whether limiting or increasing your intake of food, can be used as a way to cope with an increase in stressors in your life. Depending on the type of cyberbullying experienced, you may use food restriction as a means of self-punishment.
• Sleep Disturbances: Difficulty falling asleep and staying asleep are common effects of cyberbullying. The increase in anxiety can cause a lot of tossing and turning, or checking your phone in the middle of the night.
• Self-Harm: Self-harm can link back to the feelings of low self-esteem, depression, and suicidal thoughts. Not feeling like you have a place to turn to while handling cyberbullying can be extremely isolating. Self-harm can also come from a place of not feeling like you’re enough and having the desire to “feel something.” Self-harm can be dangerous, but support is available.

Why Do People Do It?

There can be a million reasons why people might engage in cyberbullying which can vary from person to person. Some common motivations behind cyberbullying include the need for power and control, psychological conditions, envy, revenge, peer pressure, hatred, and even just boredom. Pairing these drivers with the easy access to technology can further enable this toxic behavior to proliferate. Nevertheless, having a deeper understanding about the motives that lead to cyberbullying can help address and prevent it more effectively.

How to Deal With Cyberbullying

Cyberbullying is a form of abuse, and can be a punishable crime. Here are some tips for how to respond if you’re being cyberbullied:

Don’t Respond

It might be tempting to respond negatively or retaliate when someone is spreading rumors, saying hurtful things about you online, or directly harassing you through texts or DMs, but ignoring them is the wisest thing you can do. This can give you space to clear your mind to then decide the best course of action, like talking it over with a trusted adult. However, if the cyberbully is making threats, then you should tell an authority figure immediately, and if you have evidence of the abuse, report it to the appropriate authorities.

Keep Clear Records of What Happened

The first thing you want to do is save any records of abuse, through screenshots, printing, or saving them digitally on your phone or computer. The more information you have compiled, the easier it will be to make a report.

Tell a Safe Adult

Reach out to someone you trust, whether it is a teacher, principal, counselor, boss, or a trusted friend. Being able to tell someone what you are going through will help ease some of the stress, while also helping you think a little more clearly about what steps to take next.

Advocate to Have It Removed

Depending on the nature of the cyberbullying, you can contact websites and social media customer support for assistance in removing as much content related to the cyberbullying as possible. Even if you are feeling hopeless that any action can be taken, having a written record will help support you in the future if needed.

Find Specific Victim Support

Some additional steps may include calling 911 or contacting a 24/7 victim hotline, such as VictimConnect, especially in situations where you or someone you love is being threatened or harmed.

Block the Bully on All Social Media Accounts

If somebody is making hateful or hurtful comments on your posts or social media profile or antagonizing you online, it is best to block them on all your accounts. If the online harassment continues, there are certain measures you can take. But if cyberbullying threatens your safety, then tell your parents, report it to the platform, or the authorities right away. Remember that your wellbeing is at stake, so safeguard it.

How Therapy Can Help People Impacted by Cyberbullying

Therapy can help people impacted by cyberbullying because it can help reduce symptoms of anxiety, depression, PTSD, hypervigilance and paranoia, and support you in navigating suicidal thoughts. Additionally, therapy can help increase your self-esteem and confidence and regain the ability to return to the “online world” as well as help you find ways to be an advocate for yourself.

How Individual Therapy Can Help

Finding a therapist can help ease the emotional burden and stress that is associated with being a victim of cyberbullying. Individual therapy can act as an outlet of all of the things that you wish you could say or do about the bully, as well as admitting to some of the more private thoughts and feelings that you may not be comfortable sharing with friends and family. An individual therapist can create a safe, supportive environment, where there is no judgment or shame.

An online therapist directory can be a great place to find a therapist licensed in your state who specializes in your specific concerns.

How Group Therapy Can Help

Sharing experiences of cyberbullying in a safe, confidential space can be really therapeutic. As a victim of cyberbullying, there are some residual effects and fear that may come up when you think about sharing your experiences online or in-person. There are also some thoughts and feelings that are only understood and expressed by victims of cyberbullying. Being able to share and process those thoughts and feelings  in a group therapy setting allows you to learn additional ways to cope.

Tips for Parents of Children & Teens Being Cyberbullied

For a child to overcome and heal from being cyberbullied, they will likely need their parent’s involvement. Involvement includes helping the child with their depression and anxiety, advocating for them in school, and documenting and reporting any relevant issues to a local authority. help in order to heal.

If you suspect that your child is being cyberbullied, here are some tips to consider:³

• Offer comfort and a listening ear: It’s essential that you create a safe space for your child to open up. Listen to them without judgment, validate their feelings, and comfort them through their distress.
• Help them document and print out the incident: Help your child develop a timeline of the incidence/s. If possible, take screenshots of the posts/content and print them out. Most laws note that bullying is often ongoing, thus multiple records can be helpful when reporting the bullying.
• Help them report the issue to any relevant authorities: If your child has received physical threats, or if a potential crime/illegal behavior is occurring, it’s vital that you report this to the proper authorities.
• Offer ongoing support and suggest therapy for severe cases: Cyberbullying can take an emotional toll on your child. Thus, it’s crucial that you reassure them, provide ongoing moral support, and if their struggles become severe, suggest counseling.

Final Thoughts on Cyberbullying

If you are dealing with cyberbullying, talking to a therapist or reaching out to a loved one can make a big difference in how you feel. Know that there are ways to put an end to cyberbullying and you shouldn’t have to experience it alone