Definition
Online harassment can be defined as the use of information and communication technologies by an individual or group to repeatedly cause harm to another person.
This may involve threats, embarrassment, or humiliation in an online setting. This includes expressions of discriminatory attitudes and beliefs—such as sexism, racism, xenophobia, homophobia, transphobia or ableist prejudices. It also includes online sexual harassment, cyberstalking, and image based sexual abuse or other unwanted online conduct of a sexual nature.
This may involve threats, embarrassment, or humiliation in an online setting. This includes expressions of discriminatory attitudes and beliefs—such as sexism, racism, xenophobia, homophobia, transphobia or ableist prejudices. It also includes online sexual harassment, cyberstalking, and image based sexual abuse or other unwanted online conduct of a sexual nature.
Online harassment is also known as cyberaggression, cyberbullying, cyber-harassment, cyberhate, cybervictimisation and deviant online behaviour. It takes place in contexts such as social media (Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, and Twitter), SMS, instant messaging (via devices, email provider services, apps, and social media messaging features) and email.
Examples
- spreading rumours, ridiculing, and/or demeaning others
- harassing others because of their race, religion, sexual orientation, disability or transgender identity
- seeking revenge or deliberately embarrassing a person online
- engaging in unwanted behaviour of a sexual nature via text, email or other electronic and/or social media including using intimate images or recordings of another person
- impersonating others, even through their own accounts, with malicious intent
- sending inflammatory, inappropriate, rude and/or violent messages or comments about someone to provoke responses from other users
- exposing others to unwanted or offensive content in digital groups or meetings
Effects
The kinds of unwanted behaviours described above can provoke a range of physical, psychological, and emotional effects:
- stress, anxiety and/or panic attacks
- loss of self-esteem
- feelings of powerlessness
- changes in sleep and eating patterns
- hypervigilance and increased anxiety
- fear for personal safety
- reduced academic and professional performance