Despite the countless benefits that technology brings to our daily lives, the digital age also has a dark side, enabling bullies to abuse their victims from behind the anonymity of a computer screen. Just like physical bullying, cyberbullying can take many forms and include a variety of acts that can cause long-lasting emotional and physical harm, even after the bullying has stopped.
This is according to Candice Toprek, Underwriting Lead: Personal Cyber at iTOO Special Risks, who points out that the proliferation of social media and digital communication platforms has facilitated the spread of online bullying.
Key Takeaways:
- Cyberbullying is defined as the repeated and intentional use of electronic communications to humiliate, intimidate, harass, frighten or threaten another person.
- Children are particularly vulnerable to cyberbullying, which can take many forms and cause long-lasting emotional and physical harm.
- Blocking a perpetrator is not always effective, as abusers can use multiple platforms and accounts to continue their behaviour.
- There are eight distinct types of cyberbullying: social exclusion, harassment, outing or doxing, trickery, cyberstalking, dissing, trolling, and flaming or roasting.
- When bullying targets a protected class such as race, religion, gender or disability, the behaviour is classified as harassment.
- Cyberstalking is one of the most serious forms of cyberbullying and can include threats, sextortion and tracking a person’s online movements.
- When a child is cyberbullied, parents should reassure them, remove them from the device, and take practical steps to break the cycle.
Why Is Understanding Cyberbullying Important for Parents and Educators?
“Cyberbullying is defined as the repeated and intentional use of electronic communications to humiliate, intimidate, harass, frighten or threaten another person. While being picked on is one of the most common characteristics of bullying, online harassment takes on countless different forms, with children being particularly vulnerable to this type of behaviour,” she explains.
Unfortunately, blocking the perpetrator is not always effective in stopping cyberbullying, as abusers can use multiple platforms and accounts to continue their abusive behaviour. Children often have to deal with cyberbullying from countless angles, which is why it can be so persistent and potentially damaging.”
Toprek notes that for parents and educators to effectively protect children from harmful online behaviour and to create a safer digital space, a better understanding of what encompasses cyberbullying is required.
Read more about child online safety resources and digital wellbeing guidance in South Africa
What are the different types of cyberbullying?
Social Exclusion
Social exclusion is the deliberate act of leaving someone out. It can take many forms, such as a child being purposely excluded from a group or party that everyone is talking about, or being left out of message threads or conversations that involve mutual friends.
Harassment
This is a broad category that can apply to many instances of cyberbullying. However, there is a distinction between bullying and harassment. Bullying refers to actions that cause physical or emotional harm to another person but when the victim belongs to a protected class, such as race, religion, gender, disability or other characteristics, the behaviour is considered harassment.
Outing or Doxing
Outing or doxing is the act of revealing personal or sensitive information about an individual without their consent with the intent to cause them harm or humiliation. In the case of cyberbullying, doxing might involve exposing private photos or messages of an individual without their permission and sharing them publicly.
Trickery
Similar to outing, trickery has an added element of deception. In such cases, bullies will befriend their targets to gain their trust. Once trust is gained, they will share the victim’s secrets and private information maliciously.
Cyberstalking
Cyberbullying is the use of technology to make someone else afraid or concerned about their safety. This is a particularly serious and potentially harmful form of cyberbullying and can include making threats via text, instant message, email or social media; sextortion; tracking a person’s online movements and actions or posting harassing or threatening statements about a person online.
Dissing
Dissing is a term used to describe a type of bullying where the perpetrator shares harmful information about their victim, either through public posts or private messages. The purpose of “dissing” is to ruin the victim’s reputation or relationships with others. Typically, the perpetrator has a personal relationship with the victim, such as a friend or acquaintance.
Trolling
Trolling is the deliberate act of posting comments online that are meant to provoke negative reactions and create conflict, such as making inflammatory or attacking remarks in a Reddit thread or social media group. Trolling bullies usually don’t have a personal relationship with their victims and are more interested in causing trouble and inciting negative emotions.
Flaming or Roasting
Flaming is a type of personal attack that is more direct and personal than trolling. It usually takes place in a social setting such as a social media group or chat forum. It typically includes the use of profane language and insulting comments to intimidate the victim.
What Should Parents Do When Their Child Is Being Cyberbullied?
“When a parent discovers that their child is a victim of cyberbullying, they should reassure them that they are loved and supported. Get your child to step away from the computer or device and take a break,” says Toprek.
“If you can identify the bully, consider talking with their parents or contacting your child’s school. If bullying is happening online, it might also be happening offline. It is important to empower your child with specific steps that he or she can take to break the cycle of cyberbullying.”
If your child is experiencing distress, Childline South Africa offers 24/7 free support at 116.
Read more about cyberbullying warning signs, consequences, and legal protections in South Africa.
This content provides guidance for South African parents, guardians, and educators navigating cyberbullying and online safety concerns affecting children and teenagers. For specific legal or cyber insurance advice tailored to your situation, consult qualified legal professionals or insurance specialists familiar with South African regulations and market conditions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Cyberbullying is the repeated and intentional use of electronic communications to humiliate, intimidate, harass, frighten or threaten another person. It can take many forms and cause long-lasting emotional and physical harm.
The main types of cyberbullying include social exclusion, harassment, outing or doxing, trickery, cyberstalking, dissing, trolling, and flaming or roasting.
Bullying refers to actions that cause physical or emotional harm to another person. When the victim belongs to a protected class such as race, religion, gender or disability — the behaviour is classified as harassment.