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Online Harassment

What is Online Harassment?

Online harassment is the use of digital platforms, such as social media, messaging apps, or email, to repeatedly intimidate, threaten, abuse, or target an individual or group.

It can include behaviours like bullying, spreading harmful content, impersonation, or unwanted contact, often causing emotional distress, reputational harm, or a sense of fear and insecurity.

Who's on the other side?

Examples

What forms can Online Harassment take?

Abusive or threatening messages – Repeated insults, slurs, or messages like “You’re worthless” or threats of harm

Public shaming or pile-ons – Coordinated attacks or large numbers of negative comments targeting an individual

Impersonation – Creating fake accounts, AI deepfakes, or pretending to be someone to damage their reputation or send harmful messages

Sexual harassment – Unwanted explicit messages, comments, or images

Stalking behaviour – Monitoring someone’s online activity and using it to intimidate or control them

Hate speech – Targeting someone based on identity (e.g. race, gender, religion) with abusive or degrading language

Cyberbullying – Ongoing targeting through mocking, humiliation, or exclusion, often in group chats or social platforms

Doxxing (sharing private information) – Posting someone’s address, phone number, or workplace to intimidate them

Harassment via repeated contact – Constant messages, calls, or tagging after being asked to stop

Stay Cybersmart

Tips to deal with Online Harassment 

  • Control your privacy settings – Limit who can view your profiles, contact you, or see your posts on social media
  • Be mindful of what you share – Avoid posting sensitive personal details (e.g. location, workplace, daily routines)
  • Use platform safety tools – Block, mute, or restrict accounts, and filter keywords or comments where available
  • Don’t engage with harassers – Responding can escalate the situation; disengage instead
  • Keep evidence – Take screenshots or save messages in case you need to report the behaviour
  • Report and escalate – Use platform reporting tools and, if serious (e.g. threats), report to authorities
  • Secure your accounts – Use strong passwords and enable MFA to prevent impersonation or account takeover
  • Lean on support networks – Talk to friends, family, or colleagues if you’re being targeted
  • Separate personal and public presence – Consider using different accounts or limiting exposure if you’re in a public-facing role

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