{"id":352683,"date":"2016-04-04T10:42:08","date_gmt":"2016-04-04T15:42:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/consumer\/online-scams\/what-is-cyberbullying.html"},"modified":"2024-07-17T15:44:20","modified_gmt":"2024-07-17T20:44:20","slug":"what-is-cyberbullying","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/consumer\/online-scams\/what-is-cyberbullying.html","title":{"rendered":"What Is Cyberbullying?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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What Is Cyberbullying?<\/h1>\n
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\n By Hannah Hilst<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Amber Sheppard, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

Cyberbullying is harassment that happens via the internet or digital devices. For example, it can happen through text messages, social media posts, and video game chatter. Cyberbullying often includes threats and intimidation. It can also involve the posting or sending of private pictures and information.<\/p>\r\n

Cyberbullying doesn’t only affect young people. Anyone online can become a target of harassment. Anyone can suffer severe emotional and reputational harm due to online bullying.<\/p>\r\n

This article discusses cyberbullying from a consumer protection angle. You can also learn about the criminal laws related to cyberbullying<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n

How Is Cyberbullying Different from Bullying?<\/h2>\r\n

Bullying happens in person, but cyberbullying happens via technology.<\/p>\r\n

For example, bullies at school<\/a> may harass other students at recess. Bullying behavior might involve direct verbal insults and physical assault. The bullying stops once the school day ends and the children return home.<\/p>\r\n

Cyberbullying is different because digital technology is pervasive. Victims may be unable to avoid cyberbullying by simply going home. Even if the victim stays offline, the online bullying may continue to affect their real-world life.<\/p>\r\n

Common Types of Cyberbullying<\/h2>\r\n

Cyberbullying varies in complexity. Sometimes, it can be as straightforward as harassment over instant messaging or direct texts to the victim’s cell phone. But cyberbullying could also involve more deception than traditional bullying.<\/p>\r\n

Some cyberbullies have created fake personal profiles to ridicule a victim. These profiles may be part of a catfishing scam<\/a> to surveil or embarrass them. They may even use identity theft to pose as someone the victim knows to get sensitive information. Cyberbullies might also create multiple fake accounts to evade a social media platform’s blocking feature.<\/p>\r\n

The internet often provides anonymity on forums and chat rooms. People may use "trolling" to incite and offend others for personal amusement. Trolling can vary in intensity, sometimes turning into cyberbullying. Trolls may undermine their behavior by claiming it was just a joke. Yet, cyberbullying is harassment nonetheless.<\/p>\r\n

In some cases, bullies have sent nude or embarrassing pictures of the victim. Cyberbullying that involves sexual content online<\/a> can quickly become a serious legal matter.<\/p>\r\n

Laws Against Cyberbullying<\/h2>\r\n

If you or your child become the target of online harassment, consider your legal rights. The local laws where you live can help stop bullying. In tragic cases of self-harm, suicide, and other serious effects, laws may offer a path to justice.<\/p>\r\n

Federal Cyberbullying Laws<\/h3>\r\n

No federal law specifically addresses cyberbullying. But other federal laws can offer protection. If the victim gets bullied because of their race, gender, disability, or religion, then civil rights laws<\/a> may apply.<\/p>\r\n

State Cyberbullying Laws<\/h3>\r\n

Nearly every state has enacted some sort of anti-cyberbullying law, such as:<\/p>\r\n