Cyberbullying Prevention

Programs that attempt to reduce the incidence of cyberbullying, a form of harassment or stalking also known as "online bullying", that uses the Internet, cell phones or other devices to send or post text or images (particularly on social media sites) that are intended to hurt or embarrass another individual. Harmful bullying behavior can include posting rumors, a victim's personal information (e.g. real name, home address, or workplace/schools) or pejorative labels (hate speech) with the objective of damaging the victim's reputation and friendships. It may also include public actions such as repeated threats, sexual remarks or defamatory false accusations, ganging up on a victim by making the person the subject of ridicule in online forums, hacking into or vandalizing sites about a person, or posting false statements as fact that are aimed at discrediting or humiliating the targeted person. Cyberbullies may also use impersonation, creating fake accounts, comments or sites posing as their target for the purpose of publishing material in their name that defames, discredits or ridicules them. Many prevention programs are provided by schools systems and some jurisdictions may have laws that explicitly include electronic forms of communication within stalking or harassment laws.