Cyberbullying is something that can happen to any child, even yours. Cyberbullying often occurs when someone shares, posts, and sends hurtful and negative content about another online. This can be done through instant messaging, online forums, social networking sites, chat rooms, and online gaming. According to the Cyberbullying Research Center, about 12% of kids ages 12 to 17 have been cyberbullied. Of those, 30% say it has happened more than once. As a parent, how can you tell if your child has been the victim of a cyberbully? First, you must educate yourself on the different types of cyberbullying so you’ll be able to recognize it.
12 Types of Cyberbullying To Be Aware Of
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Fraping
Fraping occurs when a person on social media posts inappropriate content about another and tags them. Examples of inappropriate content include racial slurs, explicit photos, and videos, as well as threatening comments.
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Impersonation/Catfishing
When an online user pretends to be another person online by cloning their account and personal information. They will pretend to be the other person in every aspect, including friending/following their friends on social media.
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Denigration
This is one of the most common forms of cyberbullying online. It happens when a person is sending and posting gossip and rumours about someone in order to damage their reputation.
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Dissing
Similar to denigration, dissing happens when a person posts, shares, and messages mean information about another. The cyberbully typically wants to ruin their victim’s reputation or personal relationships.
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Doxing
Personal and private information should never be shared by someone other than the person the information belongs to. Once information is out on the web, it is out there for all to see. Doxing is when someone, without consent, shares another person’s personal information online.
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Trickery
This is just how it sounds. A cyberbully tricks their victim into trusting them and sharing their personal information and secrets with them. Then, the cyberbully shares that information on the internet or via messaging.
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Cyberstalking
Cyberstalking involves the monitoring and threatening of another person online. It can result in the victim fearing for their safety. This form of cyberbullying could lead to physical harm and offline stalking.
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Masquerading
An online user will create a fake profile for the sole purpose of cyberbullying others. They will assume a new identity online, via email or social media, to trick their victim, gain their trust, and eventually bully them.
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Trolling
A troll, in relation to cyberbullying, is someone who intentionally seeks out to upset many people online with malicious intent. These cyberbullying trolls typically don’t know their victims, they just crave the negativity of others.
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Harassment
Many different types of cyberbullying may fall into the category of harassment. Harassment involves the continued pattern of posting threatening or mean content about someone with the intent to do emotional and/or physical harm.
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Exclusion
Exclusion is when someone is purposely excluded from an online group, forum, chat, or event. For example, a kid will prevent another from joining in on their messaging group to be mean and demonstrate they don’t belong in their friend circle.
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Flaming
Flaming involves the intentional posting about a person or direct messaging their victim with the intent to insult and cause emotional harm. This is very similar to trolling, but it always involves one single target.
By now knowing the various forms of cyberbullying, you’ll be able to better protect your child online. It’s also wise to tell them that they can come to you with whatever online concerns or troubles they are having.