Cyberbullying "involves the use of information and communication technologies to support
deliberate, repeated, and hostile
behavior by an individual or group, that is intended to harm others. -Bill Belsey"
The National Crime Prevention Council's definition of cyber-bullying is "when the Internet,
cell phones or other devices are used to send or post text or images intended to hurt
or embarrass another person."
StopCyberbullying.org, an expert organization dedicated to
internet safety, security and privacy, defines cyberbullying as: "a situation when a child,
tween or teen is repeatedly 'tormented, threatened, harassed, humiliated, embarrassed or otherwise
targeted' by another child, tween or teen using text messaging, email, instant messaging or any other
type of digital technology." Other researchers use similar language to describe the phenomenon.
Cyber-bullying can be as simple as continuing to send e-mail to someone who has said they want
no further contact with the sender, but it may also include threats, sexual remarks,
pejorative labels (i.e., hate speech), ganging up on victims by making them the subject
of ridicule
in forums, and posting false statements as fact aimed at humiliation.
Cyber-bullies may disclose victims' personal data (e.g. real name, address, or workplace/schools)
at websites or forums or may pose as the identity of a victim for the purpose of publishing material
in their name that defames or ridicules them. Some
cyberbullies may also send threatening
and harassing emails and instant messages to the victims, while other post rumors or gossip
and instigate others to dislike and gang up on the target.
Though the use of sexual remarks and threats are sometimes present in cyber-bullying, it is
not the same as sexual
harassment and does not necessarily involve sexual predators.
Source : wikipedia