Online harassment refers to a range of actions intending to harm, intimidate, or harass an individual through digital platforms. This behavior can take many forms, including:
- Bullying: Repeatedly sending threatening, demeaning, or aggressive messages.
- Trolling: Deliberately provoking or upsetting others to elicit strong emotional reactions.
- Doxxing: Releasing private or personal information about someone without their consent to damage their reputation or safety.
- Stalking: Monitoring or tracking someone online in a way that invades their privacy or causes distress.
- Impersonation: Pretending to be someone else to deceive or harm them.
- Spreading rumors: Disseminating false information to damage someone's reputation.
- Sexual Harassment: Sending unwanted sexual messages, images, or comments.
Online harassment can take place through various channels, including social media, email, chat rooms, and forums. It often leads to significant emotional distress for the victim and can have serious psychological and social consequences. Many jurisdictions have laws against online harassment, and platforms often have policies in place to address such behavior.