As a parent in South Africa, it’s terrifying to think that your kids may be facing cyberbullying. Learning the types of cyberbullying can help you recognize and prevent online harassment. Becoming more educated on the subject will help you arm yourself and protect your children.
We all wish we lived in a world where children were safe from harassment. A world where they can exist in a bubble of joy and laughter, protected from any form of pain. Sadly, that isn’t the world we live in.
In fact, it’s been reported that 51.5% of South African children have experienced cyberbullying. That’s more than half of the population of children. This staggering number emphasizes the importance of learning about the types of cyberbullying and how teens can stay safe online.
It’s our goal at ADS to not only educate but empower and protect. We seek to create that dream world where South African teens are safe from harm, both online and physically. If you or any teen you know is struggling with cyberbullying, please reach out.
We’re always here to support you.
What is Cyberbullying?
Cyberbullying is when someone uses the internet, social media, or any other digital platform to harass, threaten, or embarrass another person. Basically, cyberbullying is any type of bullying that people experience online. And unfortunately, it’s becoming more prevalent with South African teens.
A few recent reports showed that between 15.2% to 46.7% of adolescents in South Africa are cyber-victims. These reports reinforce an important message: Change needs to happen. Our teens cannot continue to endure online harassment.
Learning the different types of cyberbullying is the first step towards that change. It will make it easier to spot the signs of cyberbullying. And the sooner you spot them, the sooner you can act.
Why is Cyberbullying Different From Other Types of Bullying?
Unlike traditional bullying, the types of cyberbullying usually take place anonymously. They happen online and this makes it a lot harder for victims to identify their bullies. It also opens the victim up to harassment from a wider audience.
One negative comment can lead to hours, days, or even weeks of trolling. The other types of bullying usually happen face to face but most cyberbullies are faceless. They hide behind their screens and leave hurtful comments that can crush the spirit of the receiver.
They anonymously attack innocent teens by creating fake profiles to harass, humiliate, and intimidate them. This anonymity gives bullies more confidence. It pushes them to say things they likely wouldn’t say in person.
10 Types of Cyberbullying and How They Affect Victims
Cyberbullying takes many forms, and in this section, we’ll explore 10 types of cyberbullying commonly found in South Africa. It’s important to stay educated and learn the ways cyberbullying can present itself. The more you know, the better equipped you will be if this situation arises.
Here are the various forms of cyberbullying:
1. Harassment
One of the most common types of cyberbullying in South Africa is harassment. This is when someone repeatedly sends hurtful or threatening messages to another person. The cyberbullies use platforms like social media, gaming platforms, and emails to harass their victims.
In most cases, the victim receives targeted and continuous threats or offensive and abusive messages. Teens who experience this barely have a moment of peace. They can’t even check their phones anymore because they’re scared a hurtful message is waiting for them there.
2. Trolling
Trolling is one of the most common types of cyberbullying found on social media platforms and gaming communities. It is similar to harassment because it involves leaving harmful comments online. The difference is that trolls hope to achieve something with the hate they spread.
Their goal is to provoke, upset, or annoy others online. They do this for their own entertainment or to get a response from their victims. All they want is a reaction so they leave mean comments, start arguments, or post offensive content.
While some South Africans see trolling as harmless, it often escalates into more severe types of cyberbullying like harassment. When this happens, victims go from receiving one negative comment to receiving several hurtful comments repeatedly.
3. Flaming
Flaming is the more harmful version of trolling. While trolling is usually done for fun and entertainment, flaming involves personal attacks. The cyberbully posts aggressive, offensive, or insulting messages online that are a direct attack on someone else.
Like trolling, the goal is to get a reaction which in this case is a fight. Victims of flaming and trolling often feel embarrassed, anxious, or depressed. This shows just how dangerous these types of cyberbullying are.
4. Doxxing
Now that we’ve covered the first three types of cyberbullying, we’ll move on to the fourth. Doxxing refers to the unauthorized sharing of personal information. It’s one of the worst examples of cyberbullying because it has the potential to cause physical harm to the victim.
Imagine a teenager whose home or school address gets shared on Facebook. This immediately opens them up to potential physical assault because someone dangerous might see the address and go after them. This is the risk of doxxing.
Unlike other types of cyberbullying, doxxing has real-world consequences that can endanger a victim’s safety.
5. Impersonation or Masquerading
Impersonation is one of the hardest types of cyberbullying to detect. It involves stealing someone’s identity and using it to harm their reputation. Teens who experience this often feel powerless as they watch people judge them for things they didn’t do.
The cyberbully usually creates a fake account in the victim’s name and posts humiliating or harmful content. It’s an awful experience, one that leaves the victim with an almost unrepairable reputation. Humiliating content might also provoke physical bullying, taking away the peace teens should feel at school.
6. Exclusion
Exclusion involves deliberately leaving someone out of online groups, discussions, or activities. It’s not as harmful as the other types of cyberbullying but it can still have terrible effects on the victim’s mental health. When teenagers are excluded they might start to doubt their self-worth which can lead to depression.
7. Trickery
Cyber tricksters befriend teens online and coerce them into revealing personal or embarrassing information. Then they share this information with other people. Teenagers who experience this blame themselves for not realizing it sooner.
But it is not their fault.
8. Cyberstalking
Cyberstalking is when someone monitors and tracks another person online. It can also involve constant messaging, spreading false information, or even threatening the victim. It is similar to harassment in this way.
Victims of cyberstalking usually experience severe anxiety and fear. This makes it one of the most distressing types of cyberbullying.
9. Catfishing
Catfishing is one of the forms of cyberbullying that teens may experience online. It’s when someone creates a fake online identity to trick others. In some cases, this can be a harmless prank but it can also be a serious deception.
People often use fake identities to start relationships or scam others. Teens who have been catfished might feel upset, betrayed, or embarrassed. Sometimes they may even start feeling unsafe online.
10. Revenge Porn and Sextortion
Revenge porn is one of the most severe types of cyberbullying. It involves sharing intimate pictures or videos of another person without their consent. The cyberbully does this to embarrass or hurt their victim.
And they usually succeed. Having private intimate content shared for the whole world to see is a painful and humiliating experience.
Sextortion is when someone threatens to share intimate content unless the victim gives the money. Both types of cyberbullying are extremely damaging. They leave victims feeling ashamed, scared, and powerless.
How Can Cyberbullying Be Prevented?
Here’s how you can be safe online and avoid the different types of cyberbullying:
- Strengthen your privacy settings.
- Block and report bullies.
- Protect your passwords.
- Don’t respond or retaliate.
- Set limits on screen time
- Promote kindness online.
- Educate others.
Conclusion
As more South African teens are gaining access to the internet, they are experiencing various types of cyberbullying. A survey conducted in Cape Town, Durban, and Johannesburg revealed that 81% of teens, aged 13-17, have a computer at home and 62% use it to go online. This number will continue to rise as even more teens are exposed to the internet.
Knowing the types of cyberbullying is the first step to creating a safer digital environment in South Africa. Our website has lots of resources to help you navigate the complex world of cyberbullying and all other mental health issues that may affect teenagers.
