When the internet is filled with opinionated trolls, it can be hard for users to avoid being harassed online. If you or someone you know is being consistently attacked online by someone, there are ways to avoid and potentially end the harassment. In this blog, we will discuss what is online harassment, and What To Do If Someone Is Harassing You Online.
What is Online Harassing Behavior?
Online harassment is any type of harassing conduct that takes place on the internet. Offensive conduct becomes unlawful when it creates a hostile or intimidating work environment or when enduring such conduct is a condition of employment. It can come in the form of threats, name-calling, stalking, or other types of abusive behavior. Unfortunately, online harassment is all too common, with over half of all internet users reporting that they’ve experienced it in some form.
- Threats
- Name-calling
- Stalking
- Offensive jokes
- Physical conduct
Physical harassment includes various types of intimidation, ridicule, and physical conduct based on an individual’s protected status.
Identifying Harassing Behavior
Harassing behavior can manifest in many forms, including verbal, physical, and visual conduct. It can be directed at an individual or a group and often targets characteristics such as race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, or genetic information. Harassing behavior can be subtle or overt and can come from anyone, including supervisors, coworkers, clients, or customers.
Some common examples of harassing behavior include:
- Unwelcome comments or jokes about an individual’s appearance, clothing, or personal characteristics.
- Derogatory comments or slurs based on an individual’s race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, or genetic information.
- Physical conduct, such as touching, pushing, or blocking an individual’s path.
- Visual conduct, such as displaying offensive images or symbols.
- Repeatedly asking an individual out on dates or making unwanted sexual advances.
- Making threats or intimidating an individual.
It’s essential to recognize that harassing behavior can be subjective. What one person considers harassing, another might not. However, if an individual feels uncomfortable, intimidated, or threatened by someone’s behavior, it’s likely to be considered harassing.
Assessing the Situation
When assessing whether a situation constitutes harassment, consider the following factors:
- The behavior: Is the behavior unwelcome, uninvited, or unreciprocated?
- The impact: Does the behavior create a hostile or intimidating environment?
- The context: Is the behavior part of a larger pattern or a one-time incident?
- The power dynamics: Is there a power imbalance, such as between a supervisor and an employee?
- The individual’s response: Has the individual expressed discomfort or asked for the behavior to stop?
If you’re unsure whether a situation constitutes harassment, it’s always best to err on the side of caution. Seek guidance from a supervisor, HR representative, or a trusted authority figure to help you navigate the situation.
What To Do If Someone Is Harassing You Online
If you are a victim of online harassment here are a couple of tips you can utilize to help, put an end to the cyber-attack.
Report Harassment to Someone
Most victims of online harassment are frightened to tell someone about what’s going on, especially if they are teens. The threats they may face could make them feel scared, alone, and powerless. This is when the support of loved ones is very important. If you are being harassed online, it’s okay to let someone know about what’s going on. Support from a friend or family member can help you gain the courage to take action against your harasser! The more support you have, the more resilience you can gain!
Alert the Police
If you’re being harassed or receive threatening messages, you may want to consider filing a police report. In some cases, online harassment is a crime, and the police may be able to help catch the person responsible and bring them to justice.
Before you report online harassment, it’s a good idea to document the harassment by taking screenshots or saving copies of offensive posts, emails, or messages. This will give the police evidence they can use to help builds their case.
It’s also important to remember that not all types of online harassment are against the law. For example, name-calling and mean comments aren’t against the law, but they can still be hurtful. If you decide to file a police report, keep this in mind — the prosecutor will need to prove that what happened meets the legal definition of harassment, which can be difficult to do in some cases.
Block the Person Engaging in Harassing Conduct
Most social media platforms and websites have blocking features that allow you to stop someone from being able to contact or see you online. This can be an effective way to stop someone who’s harassing you, especially if they don’t know your phone number or email address.
The majority of platforms also have reporting features that let you flag offensive content or users for review by administrators. They may then take action against the person responsible, such as banning them from the site.
Keep in mind that blocking someone may not always stop the harassment. Even if you block someone who’s harassing you, they may find other ways to contact you — for example, by creating new accounts on social media sites or sending emails from different addresses. If this happens, don’t respond — doing so will only encourage them. Instead, document everything and report it to platform administrators as described above. You may also want to consider changing your username, profile picture, and other personal information so the person harassing cannot easily find and contact you again.
Seeking Support
If you’re experiencing harassment, seeking support is crucial. Here are some steps you can take:
- Talk to a supervisor or HR representative: Report the harassment and provide as much detail as possible.
- Contact a support hotline: Many organizations offer support hotlines or counseling services.
- Reach out to a trusted friend or family member: Talking to someone you trust can help you process your emotions and gain perspective.
- Consider seeking legal advice: If the harassment is severe or persistent, legal advice may be necessary.
Remember, you don’t have to face harassment alone. There are resources available to support you through this challenging time.
Documenting the Harassment
Documenting harassment is crucial for building a case against the perpetrator. Here are some tips for documenting harassment:
- Keep a record of incidents: Write down the date, time, location, and details of each incident.
- Save evidence: Keep any emails, text messages, or other communications that may be relevant.
- Take photos or videos: If possible, document any physical evidence, such as graffiti or vandalism.
- Get witness statements: If there were witnesses, ask them to provide a statement.
- Keep a record of any reports: Document any reports you make to your supervisor, HR representative, or law enforcement.
Ensure your documentation is confidential and secure to protect your privacy.
Understanding Your Rights
As an individual, you have the right to work in a safe and respectful environment, free from harassment. Here are some key rights to understand:
- The right to report harassment: You can report harassment to your supervisor, HR representative, or law enforcement.
- The right to a safe work environment: Your employer must provide a safe and respectful work environment.
- The right to protection from retaliation: You are protected from retaliation for reporting harassment or participating in an investigation.
- The right to confidentiality: Your employer must keep your report confidential and protect your privacy.
Remember, you have the right to work in a harassment-free environment. Don’t hesitate to seek support and report any incidents of harassment.
So, What to Do If You’re a Victim?
Online harassment is a serious problem that too many people have to deal with on a daily basis. If you’re being harassed online, know that there are ways you can stop it — and even file a police report if necessary. By saving any evidence of the harassment and taking action against your internet trolls, you can help put an end to online harassment once and for all!
Thank you for reading our article “What To Do If Someone Is Harassing You Anonymously Online”.
