Cyberbullying

Cyberbullying is the use of electronic communication systems such as phones, computers, social media platforms, messaging platforms or games to menace, harass or cause offence. Cyberbullying is generally an intentional and repeated behaviour, however online, it can be defined by just one action or incident, as this incident may be seen or observed by multiple people in online environments.

How does cyberbullying impact young people with a disability?

Cyberbullying was the most cited online safety incident in research conducted by the office of the eSafety Commissioner on young people living with a disability in 2020.

Experiences included people saying unkind things online and being excluded on social media and in interactive gaming. In the research sample, perpetrators were both strangers as well as people known to the young person.

Over the years, Cyberbullying has dramatically evolved from mean and nasty words to encompass wider negative online behaviours, including actions such as:

  • Impersonation
  • Cyberostracism (being left out or excluded)
  • Screenshotting
  • Roasting or Banter
  • Polling
  • Indirect or passive bullying by using lyrics in songs or memes

This Online Safety Training is a joint initiative between Interaction and ySafe and has been made possible by funding from the eSafety Commissioner's Online Safety Grants program.