Understanding Online Harassment and Cyberbullying

  1. Online harassment encompasses a range of malicious actions taken online to harm, intimidate, or belittle individuals or businesses.
  2. These actions can range from targeted threats and doxing to spreading false information or slander.
  3. As we grow more intimately through digital platforms, the implications of these attacks expand, potentially jeopardizing personal safety, mental health, and professional reputations.
  4. Persons affected often feel isolated, anxious, and unsure of how to address the situation.
  5. It’s crucial to recognize the signs and understand the gravity of online harassment to take appropriate action.

What Defines Online Harassment?

  1. Online harassment, also known as cyber harassment or internet harassment, refers to harassment that occurs in digital or online environments.
  2. It involves the use of digital communication tools and platforms, such as social media, email, instant messaging, online forums, or gaming platforms, to target, threaten, intimidate, or harm individuals or groups.
  3. According to a study at Pew Research center, online harassment can be categorized into 6 different categories:
    • Offensive name-calling
    • Purposeful embarrassment
    • Stalking (or Cyberstalking)
    • Physical threats
    • Harassment over a sustained period of time
    • Sexual harassment
  4. Anyone who has experienced any of these behaviors online has been subjected to cyber harassment.
  5. The study concludes that “social media is by far the most common venue cited for harassment” and that “41% of U.S. adults have personally experienced online harassment” (Vogels, 2021).

What Defines Online Harassment?

Explaining The Different Types of Online Harassment

1. Offensive name-calling:

    1. Offensive name-calling refers to using derogatory, insulting, or offensive language to address or describe someone online with the intention of demeaning or hurting the feelings of the targeted individual.
    2. This type of harassment can take place in various online spaces, including social media, chat rooms, or comment sections.

2, Purposeful embarrassment:

    1. Purposeful embarrassment involves deliberately sharing embarrassing or humiliating information or content about an individual online.
    2. This can include sharing embarrassing photos, videos, or personal stories without the person’s consent.
    3. The intent is to shame or humiliate the target in front of others, often causing emotional distress.

3. Stalking (or Cyberstalking):

    1. Stalking, whether online or offline, involves a pattern of intrusive and obsessive behavior aimed at a specific individual.
    2. In the online context, cyberstalking includes repeatedly sending unwanted messages, tracking a person’s online activity, and invading their digital privacy.
    3. It can escalate to threats and intimidation and may involve trying to gain access to personal information or accounts.

4. Physical threats:

    1. Online physical threats involve using digital communication to threaten physical harm to an individual or their loved ones, like death threats.
    2. Digital threats can range from vague statements of violence to specific, detailed threats that cause genuine fear for someone’s safety.
    3. These types of threats can be not only emotionally distressing but also illegal in most jurisdictions.

5. Harassment over a sustained period of time:

    1. This type of harassment refers to persistent and prolonged harassment directed at an individual over an extended period over the internet.
    2. It often involves a continuous stream of offensive messages, comments, or actions, and it can take a toll on the targeted individual’s mental and emotional well-being.

6. Sexual harassment:

    1. Sexual harassment in an online context involves unwelcome sexual advances, comments, or explicit content directed at an individual.
    2. This can include sending explicit messages, sharing explicit images without consent (often referred to as “revenge porn”), or making sexually suggestive remarks with the intent to demean or intimidate the targeted person.
    3. Sexual harassment online can be highly distressing and harmful, that’s why our attorneys work beyond expectations to get you through this difficult process and emotional distress.

How Can I Legally Stop Online Harassment?

Stopping online harassment in general is a groveling and tedious challenge, but there are multiple ways that you can address it and take legal action.

1. Document Everything and Preserve Evidence:

    1. Due to the nature of the internet, luckily all digital forms of communication have a permanent essence.
    2. Anything can be screenshotted, posts on social media or blog forms are public, and comments can be saved; keeping records of any of this information is imperative to get content taken down legally.
    3. Keep in mind that according to most jurisdictions, you will need to have specific documented information: times and dates, metadata, hash values, user information (like IP addresses), and other social media data.

2. Block and Report The Harasser, and Consult A Lawyer:

    1. Many community guidelines often do not support hateful content or abuse on their media platforms, so your best bet without an attorney’s guidance is to block the user and report them on whichever platform you’re getting harassed on.
    2. It is important here to make sure that your personal information here is kept private, like your full name associated with your address, phone number, place of work, credit card number, passwords, etc. to fully optimize your personal cybersecurity.
    3. Seek legal advice from an experienced attorney, like here at Centurion that specializes in cyber harassment or internet defamation to discuss your situation and legal avenues we’ll be able to guide you through.
    4. You can also explore civil litigation or online reputation management, like obtaining a restraining order (order of protection) against the abuser or filing a lawsuit for damages and online defamation.

3. Educate Yourself and Stay Safe

      1. Familiarize yourself with your local jurisdiction related to online harassment and cyberbullying; knowing your rights and remedies is essential to seeking legal services.
      2. Prioritize you and your loved one’s safety throughout the entire process.
      3. It’s not worth jeopardizing you or your loved one’s physical or emotional state.
      4. Avoid engaging with online harassers directly; if you do not know who your harasser is, there are steps to unmask their identities.
      5. If you do know who your harasser is, you need to seek immediate help from family, friends, and/or law enforcement if needed.

 

 

 

Generalized Laws Of Cyber Harassment In New York City:

  1. New York Penal Law Article 240:
    a. New York has several laws within Article 240 of the Penal Law that address various forms of harassment and stalking, which can apply to cyber harassment.
    b. For example, Section 240.30 deals with aggravated harassment, and Section 240.26 addresses stalking.
  2. Cyberbullying Laws:
    a. New York also has specific laws aimed at addressing cyberbullying in schools.
    b. The Dignity for All Students Act (DASA) prohibits harassment and bullying, including cyberbullying, in educational settings.
  3. Revenge Porn Laws:
    a. New York has laws that make the non-consensual distribution of intimate images (revenge porn) illegal under certain circumstances.

Generalized Laws Of Cyber Harassment In Chicago:

  1. Illinois Cyberstalking Laws:
    a. Cyber harassment and stalking are addressed under Illinois law, including the Cyberstalking Statute (720 ILCS 5/12-7.5), which makes it a crime to engage in online stalking or harassment.
  2. Harassment Laws:
    a. Illinois also has general harassment laws (720 ILCS 5/26.5-0.1) that can apply to various forms of harassment, including online harassment.
  3. Revenge Porn Laws:
    a. Illinois has specific laws (720 ILCS 5/11-23.5) that criminalize the non-consensual distribution of private sexual images or videos, commonly known as revenge porn.

Centurion's Response to Digital Threats and Cyber Harassment

  1. Experiencing online harassment can be overwhelming, but Centurion Law Firm is here to guide and protect you.
  2. Our compassionate attorneys and staff will ensure that you will be meticulously guided through our processes while simultaneously offering professional legal advice and resources for your well-being.

Contact us today to place a halt on digital threats now.

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