cyberbullying
SY-ber-boo-lee-ing
/ˈsaɪbərbʊliɪŋ/
The act of bullying someone using electronic communication, such as social media, text messages, or email.
Specifically refers to bullying that occurs through digital means, often involving repeated, hostile behavior intended to harm another person.
The story behind the word. The word 'cyberbullying' is a relatively modern coinage, combining 'cyber-' (from 'cybernetics,' relating to computers and information technology) with 'bullying.' 'Bully' itself comes from the Middle Dutch 'boele,' meaning 'lover' or 'brother,' which surprisingly evolved to mean a 'hired ruffian' and then 'one who habitually intimidates weaker people.' So, cyberbullying is simply the digital version of this age-old aggressive behavior.
Word relationships
- online harassment: Broader term, can include a single instance or non-repeated acts, not necessarily bullying.
- digital abuse: More general, can refer to various forms of harmful online behavior beyond bullying.
- online kindness: General opposite concept.
- digital civility: Refers to polite and respectful online behavior.
Commonly confused with
- bullying: Bullying is a general term; cyberbullying specifies the digital medium.
- harassment: Harassment can be a single act; cyberbullying implies repeated, targeted behavior.
Word family
- cyberbully (noun/verb): A person who cyberbullies; to engage in cyberbullying.
Collocations
- prevent cyberbullying
- address cyberbullying
- victims of cyberbullying
- cyberbullying campaign
Example sentences
- "The school implemented a new program to educate students about the dangers of cyberbullying and how to report it." Discussing online safety for teenagers.
- "Studies show that cyberbullying can have severe psychological effects on young victims, leading to anxiety and depression." A news report on internet safety.
Memory hook
Think of 'CYBER' as being online, and 'BULLYING' as being mean. Online + mean = cyberbullying. Online meanie
When not to use
Do not use for face-to-face bullying or general online harassment that isn't specifically bullying (e.g., a single rude comment).
Fun facts
- The term 'cyberbullying' gained widespread recognition in the early 2000s with the rise of social media and instant messaging.
Related words
Explore more words
cybercrime, Harassment, Stalking, malicious, defamation, spoofing
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