Cyberbullying can take many forms, some obvious and others more subtle. It’s not always easy to spot, but here are some common ways it happens:

• Posting hurtful comments online: Whether it’s on Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, or even a group chat, this is one of the most common forms of cyberbullying. Someone might leave mean, insulting, or hateful comments under a person’s post. These comments can target someone’s appearance, interests, or personality, making them feel ashamed or embarrassed in front of others.
• Spreading rumors or lies through social media or text messages: Imagine logging into your account and seeing false information about you going viral. It could be a rumor about who you’re dating, a twisted version of something you said, or even completely made-up lies. Once these rumors start spreading, it can feel impossible to control who believes what, and the damage can be hard to undo.
• Sharing embarrassing pictures or videos without permission: Whether it’s a snap that was meant to be private or an unflattering photo taken without you knowing, cyberbullies might share these images with others to humiliate or embarrass someone. This can be especially harmful since, once an image is shared online, it can be downloaded, saved, and reposted over and over again.
• Creating fake profiles to impersonate and humiliate someone: Some cyberbullies take things even further by making fake accounts, pretending to be their victim, and then posting things designed to make that person look bad. This form of bullying can destroy someone’s reputation and trust with their friends, family, or followers.
• Excluding someone on purpose: Another, less obvious, form of cyberbullying is intentionally leaving someone out. It could be as simple as not tagging someone in a group photo or purposely excluding them from an online group chat or game. While it might not seem like a big deal at first, this type of exclusion can make someone feel isolated, unimportant, and unwanted.