Online harassment is harassment that takes place online, including through email, instant messaging, social media, blogs, gaming platforms and chat rooms. It can include offensive, abusive, threatening, racist or explicit content.
Online harassment may involve cyber-bullying or “trolling”. It can include creating fake profiles, or sharing altered or AI-generated images, videos or audio that appear to show or sound like someone.
The University’s Student Disciplinary Procedure gives more detail about online misconduct.
Experiencing online harassment or cyberbullying can be difficult and distressing. It can feel very invasive and hard to escape.
Examples of online harassment or bullying could include:
- Spreading malicious and abusive rumours
- Emails, texts and messages which are threatening or intimidating
- Being targeted by a group, including people encouraging others to send you abusive messages or exclude you online
- Posting images or videos of you without your consent that may embarrass or humiliate you
- Posting or sharing your private details online without your consent
- Blackmail or intimidation
- Grooming, or trying to goad you to do something, for example self-harm or crime.
- Are you in immediate danger or need urgent medical help? If you are in immediate danger or have been seriously injured, call the emergency services on 999 (or 112 from a mobile phone). Report and Support is not an emergency reporting tool.
- Find a safe space. If an incident has happened, and you are able to, try to get to a safe place.
- Call Campus Security if you are on campus - 01227 823333.
- Avoid engaging, if you are able to do so. Responding may not stop the behaviour, and can sometimes encourage further contact.
- Keep a record and consider reporting the behaviour. If it is safe and you feel comfortable doing so, save messages, images and emails; take screenshots; and note dates, times and any patterns. Do not put yourself at risk to collect evidence. If you think this may be stalking, seek advice before blocking an account or changing your contact details, as this may affect risk in some situations.
- Tell someone you trust. This could be a friend, family member, member of staff or University support service. You do not have to deal with it alone.
- Look after your wellbeing. You may feel shocked, frightened, angry, numb or unsure how you feel. These are all understandable responses.
- Review your privacy and security settings. Check your social-media privacy settings, turn off location sharing where possible, use strong and unique passwords, and enable two-factor authentication.
If someone has created a profile using your name, photographs or personal information, report it to the relevant platform. Fake accounts may be used to contact you or others, gather personal information about you, or damage your reputation. You can report a fake profile, or online harassment and bullying, using the below links:
For more information about support at the University, or for external support, please see below.
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What is harassment and bullying?
I think I have experienced harassment or bullying.
I think someone I know has experienced harassment or bullying.