cyberbully
B2formal, journalistic, educational, everyday (due to high societal relevance)
Definition
Meaning
To harass, threaten, or intimidate someone repeatedly using digital means, such as social media, text messages, or online forums.
The term also functions as a noun for the person who engages in such behavior, or as an adjective describing the act itself. It implies a sustained, deliberate, and harmful use of technology to target an individual or group.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The term carries strong negative moral and legal connotations. It is not used for a single, isolated negative comment, but rather for a pattern of abusive behavior. It overlaps with but is distinct from general 'online harassment', as it often involves a power imbalance and repeated targeting of a specific victim.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Spelling is consistent. Legal definitions and specific terminology in legislation (e.g., 'Malicious Communications Act' in UK vs. state-level 'cyberbullying laws' in US) may differ.
Connotations
Identical strong negative connotations in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally frequent and common in both varieties, given the global nature of the issue.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Subject] cyberbullies [Object][Object] was cyberbullied by [Subject]to engage in cyberbullyingVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Keyboard warrior (related, implies aggression from behind the anonymity of a keyboard)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare, except in HR/legal contexts discussing workplace harassment policies that extend to digital communication.
Academic
Common in psychology, sociology, education, and law research papers on digital behavior and adolescent welfare.
Everyday
Very common in discussions about online safety, parenting, school policies, and news reports.
Technical
Used in cybersecurity, digital forensics, and social media platform policy documents regarding abuse.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The group decided to cyberbully the new pupil by creating a fake social media profile.
- He was expelled for attempting to cyberbully a teaching assistant.
American English
- The prosecutor argued that the defendant used multiple accounts to cyberbully her former friend.
- Schools have strict policies against students who cyberbully their peers.
adverb
British English
- This is not typically used as an adverb. One would say 'bully someone online' or 'via cyberbullying'.
American English
- This is not typically used as an adverb. One would say 'harass someone digitally' or 'through cyberbullying'.
adjective
British English
- The school introduced a new programme to combat cyberbully behaviour.
- They were the target of a sustained cyberbully campaign.
American English
- The district has a zero-tolerance policy for cyberbully conduct.
- She presented research on cyberbully incidents among teenagers.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Cyberbullying is very bad.
- Do not cyberbully.
- Many schools have rules against cyberbullying.
- She was sad because someone cyberbullied her online.
- The documentary explored the severe psychological effects of being cyberbullied.
- Legislation is struggling to keep pace with new methods used to cyberbully.
- The perpetrator's sophisticated cyberbullying campaign, which involved impersonation and doctored images, resulted in a landmark civil case.
- Sociologists posit that the anonymity afforded by digital platforms exacerbates the propensity to cyberbully.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: a 'bully' who operates in 'cyber'space. The 'cyber' prefix instantly locates the harmful action in the digital world.
Conceptual Metaphor
BULLYING IS A DIGITAL WEAPON / THE INTERNET IS A BATTLEGROUND (for social conflict).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct calque from 'кибер' + 'запугивать' if it sounds unnatural; 'травля в интернете' or 'интернет-травля' are more standard noun phrases.
- The verb 'to cyberbully' is a single lexical item; do not translate as 'буллить в киберпространстве' but as 'заниматься кибербуллингом' or 'травить в сети'.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'cyberbully' to describe a single argument or disagreement online. It requires repetition and intent to harm.
- Confusing 'cyberstalking' (focused on obsessive tracking/fear) with 'cyberbullying' (focused on humiliation/social harm).
- Incorrect spelling: 'cyber bully' (as two words is less common for the noun, though sometimes seen).
Practice
Quiz
Which scenario BEST describes an act of cyberbullying?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is not a single, universally defined crime, but many acts involved in cyberbullying (harassment, threats, stalking, defamation) are criminal offenses in most jurisdictions. Many countries and states have specific laws addressing online harassment of minors.
Cyberbullying is targeted, repeated, and aimed at a specific person to cause harm. Trolling is often broader, aimed at provoking a reaction from a community or any respondent for the troll's amusement, and may not target a single individual persistently.
Yes. While the term is most associated with children and adolescents, the behavior—sustained digital harassment—can happen to adults in workplaces, within communities, or by strangers. The term 'online harassment' is often used interchangeably in adult contexts.
Recommended steps include: 1) Do not respond to the bully. 2) Save all evidence (screenshots, messages). 3) Report the behavior to the platform (social media site, game server). 4) Block the bully. 5) Tell a trusted person (parent, teacher, friend, HR). 6) In serious cases involving threats, report to the police.