Cyberbullying: a beginner's guide

• A. A single heated argument between two friends over text message
• B. Repeated, intentional harm inflicted on someone through digital devices or online platforms ✓
• C. Any criticism of a person's opinion posted on social media
• D. Accidentally sending a message to the wrong person

Why: Cyberbullying involves repeated and intentional harmful behavior carried out through digital technology. A one-time argument or accidental message does not meet this definition, and honest criticism of ideas is not inherently bullying.

• A. It always involves physical violence
• B. It can reach the target at any time and often has a wide, permanent audience ✓
• C. It only happens between adults
• D. It never involves people the target knows

Why: Cyberbullying can follow a person into their home and continue around the clock. Content can be shared widely and may persist online for a long time, which makes it hard for the target to escape.

• A. Tagging a friend in a funny meme they find amusing
• B. Creating a fake account to post humiliating messages about a classmate ✓
• C. Recommending a good book to someone in a group chat
• D. Disagreeing with a post during a respectful online discussion

Why: Creating a fake account to spread humiliating content is intentional, repeated harm targeting a specific person, which is a core example of cyberbullying. The other options are either positive interactions or respectful disagreement.

• A. Because it is always anonymous, so the target cannot respond
• B. Because harmful content can spread quickly, be saved or shared, and remain accessible for a long time ✓
• C. Because it only affects people who already have low self-esteem
• D. Because online messages are never taken seriously by others

Why: Digital content can be screenshotted, forwarded, and reposted far beyond the original audience, and it can remain online for years. This lasting, wide reach can intensify emotional distress for the target.

• A. Join in with comments to show you agree with the group
• B. Share the harmful content so more people can see it
• C. Support the target privately, avoid spreading the content, and report it to a trusted adult or the platform ✓
• D. Ignore it completely because it is none of your business

Why: Bystanders play an important role. Supporting the target, refusing to spread harmful content, and reporting it to a trusted adult or the platform can help stop the behavior. Joining in or sharing makes the harm worse, and ignoring it allows it to continue.

• A. Sending repeated friendly messages to someone who has asked you to stop
• B. Posting hostile, insulting, or inflammatory messages intended to provoke an emotional reaction ✓
• C. Sharing a person's private photos without their consent
• D. Creating a fake account to impersonate someone else

Why: Flaming refers to hostile, insulting, or provocative messages designed to upset or provoke others, often in public forums, comment sections, or group chats.

• A. Locking someone out of their social media accounts
• B. Repeatedly sending unwanted messages to someone
• C. Publishing someone's private information, such as their home address or phone number, without permission ✓
• D. Editing a photo of someone to make them look foolish

Why: Doxxing involves revealing private or identifying information about a person online without their consent, often to expose, intimidate, or endanger them.

• A. Making a joke about a classmate in a group chat
• B. Ignoring a message from someone you don't know well
• C. Creating a fake profile using someone else's name and photos to post embarrassing content ✓
• D. Disagreeing with someone's opinion in a public forum

Why: Impersonation involves pretending to be another person online, often to damage their reputation, spread false information, or get them in trouble.

• A. Deliberately leaving someone out of group chats, games, or online activities to make them feel rejected ✓
• B. Blocking spam accounts that send unsolicited advertisements
• C. Choosing not to follow a public figure on social media
• D. Setting your profile to private so only friends can see your posts

Why: Exclusion is the deliberate isolation of a person from online groups or activities, which can cause significant social and emotional harm.

• A. Searching for a restaurant's reviews before visiting
• B. Repeatedly monitoring someone's online activity and sending threatening or fearful messages ✓
• C. Following a news outlet on social media for updates
• D. Joining a public discussion about a popular TV show

Why: Cyberstalking involves persistent, unwanted monitoring or contact that causes a person to feel fear, distress, or threatened, and it can be a serious criminal offense.

• A. Adults over 65
• B. Children and teenagers ✓
• C. Government employees
• D. Professional athletes

Why: Cyberbullying is most frequently reported among children and teenagers, largely because they spend significant time online and social media plays a central role in their social lives.

• A. Having a strong circle of supportive friends
• B. Being perceived as different from peers ✓
• C. Limiting time spent on social media
• D. Having parents who monitor online activity

Why: Students who are perceived as different, whether because of appearance, identity, background, or ability, are often targeted. Strong support networks and parental involvement typically reduce vulnerability rather than increase it.

• A. It always involves physical violence
• B. It can reach victims at any hour and be seen by a large audience ✓
• C. It is always anonymous and therefore untraceable
• D. It only affects the bully, not the victim

Why: Cyberbullying can follow a victim into their home and remain online permanently, and content can spread quickly to a large audience, which can intensify feelings of humiliation and isolation.

• A. They never experience any emotional effects
• B. They fear losing device or internet access or worry about retaliation ✓
• C. They are legally required to keep it secret
• D. Schools automatically punish all reporters

Why: Many victims worry that telling an adult will lead to losing their phone or internet access, or that reporting will make the bullying worse. Understanding these fears helps adults create safer reporting environments.

• A. No one else, since it is a private interaction
• B. Bystanders, friends, and family members who witness or are close to the victim ✓
• C. Only the bully's family
• D. Only people who are online at the time

Why: Witnesses can experience stress, guilt, or desensitization, while friends and family may feel helpless or worried. Cyberbullying often has a ripple effect across a whole community.

• A. Showing increased interest in outdoor sports
• B. Becoming secretive or suddenly anxious about their phone or online accounts ✓
• C. Eating more meals with the family
• D. Asking more questions about school subjects

Why: A sudden change in how a young person handles their devices, such as becoming secretive, anxious, or upset when receiving messages, is a common warning sign of cyberbullying. Positive changes like more family meals or greater interest in learning are not typically associated with being targeted online.

• A. They have simply grown bored of gaming and nothing is wrong
• B. They may be withdrawing because of negative online interactions and should be checked on gently ✓
• C. They are preparing for a major exam
• D. They have started a new hobby that requires no devices

Why: Withdrawal from previously enjoyed online activities can signal that the person is avoiding harmful interactions. A gentle, non-judgmental check-in is the best response, since it opens communication without making the young person feel blamed.

• A. A steady increase in cheerfulness after using social media
• B. Unexplained sadness, irritability, or fear, especially after going online ✓
• C. Greater confidence when speaking in class
• D. Improved sleep and appetite

Why: Cyberbullying often causes emotional distress, which can appear as unexplained sadness, irritability, or fear, particularly around the times someone goes online. Improved confidence, sleep, and appetite are generally not associated with being targeted.

• A. Frequently laughing at or mocking others' posts, or quickly switching screens when adults approach ✓
• B. Asking teachers for extra homework
• C. Spending time reading books in the library
• D. Volunteering to help classmates with their projects

Why: Signs that someone may be bullying others online include mocking others' content, hiding their screen, or becoming defensive when asked about their online activity. Academic help, reading, and volunteering are generally positive behaviors.

• A. Immediately punish the child for hiding activity
• B. Ignore it, since children always create new accounts
• C. Calmly open a conversation to understand the reason, keeping the child feeling safe to share ✓
• D. Post about the situation publicly to get help

Why: Deleting accounts and creating new ones can signal that a child is escaping harassment or hiding something. A calm, supportive conversation encourages the child to share what happened, whereas punishment may cause them to hide the problem further.

• A. Increased confidence and self-esteem
• B. Anxiety and persistent worry about online interactions ✓
• C. Improved sleep and daily energy
• D. Greater interest in social activities

Why: Cyberbullying often causes anxiety, including constant worry about new messages or posts, because the harassment can follow victims everywhere through their devices.

• A. It only happens at school during the day
• B. It can reach victims at any time and be seen by a large audience ✓
• C. It always involves physical harm
• D. Online messages are usually forgotten quickly

Why: Cyberbullying can occur 24/7, often reaches a wide audience quickly, and content can be shared, saved, or re-shared, which can make the experience feel inescapable and humiliating.

• A. Depression and feelings of hopelessness ✓
• B. Improved concentration at school
• C. A stronger sense of belonging
• D. Reduced stress levels

Why: Prolonged exposure to online harassment is linked to depression, feelings of hopelessness, and withdrawal, which is why recognizing these signs early matters.

• A. Respond aggressively to the bully to show strength
• B. Save evidence, block the bully, and tell a trusted adult ✓
• C. Delete all social media accounts immediately without telling anyone
• D. Ignore any feelings of distress and say nothing

Why: Saving evidence, blocking the harasser, and reporting to a trusted adult help protect the victim's safety and emotional well-being while allowing others to provide support.

• A. Sudden withdrawal from friends, family, and activities they once enjoyed ✓
• B. Eagerly sharing more personal posts online
• C. Asking for more time on their devices every day
• D. Showing increased interest in group projects

Why: Sudden withdrawal, changes in mood, loss of interest in previously enjoyed activities, and avoiding devices or social situations can all be warning signs of emotional distress caused by cyberbullying.

• A. Join in so you don't become the next target
• B. Reach out privately to the friend being targeted to offer support ✓
• C. Screenshot the comments and share them with the whole group chat
• D. Ignore it because it's not your problem

Why: Reaching out privately to the person being targeted shows support and helps them feel less isolated, without escalating the situation or exposing them further.

• A. Liking a hurtful post so the bully feels popular
• B. Reporting harmful content to the platform or a trusted adult ✓
• C. Forwarding a rumor to a few close friends
• D. Adding a joke comment to lighten the mood

Why: Reporting harmful content to the platform or a trusted adult is a direct, constructive action that can stop the bullying and get the right people involved.

• A. Keep the secret completely, since they asked you to
• B. Post about it publicly to shame the harasser
• C. Encourage them to talk to a trusted adult, and offer to support them in doing so ✓
• D. Confront the harasser in the comments yourself

Why: Cyberbullying can escalate and affect safety, so involving a trusted adult is important. Supporting your friend while encouraging them to get help balances their trust with their wellbeing.

• A. It always makes the bully stop immediately
• B. It can escalate the conflict and sometimes draw more attention or retaliation toward the target ✓
• C. Platforms do not allow any replies to bullying posts
• D. It is illegal to reply to any negative comment

Why: Public confrontation often escalates conflict, can turn the audience against the target, and may invite more harassment. Safer options like private support and reporting are usually more effective.

• A. Sharing the content in a large group chat to get attention
• B. Taking screenshots and saving the links, then reporting them to a trusted adult or platform ✓
• C. Deleting the messages so nobody else sees them
• D. Replying to each message to prove you have seen them

Why: Saving screenshots and links creates evidence for reports and investigations, while reporting through proper channels avoids spreading the harmful content to a wider audience.

• A. Sharing your full birthdate and home address on public profiles
• B. Using privacy settings to limit who can see your posts and personal details ✓
• C. Accepting friend requests from anyone who has mutual friends with you
• D. Posting your location in real time whenever you visit a new place

Why: Privacy settings let you control who can view your content and information, reducing the chance that strangers or bullies can misuse it.

• A. Repost the photo with a joke caption to show you are not bothered
• B. Reply with an insulting comment about the classmate
• C. Report the post to the platform and tell a trusted adult ✓
• D. Ignore it and hope nobody else sees it

Why: Reporting to the platform and telling a trusted adult gets the content reviewed and gives you support, while reposting or retaliating can escalate the situation.

• A. password123
• B. yourpetsname
• C. Lw7#qRp2!vTn ✓
• D. birthday2008

Why: A long, random mix of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols is hard to guess, while names, dates, and common words are easy for attackers to crack.

• A. Keep the secret, since it shows the person trusts you
• B. Stop responding, save the messages, and tell a trusted adult ✓
• C. Send them a photo to prove you are real
• D. Agree to meet them in person if they promise to be kind

Why: Requests for secrecy are a common warning sign of grooming or manipulation. Saving evidence and telling a trusted adult helps keep you safe.

• A. Whether it will get the most likes
• B. Whether the person would be hurt or embarrassed by it, and whether they agreed to it ✓
• C. Whether it is funny to people who already dislike that person
• D. Whether you can share it before anyone else does

Why: Thinking about how the other person would feel and whether they consented helps prevent harm, since shared content can spread quickly and be hard to take back.