Q5 Cyberbullying: Vocabulary

KEY VOCABULARY

Aggressor: An aggressor is a person who initiates hurtful behavior (the bully). They use digital tools to harm others.

Anonymity: Anonymity is the state of being unknown or nameless. Online, this often acts as a "mask" that makes people feel brave enough to be mean.

Bystander: A bystander is someone who sees something happening,  like bullying, but chooses to stay silent and do nothing.

Conflict: Conflict is a disagreement, argument, or competition. Both sides have equal power. It feels tense, but it is not bullying.

Cyberbullying: Cyberbullying is repeated, intentional, aggressive behavior using digital devices, often involving an imbalance of power.

Delay: A delay is putting something off for a later time.  When it is too risky to act in the moment, you can wait until the situation cools down, then check in on the target privately to offer support. 

Delegate: To delegate is to ask an adult, moderator, or authority figure to handle something for you.  This is especially helpful when there is cyberbullying danger or threats.

Direct: Direct means to step in immediately and manage the situation.  To tell the aggressor to stop or call out the behavior, if it feels safe to do so.

Distract: Distract means to change the subject or create a diversion.  This can take attention away from a cyberbullying target.

Doxxing: Doxxing refers to publishing someone's private personal information (like home address) online as a form of harassment.

Instigator: An instigator is a person who starts conflict or drama (often secretly) but steps back to let others fight.

Mean Moment: A mean moment is an intentional insult or hurtful comment that happens only once. It is rude, impulsive, or emotional, but not repeated harassment.

Reinforcer: A reinforcer is someone who encourages an aggressor by laughing, liking, sharing, or cheering on the bad behavior.

Reporting: Reporting means to tell an adult to get someone out of danger or harm.

S.B.R.T.: S.B.R.T. is an acronym for the protocol that can be used by someone who is experiencing cyberbullying (Stop, Block, Record, Tell).

Snitching (Tattling): Snitching means to report a minor rule break to get someone in trouble.

Statistic: A statistic is a fact or piece of data from a study of a large quantity of numerical data.

Target: A target is a person receiving the aggression or harm (the "victim").

Teasing: Teasing is friendly joking between friends or equals. Everyone is laughing or smiling. No harm is intended.

Upstander: An upstander is someone who sees the bullying and takes action to help the target or stop the aggressor.

Visual Metaphor: A visual metaphor refers to using an image (like a health bar) to represent an abstract idea or data (like mental health impact).