Digital bullying is bullying executed via technological platforms like mobiles and the internet.

The bully makes use of things like texting, MMS, chat rooms and social communities online to get to the victim. Since the bullying doesn´t happen in traditional ways, but targets the victim directly on their mobile or computer, digital bullying is harder for others detect. It´s also more difficult for the victim to protect himself/herself. This is the reason why digital bullying is also called hidden bullying.

Roughly speaking, digital bullying happens in three different ways:

1. Direct attack, where the bullying happens trought direct contact with the victim. Examples: Sending harassing messages via e-mail, mobiles, MSN and net communities.

2. Indirect attack, where the bully uses others to reach the victim, either with or without permission from the accomplices. Examples: Spreading rumours, distribution of pictures, not including certain people on friends lists.

3. Identity theft. The bully pretends to be someone else, for example by logging onto other people´s profiles in net communities or MSN.

Examples of hidden bullying:

• Pictures of intoxicated persons in compromising or vulnarable situations.
• Private "beauty competitions" where you vote for the prettiest or the "ugliest" person.
• Rumours about others.
• Threats.
• Insulting talk about looks or sexual preferences.

Digital bullying can spread very quickly by being distributed online and via mobiles. The victim can experience this as worse than other forms of bullying because it can be difficult to know who´s behind it, where it´s spread to and who to turn to for help. Many young people find it difficult to talk with their parents about negative experiences online.

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