Q5 Cyberbullying: Vocabulary

Key Vocabulary

Aggressor: An aggressor is the person who initiates the 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 the bullying happening 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 when it is too risky to act in the moment, you can wait until the situation cools down, then checking in on the target privately to offer support. 

Delegate: To delegate is asking an adult, moderator, or authority figure for help when there is cyberbullying danger or threats.

Direct: Direct means to step in immediately 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 to take attention away from a cyberbullying target.

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

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

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

Reinforcer: A reinforcer is someone who encourages the 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 the person receiving the aggression or harm (the "victim").

Teasing: Teasing refers to 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).