What does cyberbullying mean?
Cyberbullying is the use of digital or online communication to harass, threaten, humiliate, or intimidate another person. It may involve repeated messages, public posts, manipulated images, exclusion, or coordinated attacks, and it is often described as bullying because the behavior targets someone through intimidation and power imbalances. The term is broadly used in education, media, law, and public policy, though specific legal definitions vary by jurisdiction. In online settings, harmful conduct can spread quickly, reach a wide audience, and remain visible after deletion, making prevention, reporting mechanisms, and platform accountability important. The expression is usually treated as an uncountable noun, while forms such as cyberbullies and cyberbullied function as a noun and a verb respectively. As a modifier, cyberbullying identifies initiatives, incidents, or policies concerned with online abuse. Its usefulness lies in naming a recognizable form of interpersonal aggression that depends on digital technology and has become increasingly embedded in everyday life.
The use of digital or online communication to harass, threaten, humiliate, exclude, or intimidate another person.
"The video was shared as evidence of cyberbullying."
Usually uncountable; distinct instances may occasionally be counted as cyberbullings.
Relating to or involving cyberbullying.
"The school introduced a cyberbullying policy and expanded student support services."
Most often encountered as an attributive modifier before words such as policy, incident, prevention, or initiative.
Cyberbullying is normally uncountable. The plural cyberbullings is uncommon but may be used when referring to separate incidents.
"The investigation counted three separate cyberbullings during the school year."
The term emerged in the 1990s, when online messages could make intimidation more public, more shareable, and more permanent.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does cyberbullying come from?
The first element of cyberbullying comes from cyber, ultimately derived from the Greek kubernētēs, meaning “steersman” or “governor.” The second element comes from bully, a longstanding English verb associated with intimidating or overawing someone. The compound term cyberbullying emerged in the 1990s as communication and community moved increasingly online.
Related word forms
How cyberbullying is actually used
Cyberbullying is normally an uncountable noun, although a plural form is occasionally used for distinct incidents. It is also used attributively, as in cyberbullying prevention, and can function as a verb: cyberbullied, cyberbullies. It is widely used in British and American English, while legal definitions vary by jurisdiction.
Easily confused with cyberbullying
Cyberbullying broadly covers online intimidation and humiliation, whereas cyberstalking specifically involves persistent surveillance, tracking, or stalking of a targeted person.
Cyberbullying usually implies bullying directed at a particular person or group, while online harassment is a broader term that can include unwanted conduct not specifically intended as bullying.