Navigating Cyber Harassment Laws: How Criminal Laws Address Online Harassment, Cyberbullying, Doxing, & Online Threats

The digital world has amplified our connections and given rise to new forms of harassment.

Understanding the Digital Threat Landscape

From cyberbullying in schoolyards to doxing of private individuals, understanding the legal protections is paramount. In this comprehensive guide, we navigate the murky waters of cyber harassment and online threats, shedding light on what the law says and how to protect yourself.

Decoding Cyber Harassment

Cyber harassment can encompass a range of online behaviors, but the intent to harm or intimidate remains consistent. Cyber harassment is using electronic communication methods, such as the internet, mobile phones, and social media platforms, to repeatedly harass, threaten, or intimidate an individual or group.

This form of harassment encompasses a variety of behaviors, including:

• Sending unsolicited, threatening, or derogatory messages or emails.
• Stalking or tracking someone’s online activities persistently.
• Publishing false or damaging information about someone to harm their reputation.
• Creating fake profiles to mock, defame, or impersonate an individual.
• Engaging in continuous and unsolicited online contact despite being told to stop.

Cyber harassment can lead to significant psychological trauma for the victim, including feelings of vulnerability, anxiety, depression, and fear. Given the anonymous nature of many online platforms, cyber harassers often feel emboldened to carry out their acts without fearing consequences. However, many jurisdictions are updating their laws to address cyber harassment explicitly and provide legal recourse for victims.

• Definition: Persistent online targeting of an individual causing distress or fear.
• Prevalence: According to a Pew Research study, 41% of Americans have experienced online harassment. [1]
• Legal Penalties: Vary by jurisdiction but include jail time, fines, and restraining orders.

The Scourge of Cyberbullying

Cyberbullying is not just a youth issue—its effects can be long-lasting and deeply traumatic. Cyberbullying refers to using digital communication tools, such as the internet, social media, email, text messages, and other online platforms, to deliberately harass, threaten, embarrass, or target another individual or group, typically over an extended period.

It’s a digital-age progression of traditional bullying, and its effects can be equally, if not more, devastating due to the potential for widespread and rapid dissemination of harmful content.

Features of cyberbullying include:

• Sending threatening or malicious messages or emails.
• Spreading rumors or lies about someone online.
• Posting hurtful or threatening comments on social media platforms.
• Sharing unflattering, manipulated, or explicit images of someone without consent.
• Creating fake profiles or websites to mock, defame, or impersonate the victim.
• Excluding someone from online groups or games.

The anonymity of the internet can encourage perpetrators, making them feel detached from the consequences of their actions. Victims often feel trapped, as bullying can occur at any time or place with internet access. Cyberbullying can lead to significant emotional, psychological, and even physical distress, with some victims experiencing depression, anxiety, and, in extreme cases, considering or committing self-harm or suicide.

Due to the seriousness of its impact, many schools, organizations, and legal systems are implementing measures to prevent and address cyberbullying.

• Definition: Online actions aimed at belittling, threatening, or harming another, especially among peers.
• Prevalence: Data from StopBullying.gov suggests that 20% of students aged 12-18 experience cyberbullying. [2]
• Legal Repercussions: This can result in school disciplinary actions and in severe cases, criminal charges.

Doxing: Invasion of Online Privacy

Doxing can lead to severe real-world consequences, turning a person’s life upside down overnight.

Doxing (or “doxing”), derived from “documents” or “docx,” refers to the practice of researching and publicly revealing private or identifying information about an individual without their consent, typically with malicious intent.

This information includes real names, home addresses, phone numbers, email addresses, workplace information, family members’ details, and other personal data. 

The primary goal of doxing is often to intimidate, harass, or bring unwanted attention to the targeted individual.

Given the accessibility of personal data on the internet through social media platforms, public databases, and other sources, doxing has become a significant concern in online safety.

The consequences for victims can be severe, ranging from personal and professional embarrassment to genuine threats to their safety.

As a result, many jurisdictions are implementing or strengthening laws against doxing to protect individuals’ privacy and safety.

• Definition: Publishing private information about someone without their consent, often with malicious intent.
• Prevalence: An alarming 8% of internet users have experienced doxing, as highlighted by Cyberbullying Research Center statistics. [3]
• Legal Consequences: Classified as a crime in many jurisdictions with heavy penalties to deter culprits.

Addressing Other Online Threats

Indeed, the digital age has brought about a variety of online threats, expanding beyond just cyberbullying and doing. Online threats have real-world implications, bridging the gap between the virtual and the physical.

Here are some additional categories of online threats:

1. Phishing: This involves sending deceptive emails or messages that appear to be from legitimate sources to trick individuals into providing sensitive data, like passwords or credit card numbers.

2. Identity Theft: Acquiring and using someone’s personal information illegally to obtain money or credit.

3. Online Stalking: Repeatedly sending threats or unwanted messages and monitoring online activity without consent.

4. Online Sexual Harassment: Unwanted sexual advances, comments, or distribution of explicit images without consent.

5. Trolling: Deliberately posting controversial or offensive comments online to provoke or upset others.

6. Swatting: A malicious prank where someone falsely reports serious illegal activity to send law enforcement to another person’s address.

7. Social Engineering: Manipulating people into giving up confidential information or performing specific actions.

These are just a few of the many threats that exist in the online realm. With technology’s rapid evolution, new threats emerge, but concurrently, cybersecurity solutions and protective measures are continuously being developed to address these challenges.

• Definition: Any intent to cause harm via digital means, such as threats of violence, blackmail, or stalking.
• Prevalence: A 2019 report showed that 15% of adults had been threatened with physical harm online. [4]
• Legal stance: Making threats, even online, can lead to criminal charges, often categorized as assault or terroristic threats.

Protecting Your Digital Footprint

Cyber threats can be daunting, but knowledge is power. Understand the laws, recognize the signs, and take action when you or a loved one faces online harassment.

If you believe you’re a victim or need legal advice on cyber harassment matters, don’t navigate this complex landscape alone.

1. Pew Research Center on Online Harassment

2. StopBullying.gov Cyberbullying Statistics

3. Cyberbullying Research Center on Doxing

4. Internet Crime Complaint Center 2019 Report

Contact The Law Offices Of Steven Gacovino Now

Schedule a consultation with Ramon Cabrera today at Ramon@gaclawyer.com, and let him fight for you and protect your rights. Call (631) 609-4500 or fill out the contact form.