What Is Cyber Harassment

What is cyber harassment? It is harassing conduct carried out through digital channels rather than in person. Messaging apps, email, internal platforms, social media and personal devices.

The forms are broader than most workplace policies describe.

• Repeated unwanted messages, including after being asked to stop.
• Abusive or demeaning content in a group chat.
• Posting or sharing material about a colleague without consent.
• Impersonation, or creating accounts in someone else’s name.
• Monitoring or tracking a colleague’s activity or location.
• Excluding someone from work channels as a deliberate pattern.

Two features distinguish it from in-person conduct. It follows people home, so there is no point in the day where it stops. And it leaves a record, which makes it easier to evidence than almost any other form.

The Australian Human Rights Commission covers workplace harassment duties. This is general information rather than legal advice, and obligations vary by state and territory.

See Sentrient’s internet and social media course and workplace bullying course.