What Is Online / Digital Harm?
Online and digital harm is any form of harmful behaviour or content delivered through digital technologies, including the internet and mobile devices, that is intended to cause distress, harm, or loss to an individual. It encompasses a wide range of actions, from cyberbullying and harassment to stalking and the sharing of intimate images without consent.
Online and digital harm can have significant impacts on a person's wellbeing, studies, work, relationships, reputation, privacy and sense of safety, regardless of whether the behaviour occurs on or off campus.
Examples of Online / Digital Harm
- Cyberbullying, trolling or online harassment
- Threatening, abusive or intimidating messages
- Online stalking or monitoring of someone's online activity
- Doxxing (sharing someone's personal information without their consent)
- Hate speech, discriminatory abuse or targeted harassment
- Creating fake profiles or impersonating another person online
- Catfishing or deceptive online relationships
- Sharing private conversations, photos or videos without consent
- Sharing intimate images without consent (sometimes referred to as 'revenge porn')
- Threatening to share intimate images
- Creating or sharing deepfake sexual imagery
- Sending unwanted sexual messages or images
- Online coercion, blackmail or extortion
- Phishing attempts, scams and online fraud
- Identity theft or misuse of personal information
- Recording and sharing online meetings, lectures or conversations without permission
- Using artificial intelligence (AI) or digital technologies to humiliate, exploit or harm another person
- Any other misuse of technology intended to control, manipulate, intimidate, exploit or harm someone
Find Out More
See the Hallam Digital Skills Personal section of guidance on how to manage your online safety, including your online identity.
Refuge, the national domestic abuse charity, has information on help and support for online harm on their Secure Your Tec page.