What is Online Harassment?
Online harassment is a form of stalking, bullying, or harassment using the Internet or other electronic means. This harassment comes in a variety of forms including: sending threatening emails or direct messages/instant messages, filing false claims or police reports (swatting), or posting personal information online (doxxing). Cyberstalking is a type of online harassment to stalk or harass a victim. We've compiled the below resources to help prevent and respond to online harassment.
Berkeley Resources:
- The PATH to Care Center collaborates with the campus community to make social change with the goals of preventing, intervening in, and responding to harassment and violence, eliminating oppression, and creating the culture and environment we all aspire to and deserve.
- For urgent 24/7 free and confidential support, call the Care Line at (510) 643-2005.
- For non-urgent support and questions, call the PATH to Care Center’s Main Line at (510) 642-1988.
- The Office for Prevention of Harassment and Discrimination (OPHD) oversees campus compliance with University of California and UC Berkeley policies prohibiting protected category discrimination and harassment (including sexual harassment and violence). The OPHD is available to answer questions related to reporting, response, and investigation.
- Email Ask_OPHD@berkeley.edu or call (510) 643-7985.
- Students may contact UC Berkeley Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS). Counselors are available for phone and video counseling appointments. There are also new online self-help tools. CAPS employs mental health professionals trained to provide support to individuals from a wide array of identities, including traditionally marginalized or disenfranchised groups.
- Visit the CAPS website or call (510) 642-9494 or, after-hours, (855) 817-5667.
Additional Resources:
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Consumer Reports Security Planner: CR Security Planner is a free, easy-to-use guide to staying safer online. It provides personalized recommendations and expert advice on topics including: keeping social media accounts from being hacked, locking down devices, and reducing intrusive tracking by websites.
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Heartmob Online Harassment Resources: HeartMob is a community dedicated to helping those experiencing online harassment.
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Heartmob Technical Safety Guide: This guide will walk you through the immediate steps to take to feel safe and give you information to make informed decisions.
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Heartmob Social Media Safety Guides: Social Media Safety Guides for Facebook, Twitter, Reddit, Tumblr, and Youtube - every guide gives user-friendly information on how to use each platforms' reporting and privacy tools.
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OnlineSOS Action Center: OnlineSOS empowers people facing online harassment. The Action Center provides simple, actionable information, so you can choose what to do next.
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UC Berkeley Privacy Office Advisory on How to Protect Yourself from Doxxing: Provides tips for preventing the unwanted exposure of private information online (doxxing) and for reporting incidents of doxxing to Campus officials.
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Internet Matters.Org: Resources to help combat Cyberbullying. Internet Matters is a non-profit organization with the goal of keeping kids safe online. However, these tips can be used to also help adults protect themselves against cyberbullying.
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EndTechAbuse. Org CyberAbuse Project Toolkit: EndTechAbuse.Org is a non-profit organization aimed at preventing cyber abuse, including cyber bullying, doxxing and the unwanted sharing of intimate images.
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GoodTherapy.org: Article detailing how to mitigate online harassment and trolling.