Harassment: meaning, definitions and examples

Harassment is often used to describe unwanted behavior that is repeated and makes someone feel intimidated or distressed. It can occur in various settings, such as workplaces, schools, or public spaces.

• She reported her boss for harassment after he continuously made inappropriate comments.
• Online harassment has become a serious issue on social media platforms.

Bullying typically refers to repeated aggressive behavior with the intention to harm or control another person. It is often seen in schools among children and teenagers but can occur in any setting.

• The school has a zero-tolerance policy for bullying.
• He faced bullying from his peers because of his appearance.

Intimidation refers to the act of frightening or threatening someone, often to make them do something against their will. It can be physical or psychological.

• The witness was subjected to intimidation to prevent them from testifying.
• His commanding tone created an atmosphere of intimidation.

Discrimination involves treating people unfairly or unjustly based on characteristics such as race, gender, age, or religion. It frequently occurs in contexts like employment, education, and housing.

• They sued the company for racial discrimination.
• Discrimination in the workplace is illegal under federal law.

Use when referring to any form of aggressive pressure or intimidation, which can occur in any environment, including workplaces, schools, or online.

• She filed a complaint about the harassment she experienced at work.
• Harassment in the workplace is a serious issue that needs to be addressed.

Specifically refers to bullying or harassment using digital technologies such as social media, messaging platforms, gaming, or mobile phones.

• The school has launched a new initiative to combat cyberbullying among students.
• Cyberbullying can have serious effects on a person's mental health.

Encompasses various forms of harm or harassment conducted through the internet, including threats, insults, and stalking. This term has a broad and serious connotation.

• Online abuse forced him to deactivate his social media accounts.
• They are launching a campaign to raise awareness about online abuse.

Describes deliberately provocative or disruptive behavior online dedicated to upsetting or angering other users, often for amusement. This term is typically negative.

• She decided to report the internet trolling to the forum moderators.
• Internet trolling can escalate quickly and create a toxic online environment.