Digital Media 101: Digital Media Law and Ethics - Online Harassment and Cyberstalking

What It Is

Online harassment and cyberstalking refer to the intentional and repeated use of digital technologies to threaten, intimidate, or harass individuals, often through social media, online forums, or messaging platforms. A canonical example is the case of Amanda Todd, a Canadian teenager who was cyberbullied and harassed online, leading to her tragic death in 2012. This case highlights the need for online platforms to implement effective measures to prevent and address online harassment, and for users to be aware of their digital footprint and online safety.

Key Terms & Concepts

• Online Harassment: The intentional and repeated use of digital technologies to threaten, intimidate, or harass individuals online.
• Cyberstalking: A form of online harassment that involves monitoring or tracking an individual's online activities without their consent.
• Digital Footprint: The online presence and activities of an individual, which can be used to identify and track them.
• Platform Design: The intentional and unintentional features of online platforms that can facilitate or prevent online harassment.
• Algorithmic Amplification: The process by which online platforms' algorithms amplify and prioritize certain types of content, including hate speech and harassment.
• Echo Chamber: A situation in which an individual is only exposed to information that confirms their existing beliefs, often through online platforms' algorithms.
• Filter Bubble: A situation in which an individual is isolated from information that contradicts their existing beliefs, often through online platforms' algorithms.
• Personalization: The process by which online platforms tailor their content and recommendations to an individual's interests and preferences.
• Customization: The process by which an individual modifies online platforms to suit their needs and preferences.
• Native Advertising: A type of online advertising that is designed to blend in with the surrounding content.
• Sponsored Content: A type of online content that is paid for by a brand or organization.
• Right to be Forgotten: A concept that allows individuals to request that online platforms remove certain types of content from their digital footprint.
• GDPR: The General Data Protection Regulation, a European Union law that regulates the collection and use of personal data online.
• Section 230: A US law that provides online platforms with immunity from liability for user-generated content.

Common Misunderstandings

• Misunderstanding: Online harassment only occurs in online gaming communities.
• Correction: Online harassment can occur in any online space, including social media, online forums, and messaging platforms.
• Misunderstanding: Cyberstalking is only a crime if it involves physical threats.
• Correction: Cyberstalking can involve any type of online activity that is intended to harass or intimidate an individual, including sending unwanted messages or tracking their online activities.
• Misunderstanding: Online platforms are not responsible for preventing online harassment.
• Correction: Online platforms have a responsibility to prevent and address online harassment, and can be held liable for failing to do so.

Quick Application / Identification

Scenario: A social media platform's algorithm is prioritizing content from a particular user, making it more visible to other users. What is this an example of?

Answer: Algorithmic Amplification. This is a process by which online platforms' algorithms amplify and prioritize certain types of content, including hate speech and harassment.

Last?Minute Revision

• Online harassment is a form of cyberbullying.
• The Right to be Forgotten allows individuals to request that online platforms remove certain types of content from their digital footprint.
• Section 230 provides online platforms with immunity from liability for user-generated content.
• Online platforms can be held liable for negligent design if they fail to prevent online harassment.
• GDPR regulates the collection and use of personal data online.
• Algorithmic bias can perpetuate online harassment by prioritizing certain types of content.
• Echo chambers can be created through online platforms' algorithms.
• Filter bubbles can be created through online platforms' algorithms.
• Personalization can be used to tailor online content to an individual's interests and preferences.
• Customization allows individuals to modify online platforms to suit their needs and preferences.
• Native advertising is a type of online advertising that is designed to blend in with the surrounding content.
• Sponsored content is a type of online content that is paid for by a brand or organization.
• Cyberstalking is a form of online harassment that involves monitoring or tracking an individual's online activities without their consent.