EN.MUHAMMADIYAH.OR.ID, YOGYAKARTA — Cyberbullying takes many forms in the digital world. It can involve abusive comments, the spread of false information, social exclusion on media platforms, or the unauthorized disclosure of personal data.
Niki Alma Febriana Fauzi, a member of the Central Board of Muhammadiyah’s Council for Religious Opinion and Reform, discussed the issue during a Tarjih Sermon on Wednesday (30/9). he described cyberbullying as a form of harassment carried out through digital technology.
Citing UNICEF, Niki explained that cyberbullying involves using digital technology to bully others. It can take place on social media, messaging platforms, online games, and mobile phones.
A defining feature of cyberbullying, he said, is repeated behavior intended to frighten, anger, or humiliate someone.
“Cyberbullying is repeated behavior. It is not something that happens just once or twice. It involves deliberate actions designed to undermine another person’s character,” he explained.
Different Forms of Digital Bullying
Niki identified several forms of cyberbullying, including exclusion. In digital spaces, exclusion can involve unfriending or unfollowing someone, removing them from a group chat, or deleting their contact information.
He noted that people naturally seek acceptance and a sense of belonging. Being excluded can therefore create emotional distress by making someone feel that their presence does not matter.
“When someone is excluded, they may feel that their existence is not acknowledged,” he said.
Another form is flaming, which involves aggressive public exchanges online, including insults, provocation, and abusive language that can spark conflict. There is also denigration, the spread of false information, slander, rumors, or damaging claims intended to ruin someone’s reputation.
Niki also discussed harassment and cyberstalking. Harassment involves repeatedly sending offensive, disturbing, or threatening messages through digital platforms. Cyberstalking, meanwhile, involves persistently monitoring or spying on someone using digital technology.
One practice associated with cyberstalking is doxing: searching for, revealing, or sharing someone’s private information in public without their permission.
“Doxing means searching for, revealing, or sharing personal information in public without the owner’s permission or consent,” he said.
Other forms include impersonation, in which someone pretends to be another person online through a fake or hacked account to damage their reputation, humiliate them, or set them up. Outing and trickery involves exposing someone’s private information, secrets, or personal photos to embarrass them.
AI Creates New Risks
Advances in artificial intelligence have also introduced new forms of digital abuse. Niki highlighted the use of AI to create images or videos involving sexual harassment or consent intended to humiliate someone.
“Digital technology is advancing very rapidly. People can now create images and videos using AI,” he said.
According to Niki, the motives behind cyberbullying vary. He cited research identifying several possible reasons, including the desire to maintain social status or dominance, seek revenge, relieve boredom, or gain a sense of power.
Anonymity on social media can also embolden perpetrators. People may feel freer to post abusive comments or attack others through accounts that conceal their real identities.
The effects on victims can be serious. Cyberbullying may lead to stress, sleep disturbances, anxiety, depression, loss of self-confidence, and social withdrawal. In severe cases, the resulting distress may be associated with suicidal thoughts.
Niki stressed that cyberbullying must be treated as a serious issue. As technology continues to advance, people must also become more aware of their responsibility to protect others; dignity and safety when interacting online.
