When Does Online Behaviour Become a Concern?

Most of us communicate online every day through:

  • Email
  • Microsoft Teams
  • WhatsApp and group chats
  • Social media platforms
  • Online learning environments
  • Discussion forums
  • Text messaging
  • Video calls

Most online interactions are positive and respectful. However, behaviour that may seem harmless to one person can have a significant impact on another.

Sometimes behaviour that begins as poor netiquette or a disagreement can develop into bullying, harassment, stalking or abuse.

Understanding where that line exists can help create a safer and more respectful University community.

Poor Netiquette vs Misconduct

Not every disagreement or poorly worded message amounts to misconduct.

Examples of poor netiquette might include:

  • Sending abrupt emails
  • Forgetting professional boundaries
  • Interrupting others during online meetings
  • Overusing capital letters
  • Repeatedly messaging someone unnecessarily
  • Posting insensitive comments without considering impact

These behaviours may be frustrating or inconsiderate, but they do not necessarily amount to bullying or harassment.

However, when behaviour becomes targeted, persistent, intimidating, discriminatory or abusive, it may cross into misconduct.

What is Cyberbullying?

Cyberbullying is the use of digital technology to deliberately upset, intimidate, humiliate, exclude or target another person.

Cyberbullying may include:

  • Repeated unwanted messages
  • Offensive comments
  • Public humiliation
  • Spreading rumours
  • Deliberately excluding someone from online groups
  • Mocking or ridiculing someone online
  • Creating hostile online environments
  • Sharing embarrassing content about another person

Cyberbullying can have a significant impact on mental health, confidence, wellbeing and a person's ability to study or work effectively.

What is Online Harassment?

Harassment occurs when unwanted behaviour violates someone's dignity or creates an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating or offensive environment.

Online harassment can occur through:

  • Email
  • Social media
  • Messaging applications
  • Online forums
  • Group chats
  • Video calls
  • Learning platforms

Examples include:

  • Repeated offensive comments
  • Targeting an individual online
  • Sending abusive messages
  • Sharing offensive content
  • Persistent unwanted contact
  • Deliberate attempts to embarrass or humiliate someone

Harassment may occur as a one-off incident or through a pattern of behaviour.

Online harassment may be particularly serious where it relates to a person's:

  • Race or ethnicity
  • Religion or belief
  • Disability
  • Sex
  • Sexual orientation
  • Gender reassignment
  • Age
  • Pregnancy or maternity
  • Marriage or civil partnership

Examples may include:

  • Racist comments or messages
  • Homophobic abuse
  • Sexist remarks
  • Ableist language
  • Religious hostility
  • Transphobic comments

Such behaviour may breach University policies and may also amount to unlawful harassment under the Equality Act 2010.

What is Online Stalking?

Stalking involves repeated, unwanted and intrusive behaviour directed at another person.

Online stalking may include:

  • Constantly monitoring someone's social media
  • Repeated unwanted messaging
  • Tracking online activity
  • Creating multiple accounts to contact someone
  • Sending gifts or messages after being asked to stop
  • Monitoring locations through digital platforms
  • Contacting friends, family or colleagues about the person

Even where individual actions appear minor, the overall pattern of behaviour can be frightening and distressing.

Sexual Misconduct Online

Sexual misconduct can also occur online.

Examples include:

  • Sending unwanted sexual messages
  • Sharing sexual images without consent
  • Pressuring someone to send intimate images
  • Making repeated sexual comments
  • Sending sexually explicit content without consent
  • Recording or sharing intimate images
  • Online sexual harassment

Digital behaviour can have the same impact as conduct occurring in person and should be taken seriously.

The Impact of Digital Misconduct

People often underestimate the impact of online behaviour.

Digital misconduct can affect:

  • Mental health and wellbeing
  • Confidence and self-esteem
  • Academic engagement
  • Attendance
  • Work performance
  • Professional relationships
  • Sense of safety
  • Social connections

Because digital communication can occur at any time, some individuals may feel there is no escape from the behaviour.

Freedom of Expression and Respectful Debate

The University supports lawful freedom of expression and academic freedom.

People are entitled to:

  • Hold different opinions
  • Express lawful views
  • Challenge ideas
  • Participate in debate

However, freedom of expression does not include:

  • Harassment
  • Bullying
  • Threats
  • Discrimination
  • Stalking
  • Abuse

The right to express an opinion does not remove the responsibility to do so respectfully and lawfully.

What Should I Do If This Is Happening to Me?

If you are experiencing online bullying, harassment, stalking or other concerning behaviour:

Consider:

  • Keeping copies of messages, emails or screenshots
  • Recording dates and times of incidents
  • Avoiding engagement if behaviour is escalating
  • Blocking individuals where appropriate
  • Seeking support

You do not need to deal with concerns alone.

What If I Witness It Happening to Someone Else?

Bystanders can play an important role in creating safer online communities.

You can:

  • Check in with the person affected
  • Challenge inappropriate behaviour safely where appropriate
  • Report concerns
  • Encourage someone to seek support
  • Share information about available support services

You do not need to be directly affected to raise a concern.

Support and Reporting

If you experience, witness or become aware of:

  • Online bullying
  • Harassment
  • Stalking
  • Sexual misconduct
  • Hate incidents
  • Discrimination
  • Threatening behaviour

support and reporting options are available through the University's Report and Support platform.

Reports can be made anonymously or with contact details if you would like advice, support or action to be considered.

Key Message

Online spaces are part of our University community.

The same standards of respect, dignity and professionalism that apply in classrooms, workplaces and social spaces also apply online.

If behaviour would be unacceptable face-to-face, it is unlikely to become acceptable simply because it happens through a screen.

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There are three ways you can tell us what happened

Anonymously or With Contact Details or Support to Study Referral