Within our world of social conscience there’s an increasing number of examples related to online harassment and bullying – cyber bullying – using platforms with the opportunity for anonymisation or pseudonyms. With the continued development of social media platforms, AI and other apps, such behaviours are becoming more sophisticated and harmful. Within schools, there is a continued increase of such behaviours; between March 2019 and March 2020, 19% of children between 10 and 15 (764,000) experienced cyber bullying [1].

The landscape is changing. Bullying is no longer mainly or only associated with young people (not that this was ever exclusive) but we are seeing more evidence within the adult demographic, perhaps driven by the same platforms, albeit a wider directory than those used by young people. The camouflage of anonymity and therefore opportunity, provides an inherently safe space for those individuals to post online comments, criticisms and messages that are designed to bully, harass and intimidate individuals. We have seen far too often the awful comments directed at individuals that I suspect would never have been said in person or directly to a person face-to-face.

The safety net of anonymity facilitates such behaviours without any fear of repercussions. However, these comments are often described as freedom of speech, opinions or banter. Ultimately, they are made with no consideration of their impact – or are they?

In certain cases, anonymity is important, for example whistle blowing or asking for feedback; often anonymity is seen as an opportunity for a safe space and used by organisations to garner thoughts and ideas, which is productive and often illuminating. However, the use of anonymity can also be abused. Some may choose to use anonymity to make general disparaging remarks, innuendos and abusive remarks, and for many of us this is not acceptable.

The right to free speech is not absolute and there are a range of public order (and other) offences to prosecute this behaviour that can apply equally in the 'real' and digital worlds. Such legislation includes Protection from Harassment Act 1997, Malicious Communications Act 1988, Defamation Act 2013 and others, designed to protect the recipient and provide legal remedy. Although, this relies on the activity to have taken place, rather than preventing it in the first place.

Recently it was reported that anonymous comments were made concerning Jeremy Vine through an anonymous source via social media, a follow up threat of legal action resulted in the individual agreeing to donate a sum of money to charity to avoid formal legal procedures. Of course, there is an argument that if the comments are anonymous then how would anyone find out?

The reality is that nothing is anonymous without considerable efforts to disguise an identity. Recipients of harassment or bullying can apply for a Norwich Pharmacal Order (NPO), a disclosure order which allows information to be obtained from third parties, helping individuals to investigate, and pursue those ultimately responsible.

But why do people feel the need to write such comments and the need to be anonymous? As a parent, and someone who has seen the impact caused by online bullying and harassment, my message has always been to not write or send anything that you wouldn’t be prepared to say to someone in person. I believe this is a good litmus test to whether the comments are appropriate. Taking the position of writing and commenting as bullying, what is it that drives and motivates people to follow such a course of action?

Research suggests power dynamics [2] are a driver for bullies using such behaviour, and in the case of workplace-bullying, I believe organisational dynamics drive abusive behaviours [3]. Whatever the theoretical drivers, I would suggest bullying is driven by feelings of inadequacy, jealousy, and lack of achievement, and so exerting power and control creates a feeling of self-importance and worth, but ultimately a lack of any moral compass and cowardice. It’s clear that those individuals have no consideration or concern of the impact on the intended victim, and that they do not have the bravery or common decency to identify with and own their beliefs.

We can all play a part in being an active bystander and challenging such language and behaviour safely.

Professor Tony Blockley, Head of School of Criminology, Investigation and Policing at Leeds Trinity University

[1] Online bullying in England and Wales – Office for National Statistics (ons.gov.uk)

[2] Keashly, L., & Neuman, J. (2012). Bullying in higher education: What current research, theorizing, and practice tell us. In J. Lester (Ed.), Workplace bullying in higher education (pp. 1–22). New York, NY: Routledge.

[3] Hoyk, R., & Hersey, P. (2008). The ethical executive: Becoming aware of the root causes of unethical behaviour. Stanford, CA: Stanford University Press.