How is cyber harassment primarily conducted?

Cyber harassment is primarily conducted through methods that utilize digital communication channels, making the choice of using email and instant messaging particularly relevant. These platforms allow individuals to send harassing messages quickly and anonymously, which can create an environment where the victim may feel threatened or vulnerable.

Email and instant messaging provide a level of detachment for the perpetrator, allowing them to communicate harmful content without the direct consequences that come from face-to-face interactions. This mode of communication also enables the harasser to maintain a continuous line of harassment, as messages can be sent at any time, making it more difficult for the victim to escape the situation.

Other methods, while they can also be forms of harassment, do not capture the essence of how cyber harassment specifically operates. For example, telephone calls and face-to-face meetings are more traditional forms of harassment that lack the persistent and often anonymous aspect found in digital communications. Social media posts can also be significant, but they typically involve public platforms where the audience can see the interactions, whereas direct messages via email and instant messaging are more private and direct, leading to a more personalized form of harassment.