What is the term for a specific form of cyber bullying that involves falsely reporting a serious situation?

The term for a specific form of cyberbullying that involves falsely reporting a serious situation is known as swatting. This dangerous act typically involves someone making a phone call to law enforcement, falsely claiming that a serious incident, such as a hostage situation or bomb threat, is occurring at a particular location. The goal is often to elicit a heavy police response, which can put innocent people in harm's way and divert emergency services from genuine incidents. Swatting is particularly malicious because it exploits the resources of law enforcement and can create panic and fear in the targeted area.

In contrast, the other choices represent different aspects of cyber-related misconduct. Phishing involves tricking individuals into providing personal information online, doxxing refers to publicly revealing private information about someone without their consent, and catfishing is a deceptive practice where someone creates a fake identity online to lure others into relationships or scams. These terms address various forms of online threats and manipulation, but swatting is specifically recognized for its dangerous implications and impact on public safety.