Online Harassment: What to Do & Where to Find Help

Responding to Online Harassment: Action Plan

Online harassment is pervasive and harmful. Take these steps to protect yourself.

Immediate Actions

1. Do not engage. Responding often escalates.
2. Document everything: Screenshots (with timestamps/URLs), screen recordings, message logs. Preserve metadata.
3. Block the harasser on all platforms.
4. Report to platform: Use built-in reporting tools (harassment, hate speech, threats, impersonation, doxxing).
5. Strengthen privacy: Lock accounts, remove personal info, enable 2FA, review friend/follower lists.

If Threats Escalate

• Contact law enforcement for credible threats of violence, stalking, sextortion, swatting, hate crimes. Provide documentation.
• Legal remedies: Restraining order, cease-and-desist, subpoena for platform data (attorney needed).
• Platform escalation: Trust & Safety teams, legal request portals.

Emotional Support

• Talk to trusted friends/family.
• Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741.
• 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call/text 988.
• Therapists specializing in cyber trauma (Psychology Today directory).
• Organizations: Cyber Civil Rights Initiative, Without My Consent, StopBullying.gov.

In-Person Harassment

• Prioritize physical safety: move to public area, call 911 if immediate danger.
• Document (photos, video, witnesses).
• Report to police, employer, school, venue security.

Harassment by Known Person

• Set clear boundaries in writing (text/email).
• Use gray rock method (minimal, boring responses).
• Escalate to mediation, HR, legal if persistent.
• Consider no-contact order.

You are not alone. Help exists. Document, report, protect, heal.