Now that we've defined cyberbullying, let's delve deeper into its broad spectrum. According to the Social Media Victims Law Center PLLC, here are some of the most common forms of cyberbullying that many people may be familiar with:

Exclusion: This occurs when an individual is intentionally left out or isolated from an online group or conversation thread.

Harassment: An aggressor persistently sends their victim a series of hurtful or threatening messages.

Cyberstalking: This form of cyberbullying involves closely monitoring the victim's online activities. In some cases, it can escalate to the real world, posing serious threats to the victim and potentially their loved ones.

Doxxing: The bully shares personal or intimate information about the victim that would not typically be public knowledge, using it to harass or intimidate the victim.

Trolling: While not all trolling is categorized as cyberbullying, cyber bullies may engage in trolling by posting derogatory comments about their targets online, to cause harm.

 As a side note, it's important to highlight that trolling appears to be the most prevalent type of cyberbullying in our country. This is why you may have noticed the blurred line between cyberbullying and online banter. It has become so pervasive that Filipinos have become accustomed to it, inadvertently normalizing this behavior. Going back, 

Impersonation: A cyberbully has the capability to assume the identity of a victim by posting comments on social media and chat rooms using the victim's name. This deceptive action can lead to the victim facing negative repercussions from others, all stemming from the online comments made by the cyberbully.

Catfishing: A cyberbully, attempting to catfish a victim, fabricates a fictitious online persona, adopting a false identity in order to deceive the victim. Under this fake persona, the bully engages with the victim, often cultivating a virtual romance. The cyberbully exploits acquired information to humiliate the victim, tarnish their reputation, or even expose their vulnerabilities.

It's quite a lot to take in, isn't it? Unfortunately, what I've covered barely scratches the surface, and there are numerous other forms of cyberbullying that I haven't even touched upon. This underscores the critical importance of being vigilant and promoting safe online environments. We mustn’t exploit the internet to do our selfish bidding and hide behind a screen. Many individuals become targets of cyberbullying, and regrettably, they often don't receive the necessary support and assistance they deserve. 

Will we wait until the worst-case scenario unfolds before we take action? How many more individuals must endure suffering before we commit to the effort of eradicating these appalling acts? The tools and resources required to make a  meaningful difference are at our disposal, and readily available. It's our responsibility not to misuse these resources, further exacerbating the pain and vulnerability of others. Let us, instead, be conscientious internet users and promoters of mental health awareness, advocating for justice on behalf of those who have fallen victim to such acts.