Online harassment which can include cyberbullying, doxing, discriminatory harassment based on protected class status, and sexual harassment is antithetical to the mission and vision of Bates College. As such, these activities are prohibited under Bates policies. Bates community members experiencing online harassment may seek assistance and support from the college.

What is Cyberbullying and Doxing?

Cyberbullying is bullying that occurs through the use of digital platforms such as social media, text and other messaging apps, online forums and message boards, and email. Cyberbullies target individuals by repeatedly sending them harmful communications, posting embarrassing or personal content, spreading lies or rumors, intimidating or making threats towards them, or impersonating them. It aims to scare, anger, humiliate, shame, or damage the reputation of the target.

Doxing is a specific type of cyberbullying that involves publicly exposing a person’s private information, such as their name, address, contact information, and other personally identifying information, without their consent. It is increasingly used to attack people with opposing viewpoints on contentious issues and can involve encouraging others to join in the harassment.

How to Protect Yourself from Online Harassment

Online harassers frequently collect information from a variety of sources such as: social media accounts, publicly available databases, data brokers, phishing attempts, and hacked accounts or legitimate sources of data. Consider taking the following actions to help limit the exposure of your personal information

• Enable security settings on your social media accounts (Meta, X, TikTok, LinkedIn, etc.) and messaging boards (Reddit, etc.).
  • Avoid posting your address and other contact information.
  • Consider using separate accounts for professional and personal lives. Restrict access to posts on your personal account to only those known to you. Remember that no posts are ever completely private or anonymous.
  • Keep profiles, usernames, and passwords private.
  • Close unused accounts and request that information be deleted.
  • Pay attention to how you comment on other posts and websites. These comments are often permanently available to others.
• Request removal of personal information.
  • Take steps to remove your information from data broker sites, such as BeenVerified, White Pages, etc. There are commercial products such as DeleteMe to help you do so for a small fee.
  • Contact Google to remove your personal information.
  • Google yourself to see what personal information about you is easily available. If your personal information is on external websites, contact the owner of the site and ask them to remove it.
• Complete an audit of your own accounts.
  • Check your own website(s) and blog(s) for personal information. Consider removing contact information from publicly available cvs and resumes.
  • Check your settings, timeline activity, and other activity on Google
  • Set up a Google alert.
  • Remove geotags from photographs.
• Secure your network and login in information.
  • Whenever possible use a secure or VPN network.
  • Vary your usernames and use multiple strong passwords across your accounts.
  • Use two-factor and other authentication services whenever possible.

Steps You Can Take If You Have Been Targeted

• If you think your personal safety is at imminent risk, get to a safe place and call Campus Safety (207-786-6111) or local law enforcement.
• Document what is happening. Take time-stamped screenshots; save emails and messages; log contacts and posts.
• Report the harassment and seek support.
  • Contact the platform that you are being harassed or doxed on and ask them to remove the posts. Instructions for how to do so on popular platforms (Meta, Instagram, X, YouTube, etc.) can be found here.
  • Make a report to the college. Gwen Lexow, Associate Vice President for Title IX & Civil Rights Compliance, and other members of the Non-Discrimination Team can provide support, connect you to resources, and share steps the college may be able to take to assist in stopping the harassment. They can also discuss policies and procedures for holding individuals accountable for their online behavior. You may contact Gwen directly or make a report using EthicsPoint.
  • Consider contacting local law enforcement, particularly in cases that involve threats, criminal harassment, and/or doxing.
  • Online harassment can cause distress. The Employee Assistance Program can help connect you with mental health professionals. They can also connect you with local lawyers if you wish to discuss possible civil action.

Other Resources

PEN America: Managing Your Online Footprint and Protecting [Yourself] from Doxing

Electronic Frontier Foundation: Tips to Protect Yourself Online and How to Minimize Harm

Homeland Security: Resources for Individuals on the Threat of Doxing

DeleteMe: Is Doxxing Illegal in Maine?