Dealing with Online Harassment

Faculty Resource

Dealing with Online Harassment

Cyberbullying typed in a search box
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In today's digital landscape, your scholarly work and professional presence can sometimes attract unwanted attention — from fleeting but intense trolling and doxxing, to more sustained forms of cyberbullying and even the misuse of your research. Though these incidents can feel alarming and disruptive, know that you are not alone. Typically short-lived, these digital assaults may challenge you, your department, and your students — but with the right strategies and a supportive community, you can navigate these challenges, protect your professional reputation, and continue to make a lasting impact in your field. This Faculty Resource provides you with the tools to navigate these challenging situations.

What are trolling and doxxing? 

  • Trolling – posting online personal attacks, often anonymously
  • Doxxing – sharing someone’s personal details (e.g., phone number, home address) without permission
  • Cyberbullying – the use of electronic devices to harass or threaten others, including harmful, false, or mean content about another person

What to do if you’re targeted. 

  1. Asses the threat. If you or your family are in imminent danger, call 911. If you receive threats that you feel are serious but not imminent, contact UNL Police at 402-472-2222.  UNL Police coordinates closely with the UNL threat assessment team to monitor these incidents and provide you with guidance and support. Harassment can be reported through UNL Report, which will be routed to appropriate departments within 24 hours. Alternatively, you can file a report directly with Institutional Equity and Compliance.
  2. Contact your Department Executive Officer. Your DEO will alert the dean and the communications leader within your college, as well as anyone else who needs to be aware of the situation.  
  3. Document the incident(s). Save emails, take screenshots, note the date, time and other important details of phone calls and text messages. Consider having someone you trust like a friend or colleague help you review messages and document occurrences.

Additional strategies you can take.

  • Assess the source of the situation. Are there many individuals with knowledge of my field of expertise who hold extreme views of my research or it is just a few people with little to no knowledge of my field? Are they claiming to represent the wider public? Do they represent policy makers, funders, or other important stakeholders? Do they have significant influence over any of the above? How many people out there support what I am doing?
  • Consider ignoring the harassment. This is often the best strategy. Some harassment can be short-lived and resolve itself quickly when you don't respond.
  • Reach out for media support. If you are contacted by the press, you do not need to respond. If you decide to talk to the media, contact the Public Affairs Director in University Communications, who can help prepare you to present yourself and your research is the best possible light.
  • Secure your public presence. Update your social media passwords, check your privacy settings, and turn on two-factor authentication whenever possible. Once you have documented an incident, report it and the account to the platform. Many social media sites will allow you to block or mute accounts to prevent posts and comments from displaying in your feed. If you are receiving text messages or calls, most devices will allow you to block a phone number (Apple | Google). Contact the Public Affairs Director in University Communications if you need to have your contact information temporarily removed from UNL websites. 
  • Secure your classroom. If the harassment is coming from a student in your class, you have the right to prohibit video and audio recording in your classroom. If a student is being disruptive, you have the right to ask them to leave. Contact UNL Police at 402-472-2222 for assistance. If you are not comfortable continuing in the classroom, speak with your DEO or Dean’s Office about strategies for preventing and mitigating further disruptions in class.
  • Respond only if absolutely necessary. If someone is spreading misinformation about you or your research, you may want to set the record straight. Focus on the positive message that you want your research to tell. Stick to the facts and consider your audience; are you speaking to other colleagues in your field, the broader research community, or the general public? The communications leader within your college and Public Affairs Director in University Communications can assist you with your response. If you are feeling angry, frustrated, or upset, consider writing an initial response just for you to work through your emotions; you can always choose to delete the file afterward. 
  • Seek professional emotional support. UNL's Employee Assistance Program offers short term counseling and referrals for university employees and their immediate family members at no charge. 

While the digital landscape presents unique challenges, these strategies empower you to effectively counter online harassment and safeguard your professional identity. By assessing each situation carefully, using available tools, and leaning on institutional and peer support, you can address online hostility with confidence. Remember, your expertise and contributions are valued, and you are not alone in this journey. With the strategies provided in this resource, you can maintain a secure online presence while continuing to inspire and educate your community.

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