Digital harassment: Online threats to counselor, educator, client, and student well-being

Digital threats have become increasingly commonplace in our society. The increasing growth of these threats also means an increase in the potential harm and impact on the well-being of counselors, supervisors, clients, educators, and students. While most counselors are likely aware of cyberbullying and similar behaviors intended to threaten or intimidate, over the past decade, the avenues of cyberbullying have expanded to include potentially harmful activities, such as doxing, swatting, and catfishing. Similar cyber-threats are identity theft, phishing, hacking, and spamming. All digital threats are concerning, but these newer types of digital harassment have the potential to impact anyone at any location, including both personal and professional settings. Some of these newer types of cyber harassment have even resulted in fatal consequences. The presenters’ aims are to assist counselors in identifying emerging digital threats, recognize the impact of these threats on well-being, and discern viable prevention and intervention strategies.