Stop Cyberbullying Day. Real stories, real action

Today, 60% of internet users have experienced bullying, harassment or abuse online, according to Cybersmile, the not-for-profit committed to digital wellbeing. The harm is widespread—but so is the potential for change.

To mark Stop Cyberbullying Day (20 June 2025), we asked ACS members to share how they’re promoting cyber kindness in their communities. The response was powerful—proof that even in a vast digital world, small, human actions can create meaningful change.

This article shares what we learned, what our members are doing, and how every tech professional can help make the internet a safer, more inclusive place.

Cyberbullying is evolving. And so must we

Cyberbullying has moved beyond social media and into professional spaces—collaboration tools, work networks, even coding communities. It often hides behind workplace hierarchies and unclear policies.

It can look like:

• Harassment and impersonation

• Doxing and stalking

• Exclusionary interactions and coordinated reputational attacks

As the ACS Promise of Diversity report makes clear, this isn’t just a personal issue, it’s a systemic barrier. Women, culturally diverse professionals and early-career technologists are often the most affected. Many face abuse when they speak up, leading to withdrawal from leadership roles or the industry altogether.

“Cyberbullying doesn’t always look like name-calling or public shaming. It can also take the form of manipulation, deception and betrayal. I learned that the hard way.”

—Oveena Widyaratne, Founder and Data Engineer at Typpio

Oveena’s story is a reminder that the impacts of cyberbullying run deep. After being targeted by scammers and mocked when she spoke up, Oveena channelled her experience into building Typpio, a platform using AI-powered typing biometrics to protect identity online. Her mission: a digital world where people feel safe to be themselves, without fear of judgment or exclusion.

Oveena's story