What is exclusionary cyberbullying?

Definition (Silent Digital Bullying)

Exclusionary cyberbullying is the digital replication of relational or silent bullying.

It is a form of aggression that is not based on direct attack (insults, threats), but on the deliberate and systematic omission of a person from online social interactions and groups.

Its aim is the same as in the physical world: to isolate the victim, make him/her feel invisible and deny him/her a sense of belonging to the peer group. This form of bullying is subtle but deeply damaging.

It operates under the guise of "nothing is happening," since the aggressor does not "do" something visibly wrong, but "stops doing" (stops inviting, stops including).

For the aggressor, it is easy to justify ("we just don't like them", "it's a private group"), but for the victim, the rejection and isolation are entirely real.

Digital Exclusion Tactics

Exclusionary cyberbullying takes the form of several coordinated actions. The most common is the creation of parallel chat groups.

For example, the class has an official WhatsApp group, but the aggressor (or the group) creates a new one called "Class of 5th (without Ana)" or "Los Guays", where they include everyone except the victim.

In this new group, the excluded person is often mocked, plans are organized to which she will not be invited, and digital "ice law" is coordinated.

Other tactics include purposely not tagging the victim in group photos where she does appear, unfollowing her en masse on social networks (a public way of signaling rejection), ignoring her posts or messages in common groups, or repeatedly kicking her out of online video game games.

The message is constant and clear: "You don't belong here."

The Psychological Impact of Invisibility

The impact of digital exclusion is, in many ways, comparable to that of direct harassment.

Human beings have a fundamental need to belong (the "need to belong theory"), and social rejection activates the same areas of the brain as physical pain.

The victim of digital exclusion feels profound loneliness and sadness. The nature of this harassment generates enormous confusion and self-blame.

The victim is constantly asking herself, "What have I done wrong?", "Why doesn't anyone like me?".

In the absence of direct aggression, it is more difficult for her to identify that she is