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My Coast Guard
Commentary | Sept. 16, 2024

Why it’s time to call out cyber harassment and bullying

By AJ Pulkkinen and Kathy Murray, MyCG writers

Have you ever been attacked or harassed on social media? 

How would you feel if someone not only attacked you, but also posted a picture of your children without your permission?  

Or what if you were identified as a victim of a crime without your consent? 

Sadly, there has been a spike in incidents like these targeting Coast Guard members. Such attacks and harassing behavior are not only contrary to our Core Values, they have taken an immense toll on the mental health, relationships, productivity, and general well-being of some of our colleagues. This article provides some options available to victims of cyber harassment and bullying as well as guidance on acceptable use of social media for Coast Guard members.  

Some common examples of online misconduct include: 

  • Cyber Harassment/Bullying: Using technology to bully, harass, or intimidate another person, including: 
    • Posting graphic or nude photos of another person 
    • Using social media to spread rumors 
    • Degrading another person in an online forum 
    • Sending threatening or intimidating emails, texts, or private messages 
    • Spreading hurtful information while pretending to be another person 
  • Doxing: Releasing an individual’s personally identifiable information (PII) publicly for malicious purposes, such as public humiliation, stalking, identity theft, or targeting for harassment. 
  • Defamation: Harming someone's reputation in speech with falsehoods is known as slander. Doing the same thing in writing – including on social media – is referred to as libel. Beyond accountability in the workplace, posting malicious, defamatory content could violate state or local laws, or could form the basis of a civil suit against the poster.  

What to do if you’re targeted  

StopBullying.gov, a federal website designed to help victims of online misconduct recommends the following actions: 

  1. Protect yourself 

  • Do not respond to or forward harassing messages. 
  • Keep evidence of harassing messages. 
    • Record the dates, times, and descriptions.  
    • Save and print screenshots, emails, and text messages.  
    • Use this evidence to report cyber harassment to web and cell phone service providers and social media sites. 
  • Block the person who is harassing/bullying you. 
  • Report cyber harassment to the social media platform so they can take action against users who violate their terms of service. 
  • Report the following to CGIS or local law enforcement immediately: 
    • Threats of violence 
    • Child pornography or sending sexually explicit messages or photos 
    • Taking a photo or video of someone in a place where he or she would expect privacy 
    • Stalking  
    • Hate crimes 

  1. Know who to tell 

If you find yourself a victim of or witness to cyber harassment involving Coast Guard members or employees, the below resources and reporting options are available:  

  1. Seek additional help if needed 

If cyber harassment/bullying is negatively impacting your health, the following resources are available:  

What to consider in your own posts 

Here’s some guidance that applies to Coast Guard members using social media and other online platforms: 

  1. Use our Core Values as a guide. 

Every Coast Guard member deserves a workplace where they feel safe, valued, empowered, trusted, and connected. 

As a military member, you represent the United States on and off duty – in person and online. Before you post anything on social media (even anonymously!), ask yourself: “If I post this, am I acting with Honor, Respect, and Devotion to Duty?” A common example that has been reported is the naming or “outing” others as victims of crimes without their consent. Such actions demonstrate a lack of respect and could further harm or re-traumatize that person. 

Our Core Values should also guide our response to online misconduct. If you know a Coast Guard member who is engaging in online harassment or bullying, you should report the misconduct or take steps to stop it. If you know a Coast Guard member who is a victim of online harassment or bullying, you should help that member seek the resources listed above.  

  1. Your post might break the law. 

Online misconduct – even in private social media pages, using your personal account – could be punishable under the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ). You also may also be subject to administrative action. 

Substantiated cyber harassment or bullying violates a lawful general order established in the Coast Guard’s Harassing Behaviors Prevention, Response, and Accountability Instruction (COMDTINST 5350.6), and is therefore punishable under Article (Art.) 92 of the UCMJ.  

Depending on the case, online misconduct could violate the following articles of the UCMJ:  

  • Art. 88 – Contempt toward officials 
  • Art. 89 – Disrespect toward a superior commissioned officer 
  • Art. 91 – Insubordinate conduct toward a warrant officer or petty officer 
  • Art. 93 – Cruelty or maltreatment 
  • Art. 115 – Communicating threats 
  • Art. 117 – Provoking speech or gestures 
  • Art. 130 – Stalking 
  • Art. 133 – Conduct unbecoming an officer 

  • Art. 134 – Conduct prejudicial to good order and discipline or service discrediting. 

3. Unique characteristics of the cyber environment 

The feeling of anonymity online can tempt you to say things you wouldn’t say face to face. Don’t fall for it. Anonymous posters are often easily identified by coworkers, friends, or relatives. Remember that your actions reflect on the Coast Guard, the U.S. military, and the U.S. government at all times. We must all be mindful of the real-life negative impacts that our online activities could have on our fellow Coast Guard members and others. 

Even if you are not identified, online harassment and bullying establishes a permanent record that can spread rapidly beyond intended recipients—even if that wasn’t your original intent.  As a result, online posts targeting or outing another person can have devastating, wide-reaching impacts that can likely never be completely taken back or deleted.   

Before posting, ask yourself the following: 

  • Is this information I know from personal observation?  
  • Am I certain this information is accurate and complete?   
  • Am I providing all the necessary context to fully understand the information?  
  • If posting information or pictures about another person, has that person given me permission to post?  

If the answer to any of the above is “no,” then you probably should not post the material. 

Many posters feel justified in posting rumors or second-hand information online believing they are reporting misconduct or helping inform a larger discussion. However, the Coast Guard and CGIS do not actively monitor online forums for reports of misconduct and there is no guarantee that such posts will be acted on. Anyone who believes they have information of wrongdoing by a member of the Coast Guard or against a member of the Coast Guard should report the information to the options listed above, local law enforcement, their congressional representative, or the Office of Special Counsel (if a civilian employment issue).  

Bottom line: 

If you are witness to, or are victim of online misconduct, report it through official channels, and don’t forget that there are resources available to help. While social media and other online forums are great ways to communicate, tell personal stories, and share opinions, we must always be guided by our Core Values when communicating online. Think carefully before posting and do not post something that could cause harm to another. 

-USCG- 

Resources: 

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