Harassment or intimidation is a personalised form of anti-social behaviour, aimed at specific individuals. Perpetrators and victims would, until recently (i.e. the dawn of widespread internet access), have tended to live in the same community. However, with the increased use of, and access to, social media, perpetrators can now target victims who do not live nearby. Harassment and intimidation can involve some form of criminal activity by perpetrators against their victims. It can range from verbal or racist abuse (including online) to physical abuse and attacks on property.

Platforms and Services that provide the ability for users to make public posts and invite comment are at risk of allowing intimidation to occur on their platform.