What is meant by cyberbullying by proxy?

Cyberbullying by proxy refers to the practice of using third parties to carry out bullying behaviors against a victim. In this context, it involves one individual manipulating or encouraging others to harass, intimidate, or harm another person online. This could include instigating friends or acquaintances to bully someone, thereby distancing the instigator from direct responsibility for the harassment while still contributing to the victim's distress.

This concept highlights the complexities of cyberbullying, where the primary aggressor does not always engage directly with the victim but still plays a significant role in orchestrating the bullying through others. Understanding this can help in identifying and addressing various forms of harassment that may not be as overt as direct confrontation. In contrast, the other options describe different forms of online harassment or misconduct but do not capture the essence of using third parties as a means of bullying.