Which statement is LEAST true about online harassment and privacy?

Which statement is LEAST true about online harassment and privacy?

• A. There is an increasing loss of privacy occurring through online sources.
• B. Children are experiencing greater levels of online harassment.
• C. There is likely to be an increase in 'virtual workplace violence.'
• D. Virtual crimes against persons always result in physical harm.

Answer: (D)

The key idea is that online harms often cause non-physical damage, not always physical harm. The statement that virtual crimes against persons always result in physical harm is the least true because many online offenses—cyberbullying, doxxing, harassment, identity theft, or reputational damage—inflict psychological distress, fear, embarrassment, or financial or social consequences without any direct physical injury. In contrast, the other statements align with real trends: privacy is increasingly eroded through online data collection and sharing; children face higher levels of online harassment; and remote or digital work environments are contributing to more instances of virtual workplace violence. So the notion of “always” involving physical harm is overly broad and inaccurate.

The key idea is that online harms often cause non-physical damage, not always physical harm. The statement that virtual crimes against persons always result in physical harm is the least true because many online offenses—cyberbullying, doxxing, harassment, identity theft, or reputational damage—inflict psychological distress, fear, embarrassment, or financial or social consequences without any direct physical injury. In contrast, the other statements align with real trends: privacy is increasingly eroded through online data collection and sharing; children face higher levels of online harassment; and remote or digital work environments are contributing to more instances of virtual workplace violence. So the notion of “always” involving physical harm is overly broad and inaccurate.