Bullying and mobbing are migrating to online realms, intensifying the damage involved and increasing the complexities of these issues. Social media (such as Facebook and Twitter) are intensely communal in many senses; they may serve to increase the negative aspects of bullying and mobbing as well as provide community-oriented tools for mitigation. Academic environments such as distance education also introduce intricate dimensions to these concerns, especially involving online freedom of speech and privacy issues. Younger individuals in academic realms may not be aware of the power of words and images to harm, especially in seemingly playful online contexts. Higher education institutions are legally and morally constrained in terms of student and employee privacy and free speech, which can make it difficult to protect victims and control the dissemination of often-damaging information. Many social media platforms allow for the surveillance and recording of incidents of bullying and mobbing, enabling some mitigation and disciplinary efforts. However, these capabilities also increase the responsibilities of administrators, faculty, and staff in dealing with bullying and mobbing, as well as their legal liabilities.