DezB, I suppose it rather depends upon the individual. Possibly, someone who is fragile could take offence to being apparently attacked, or perceive it to be an attack due to their state of mind, when the perpetrator was just trying to be funny on a forum.
If somebody felt the need to bully anyone, in any environment…because they’re different or whatever…this is not the place, nor is any other any better.
Could a forum be used/abused in this way? Probably, as always..
It depends