Cyberbullying & harassment
Repeated online abuse, threats, or humiliation aimed at a person.
What it is
Cyberbullying and online harassment are repeated, deliberate attempts to threaten, humiliate, or intimidate someone through messages, posts, or images. It can happen on social media, in games, group chats, or by message, and — unlike offline bullying — it can follow a person home and reach them at any hour.
How it happens
It ranges from cruel comments and exclusion to spreading rumours, sharing private images, impersonation, and coordinated “pile-ons.” Attackers may hide behind anonymous or fake accounts, create new ones when blocked, and use screenshots or edited images to shame or pressure the target.
Warning signs
- A child or friend becomes withdrawn, anxious, or secretive about their devices.
- Sudden reluctance to go to school, or to use a phone or account they once enjoyed.
- Deleting accounts, or receiving a stream of hostile messages and tags.
- Changes in sleep, mood, or appetite that coincide with time spent online.
Who it targets
Children and teenagers are the most affected, but adults face harassment too — especially women, LGBTQ+ people, and anyone with a public profile. People who share a lot publicly, or who become the focus of a group's anger, are at higher risk.
How to protect yourself
- Keep social accounts private and limit who can message or tag you.
- Talk early and often with children, making clear they can come to you without blame.
- Learn the block, mute, and report tools on the platforms you and your family use.
- Think before sharing images or details that could later be used against you.
- Keep evidence of abuse rather than deleting it, in case you need to report it.
If it happens to you
- Don't retaliate — save screenshots and messages as evidence first.
- Block the accounts involved and report the abuse to the platform.
- Tell someone you trust; for a child, involve a parent, carer, or school.
- If there are threats of violence or sharing of intimate images, contact the police and a specialist helpline.