Cyberbullying
Understanding cyberbullying, recognising the signs, and practical steps to protect your child from online harassment and intimidation.
What is this?
Cyberbullying is repeated harmful behaviour carried out through digital devices such as phones, tablets, and computers. It can happen via text messages, social media, gaming platforms, or any online space where children interact. Unlike face-to-face bullying, it can follow a child home and continue around the clock.
How it works
Cyberbullies may send threatening messages, share embarrassing images, create fake profiles to humiliate someone, or deliberately exclude a child from group chats. Because digital content can be shared rapidly and widely, the impact can escalate quickly. Anonymity online can also embolden behaviour that a person might not display in person.
Warning signs
In your child's behaviour
- • Becoming visibly upset, withdrawn, or anxious during or after using their device
- • Reluctance to go to school or take part in activities they previously enjoyed
- • Unexplained changes in friendship groups or sudden avoidance of social situations
On their device
- • Deleting messages, apps, or browsing history frequently and secretively
- • Receiving a high volume of notifications followed by visible distress
- • Creating new or alternative social media accounts without explanation
Prevention steps
Keep communication open
Regularly talk with your child about their online friendships and experiences. Let them know they can come to you without fear of losing device access if something goes wrong.
Use platform safety features
Help your child enable blocking and reporting tools on every app and platform they use. Show them how to mute conversations and restrict who can contact them.
Agree on a family digital agreement
Set clear, shared expectations about respectful online behaviour. Include rules about not sharing others' photos without consent and what to do if they witness bullying.
What to do if it happens
- 1Listen calmly and reassure your child that it is not their fault and that you are glad they told you.
- 2Save screenshots and records of the bullying as evidence before blocking or reporting the person responsible.
- 3Report the behaviour to the platform, the school, and if threats are involved, to the police via 101 or CEOP.
Related topics
If you need to report this
In immediate danger: call 999. For non-emergency police matters, call 101.
Concerned about a child but it's not an emergency? NSPCC helpline 0808 800 5000. Childline for young people 0800 1111.
This is practical educational content to support families. For case-specific concerns about a child's safety, contact the NSPCC helpline on 0808 800 5000 or your local safeguarding team.
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Last reviewed: 2026-04-19