My Child Is Being Bullied Online
Your child is receiving hurtful, threatening, or humiliating messages online — through social media, messaging apps, group chats, or gaming platforms. This may include name-calling, exclusion, spreading rumours, sharing embarrassing content, or repeated harassment.
Online bullying can be deeply distressing for children and for the adults who care about them. Your child may feel ashamed, angry, or hopeless. The most important thing you can do right now is listen, believe them, and take practical steps together. Cyberbullying is not a normal part of growing up, and there are effective ways to address it.
What to do now
Listen and Validate
Give your child your full attention. Let them explain what has been happening in their own words. Acknowledge their feelings — say things like 'That sounds really hurtful' or 'I can see why that upset you'.
✗ Do not: Do not minimise with phrases like 'just ignore it' or 'it's only online'. To your child, the pain is very real.
Gather Evidence
Screenshot the bullying messages, posts, or content. Record dates, times, usernames, and the platform used. Save everything — even if it seems minor now, a pattern of behaviour is important.
Block and Report
Help your child block the person or people responsible. Report the content to the platform using their bullying or harassment reporting tools. Most platforms take reports involving minors seriously.
Inform the School
If the bullying involves classmates or other known children, contact the school's safeguarding lead or pastoral team. Schools have a duty to address bullying that affects their pupils, even if it happens outside school hours.
Create a Safety Plan Together
Discuss with your child what they would like to happen next. This might include adjusting privacy settings, taking a break from certain apps, or agreeing on a code word they can use if they need help quickly.
What not to do
- ✗Do not contact the bully or their parents directly in anger — this can escalate the situation and is better handled through school or official channels.
- ✗Do not take away your child's phone or devices as a first response — they may see this as punishment for speaking up.
- ✗Do not encourage your child to retaliate or 'give as good as they get'.
- ✗Do not post about the situation on social media — this can make things worse for your child.
Preserving evidence
Why this matters
If you need to report to authorities or a platform, evidence can help.
- •Screenshot every instance of bullying, including the profile of the person sending messages and any comments or reactions from others.
- •Keep a written log with dates, times, and descriptions of each incident — this is invaluable if you need to escalate to school or police.
- •If voice messages or video calls were involved, note what was said and when. Some devices allow screen recording.
How to talk to your child
- ✓Reassure your child that being bullied is never their fault and that telling you was brave.
- ✓Ask what they would like to happen — giving them some control over next steps can help restore their sense of agency.
- ✓Check in regularly over the coming weeks. Bullying can have a lasting emotional impact even after it stops.
Who to contact
Childline
For children who want to talk to someone confidentially about bullying
24/7, 365 days a year
NSPCC Helpline
For parents who need advice about how to handle the situation
24/7, 365 days a year
Police (101 non-emergency)
If the bullying involves threats of violence, hate speech, or criminal behaviour
24/7
Anti-Bullying Alliance
For resources, guidance, and support for families affected by bullying
Website available 24/7; office hours for direct contact
This guidance is for informational purposes. It is not a substitute for emergency services or professional safeguarding support. If a child is in immediate danger, call 999 (UK) or 911 (US) now.
Frequently Asked Questions
Related Resources
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Quick Reference — My Child Is Being Bullied Online
My Child Is Being Bullied Online — Quick Reference
Safe Child Guide — safechildguide.com
Do this:
- 1. Give your child your full attention. Let them explain what has been happening in their own words. Acknowledge their feelings — say things like 'That sounds really hurtful' or 'I can see why that upset you'.
- 2. Screenshot the bullying messages, posts, or content. Record dates, times, usernames, and the platform used. Save everything — even if it seems minor now, a pattern of behaviour is important.
- 3. Help your child block the person or people responsible. Report the content to the platform using their bullying or harassment reporting tools. Most platforms take reports involving minors seriously.
- 4. If the bullying involves classmates or other known children, contact the school's safeguarding lead or pastoral team. Schools have a duty to address bullying that affects their pupils, even if it happens outside school hours.
- 5. Discuss with your child what they would like to happen next. This might include adjusting privacy settings, taking a break from certain apps, or agreeing on a code word they can use if they need help quickly.
Do NOT do this:
- ✗ Do not contact the bully or their parents directly in anger — this can escalate the situation and is better handled through school or official channels.
- ✗ Do not take away your child's phone or devices as a first response — they may see this as punishment for speaking up.
- ✗ Do not encourage your child to retaliate or 'give as good as they get'.
- ✗ Do not post about the situation on social media — this can make things worse for your child.
Stay calm. You are doing the right thing by looking for help. Your child needs your support, not your panic.
Last reviewed: 2026-03-01