Online bullying

Find information about what online bullying is, how to spot the signs in your child and where to get support.

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What is online bullying

Online bullying or cyber bullying is sending, posting, or sharing negative, harmful, false, or mean content about someone else.

This includes sharing or posting personal information
about someone online.

Sometimes online bullying starts from someone your child knows (such as a classmate from school) but it can come from strangers online.

It can be done anonymously and could happen at any time, which means it can be hard to escape.

Online bullying can be:

• intimidation and threats
• harassment and stalking
• writing or saying something about someone, so that others view them differently
• exclusion or rejection from similar age friend groups
• pretending to be someone for fun to cause harm or for fraud
• unauthorised publication of personal information or images
• manipulation

Where online bullying can happen

Online bullying can happen in many places connected to the internet.

For example, it can happen through:

• social media
• text and WhatsApp messages
• apps where you can send messages or images (like Discord, Roblox messaging service and Snapchat)
• online gaming
• live streaming or video platforms

Spot the signs of online bullying

Being able to spot the signs that your child is being bullied can make it easier to recognise when they need support. These may be different for every child, but many will be similar.

Changes in behaviour

Signs that your child might be being bullied online could be:

• sudden changes in behaviour or mood (for example, after being online or sending messages they become distant, angry, anxious or upset)
• spending a lot more or less time than usual online
• not telling you or becoming secretive about who they are talking to or what they are doing online
• getting lots of new contacts, messages, calls, on their devices
• becoming withdrawn and spending less time with family and friends
• changes in their school life (such as not wanting to go or changes to their grades)
• starting to use language or talk about things inappropriate for their age

Physical changes

Physical signs that your child might be being bullied online could be:

• changes to their sleeping and eating patterns (such as staying up late or not eating properly)
• sudden changes to their physical appearance (such as unexplained injuries, weight loss or gain, not wanting to wear certain clothes

What can I do to help or stop online bullying

The best way to help or stop your child from being bullied online is to be involved in their digital activities and experiences.

This might include:

• having regular talks with your child about being safe online
• making sure they can only access age-appropriate content on their device
• checking who is trying to contact your child (such as reviewing friend requests and messages)
• look for signs and changes in behaviour
• block and report content or messages sent to your child to bully them
• talking to your child’s school if other pupils are involved

What to do if your child has bullied someone

The NSPCC offer advice on what you can do if you find out your child has bullied someone.

Did you know?

According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), 19% of 10 to 15 year old’s have experienced online bullying behaviour.

Resources and support for parents for online bullying
 
Resources to support conversations and help with online bullying:

GOV.UK Bullying guidance gives clear information on the law, reporting and definitions

The Anti-Bullying Alliance’s guide can help you understand ‘what is online bullying?‘

NSPCC – Keeping children safe while gaming has a
guide to help parents of children experiencing online bullying

Family Kidscape offer help and support for parents on bullying

Internet Matters offers a guide to starting conversations about cyber bullying

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