Online bullying can happen through many platforms, including:
- Emails
- Text messages
- Chat rooms, forums, and communities (e.g. Reddit, Quora)
- Social media platforms (e.g. Twitter/X, Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, LinkedIn)
- Messaging apps (e.g. WhatsApp, Snapchat)
- Other websites and online spaces
What online bullying looks like
Online bullying behaviour can include:
1. Hurtful communication
- Being teased or made fun of online
- Unpleasant or insulting comments about you
2. Harmful sharing of content
- Photos or videos of you shared without permission
- Embarrassing or private content posted publicly
3. Identity misuse
- Someone using your username or password
- Pretending to be you online
- Posting harmful or embarrassing content as you
4. Blackmail and coercion
- Threatening to share private information or images
- Pressuring you to do something you don’t want to do
- Using fear to control behaviour
5. Fake friendships and manipulation
- Someone pretending to be your friend
- Gaining trust and then manipulating you
- Asking for inappropriate or uncomfortable things (including sexual images)
Important safeguarding warning
Sometimes cyberbullies:
- Use anonymous accounts
- Hide their identity
- Pretend to be someone else
- Create fake profiles to target people
This can make it harder to identify and report abuse.
If someone makes you feel unsafe online
If someone:
- Threatens you
- Blackmails you
- Pressures you into things that feel wrong
- Pretends to be your friend but behaves inappropriately
👉 They are not a real friend
This may also link to forms of exploitation, including concepts such as mate crime, where someone pretends to be a friend to gain control or take advantage.
Important safeguarding message
- Being bullied online is not your fault
- You have nothing to be ashamed or embarrassed about
- You are not to blame for someone else’s behaviour
- Help and support are always available
What to do if online bullying happens
You should:
- Tell a trusted adult or professional
- Save evidence (screenshots/messages)
- Block and report the person
- Seek support from safeguarding services or helplines
- Avoid responding to threats or pressure
Key safeguarding principles
- Online abuse is still abuse
- It can be anonymous or hidden
- It can involve manipulation, control, or coercion
- It can have serious emotional and mental health effects
- Victims should always be supported, not blamed
Easy Read summary
- Online bullying can happen on many apps and websites
- It can include nasty messages, photos, or threats
- Some people pretend to be someone else online
- Some people try to pressure or trick others
- Online bullying is not your fault
- You should tell someone and get help
- You are never alone
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