Cyberbullying is bullying that takes place online or through digital devices. It can happen on social media, in messaging apps, via emails, or even in online games. Unlike traditional bullying, cyberbullying can reach people anywhere and at any time, making the impact it can have on victims particularly harmful.
As children and young people spend more and more time communicating with others online, it can feel hard to keep up with what's going on in their world. This is why it's important to feel confident about what to look out for and to know how to help if your child needs it.
Scroll down to find out more about the types of cyberbullying, how to recognise when it might be happening, and what to do if you think it is.
Children complete a listening test during classes at a subway school in Kharkiv, Ukraine.
Types of cyberbullying
Harassment
Harassment means sending someone unwanted or upsetting messages over and over again online. This might be insults, threats, name-calling or nasty comments on social media, messaging apps or in games. It usually targets one person and continues over time, making them feel worried, upset or unsafe.
Denigration
Denigration is when someone tries to damage another person's reputation by sharing harmful content about them online. This could be lies, rumours, embarrassing photos, edited images or private screenshots. The aim is to shame or humiliate them, or turn others against them. Because content spreads so quickly on social media and in group chats, it can be hard for children to escape the damage.
Flaming
Flaming is when people have aggressive arguments online using abusive or threatening language. You might see this in comment sections, gaming chats or group messages, where people use swearing, insults or personal attacks. The intention is to provoke, embarrass or intimidate someone rather than sort out a disagreement. For children, this can be really frightening.
Outing or trickery
Outing or trickery happens when a child shares secrets, personal information or images with someone they trust, then that person shares it with others without permission. This might be screenshots of private conversations or personal details posted publicly or passed around a friendship group. The combination of emotional manipulation and betrayal with a loss of control over personal information means this is often treated as a more serious form of online abuse.
Exclusion
Exclusion is when a child is deliberately left out of online spaces to hurt or isolate them. This could mean being removed from group chats, not being invited to online games, or watching classmates create new groups without them. This a common behaviour in cyberbullying, and can damage self‑esteem and make children feel rejected and alone.
Examples of cyberbullying
- Sending upsetting messages to someone either directly or in a group chat or shared space online.
- Creating fake accounts aimed at harming someone else by using their name to post messages or to share abusive content about them.
- Creating and sharing embarrassing or malicious photos or videos.
- Excluding someone from online games or groups.
- Hijacking or stealing accounts to share messages intended to harm the target.
Effects of cyberbullying
The effects of cyberbullying can be really serious and may worsen the longer it continues. They will be different for each individual and may manifest in ways you might not quickly link with cyberbullying. Children experiencing cyberbullying may feel:
- Sad or depressed
- Anxious
- Alone
- Afraid
They may struggle to concentrate at school or find it hard to go to school, causing their behaviour or performance to dip. They might lose their appetite, lose interest in hobbies, or stop socialising as much as they used to. They may also self-harm or experience thoughts of self-harm.
Children who see another child being bullied online may also experience feelings of guilt or helplessness.
A smile appears on Lana's face while using a laptop to move the robot instead of her hands
How to recognise cyberbullying
Because it happens online, cyberbullying can be hard to spot.
Children might find it hard to tell anyone about what's happening, so it's important to know what signs to look out for:
- Being upset after using the internet or their mobile phone
- Not wanting to go to school or avoiding seeing friends or peers
- Not wanting to go to events/activities that they usually would
- Difficulty sleeping or eating
- Being more secretive or private about their phone or online activity
- Spending much more or much less time on their phone, online games or social media
- Lots of new phone numbers/email addresses appearing on their phone
- Loss of confidence
- Becoming more withdrawn than usual
- Become more irritable, down, or anxious than usual
- Having unexplained injuries
How to prevent cyberbullying
There are lots of ways to help children stay safe online. Read our practical advice on how you can help keep your child safe online.
Despite taking all the right steps, things can still go wrong.
Having open, regular conversations with your children about their social life and their online activity will help you to keep up with what's going on in their world. It will also help them feel comfortable telling you if bullying or cyberbullying starts happening to them. Being open and non-judgmental will help to keep healthy communication going.
Children should learn about cyberbullying at school, but it can be helpful to talk to them about what it is, examples of what it might look like, and what they can do if they ever see it happening to others or experience it themselves.
What to Do if you think your child is being cyberbullied
How you respond to potential cyberbullying matters.
If you're worried about your child, ask them if anything is going on that they want to tell you about. It's important to be open, listen and to take them seriously.
If your child tells you about bullying happening online, stay calm and listen: Thank them for telling you. Avoid reacting with anger or panic, even if you're worried or upset. Your response now determines whether they'll come to you again.
Reassure them: They did the right thing telling you, and you'll be able to make it stop together.
Document evidence: Take screenshots before reporting or deleting anything, as this may be needed later.
Report it:
Use platform reporting tools to flag harmful content or behaviour.
Contact your child's school if other students are involved.
For serious concerns, contact the police. If you're worried your child is in immediate danger call 999.
Seek support from organisations like the NSPCC, Childline, or Internet Watch Foundation (contact details below).
Don't immediately remove access: Unless there's immediate danger, taking away devices can feel like punishment and may stop children seeking help in future. Work together on solutions instead.
Get professional support if needed: If your child is distressed, struggling with sleep or showing changes in behaviour, talk to your GP or school about accessing counselling.
Where to get help:
Childline: 0800 1111 (children can call, have an online chat or send an email)
NSPCC Helpline: 0808 800 5000 (for adults worried about a child)
Report Harmful Content: CEOP (Child Exploitation and Online Protection Command)
Internet Watch Foundation: Report child sexual abuse imagery
Take It Down: Service to remove intimate images of under-18s from major platforms
Report Harmful Content: Free advice for 13+ on reporting harmful online content
Jhon, 11, and his cousin Jheyson, 11, watch videos on YouTube on a mobile phone.
Frequently Asked Questions about Cyberbullying
What should I do if my child is being cyberbullied?
If your child is being cyberbullied, you can get guidance on what to do above.
It's important to be open and listen. Ask them about what has been going on and stay calm when they tell you. Don't take away any devices or social media accounts as this can feel like punishment. Take steps together to document what has happened by taking screenshots, report the behaviour and get support from school, the police, and other authoritative organisations to help you.
Is cyberbullying illegal and can it be reported to the police?
While cyberbullying itself is not an illegal offense, activity that occurs online can amount to a crime under UK law.
For example, harassment both off and online is illegal, and bullying because of a protected characteristic is a hate crime.
While you should report inappropriate activity directly to social media networks, as well as to school so your child can be supported, incidents that occur online can be reported to the police if necessary, and you can always contact the police if there is an immediate danger to personal safety.
Can cyberbullying affect my child’s school performance?
Children might struggle to concentrate at school if they are being bullied or cyberbullied. When they're in school their behaviour might change or they might find it hard to focus in lessons. They may also not want to go to school at all. Since the abuse is happening online and can reach them at any time, they also might struggle to complete homework.
All of this can impact their performance at school.
Being non-judgmental and patient is important to help children be open about what might be going on. It's important we don't make them feel like it's their fault, and help them understand that there is support for them.
How can I report cyberbullying on social media platforms?
Each social media platform will have its own reporting tools. You will need to go via each platform where the abuse is happening to report it directly. You should also block the bully, take screenshots of messages and posts for evidence, and you may need to contact the police if threats or harassment persists.
How can schools help prevent and respond to cyberbullying?
In England and Wales, under Section 89 of the Education and Inspections Act 2006, schools have a duty to protect their pupils from bullying both off and online.
They will have rules on how phones and social media are allowed to be used on school premises, as well as how they expect their pupils to behave online at all times. They should also have policies about how they expect their staff to help prevent and respond to individual cases of cyberbullying.
Schools will be able to support parents with keeping their children safe online, and will take concerns raised by parents seriously. They should support parents and children through any incidences of cyberbullying, responding to concerns quickly and appropriately.
Can schools discipline students for cyberbullying that happens off-campus?
Yes, in England and Wales, under Section 89 of the Education and Inspections Act 2006, schools have a duty to protect their pupils from bullying both off and online, no matter where it has taken place.
What emotional support is available for children who have been cyberbullied?
It's important for your child to be able to talk about what happened to them with you or someone else they trust and feel comfortable with.
If they would prefer, children can call Childline on 0800 1111 or have an online chat via email. There is also lots of written support available on their website.
You may also consider seeking counselling for your child if they need it. Your child's school may be able to help with this.
Can cyberbullying escalate into physical bullying?
Yes, cyberbullying could escalate into physical bullying. While cyberbullying can be anonymous, it is possible that online abuse escalated from offline bullying, or vice versa. There is support available for both kinds of bullying and both should be taken equally as seriously.
what we're doing to help
At Save the Children, we believe all children should be able to explore, learn and play wherever they are - including online. But not every child has the same level of protection, access to education or support.
That's why through our work in the UK and around the world, we're helping children thrive in the digital world.
Championing Children's Digital Wellbeing with Vodafone Foundation
We're working with Vodafone Foundation to make the online world a safer, more supportive place for children to learn, play and connect.
Almost everything children do today, from learning and playing to connecting with friends involves being online. But too many children are navigating this space without the protective structures and support they need to feel safe.
That's what we want to fix with this partnership. This collaboration prioritises children's rights and their protection, ensures their meaningful participation in decision-making and promotes inclusive, resilient and safe digital environments.
You can learn more about this partnership, as well as access free activities and resources for children aged 9-16 that teach digital skills, online safety and responsible digital citizenship.
Anastasiia* is playing educational games on a tablet at a Digital Learning Centre (Dnipro Region, East Ukraine)
This guidance was developed with input from Save the Children's child protection specialists and reflects current best practice in online safety education. Content updated December 2025.
