Cyberbullying

Online bullying can have a devastating impact on young people, whose online life is a key part of their identity and how they interact socially.

Cyberbullying behaviour takes many forms, such as sending abusive messages, hurtful images or videos, nasty online gossip, excluding or humiliating others, or creating fake accounts in someone’s name to trick or humiliate them.

I think my child is being bullied

Your child may not tell you if they are experiencing bullying behaviour online because of a fear it might make things worse for them or they may lose access to their devices and the internet.

Signs to watch for

• Being upset after using the internet or their mobile phone
• Changes in personality, becoming more withdrawn, anxious, sad or angry
• Appearing more lonely or distressed; unexpected changes in friendship groups
• A decline in their school work and changes in their sleep patterns
• Avoidance of school or clubs; a decline in their physical health
• Becoming secretive about their online activities and mobile phone use

What to do if your child is being cyberbullied

Removing your child’s phone or computer could be really unhelpful. Cutting off their online access does not teach them about online safety or help build resilience. It could alienate them from their peers, and it also removes an essential tool for them to communicate and connect with friends.

Make sure you have an open dialogue from the beginning. Talk to them without being judgemental or angry, and make them feel they can come to you with anything, without fear of being punished.

Gauge the scale of the problem. Empathise with your child and let them know that you understand how they feel. If the bullying is intense or seems quite serious, this could be a symptom of something larger — seek help if needed (counsellor, helpline, or external professional).

If your child is being threatened, or if they indicate a wish to harm themselves, you should get professional help immediately. Call the child helpline if their physical safety is at risk.

Help build confidence and decision-making skills. Work together on options and reassure them that you’re there if they need to talk again soon.

Before blocking or deleting posts/messages, take screenshots and collect evidence including dates and times. If material involves sexualised images of under-18s, do not save or share it — taking screenshots may be illegal in some jurisdictions.

Encourage your child not to retaliate. Help them block or unfriend the sender and change privacy settings to restrict who can see their posts and profile page.

Most social platforms and games make it easy to report harmful content. If serious cyberbullying is affecting your child and you need help to get material removed, seek assistance from the relevant platform or local support services.

Schools often have a policy to address cyberbullying and may be able to provide support whether or not the bullying is from a student at your child’s school. Contact their teacher or school counsellor.

This material has been adapted with permission from the Australian Government eSafety Commissioner. Permission to adapt content does not constitute endorsement of material by the eSafety Commissioner.