Managing cyberbullying
Students, parents, and teachers can use our resources to navigate negative online behaviours.
What is cyberbullying?
Cyberbullying is bullying behaviour using the internet or digital devices.
It might include:
- sending abusive texts and emails
- posting unkind messages or images
- imitating others online
- excluding others online
- tagging people in pictures against their wishes
- threatening to do something, such as send revealing images.
How is it different to other forms of bullying?
Cyberbullying is particularly hard for young people to cope with because:
- it's more likely to happen outside school
- harmful material can be shared quickly and long after the first incident
- it can happen any time, day or night
- it is more difficult for children to defend themselves or to get away.
What to do when a child reports cyberbullying
If your child reports cyberbullying:
- listen to them carefully
- discuss a plan of action
- involve relevant school personnel
- make a plan and follow up
- parents can download the department's fact sheets on anti-bullying and if your child is being bullied.
What children and young people need to know:
- Don’t reply or respond – bullies thrive on the reactions they get from their victims.
- Save the evidence – take screenshots of cyberbullying posts so you can use them as evidence later.
- Tell a trusted adult – children don't need to deal with bullies by themselves, teachers and parents will help.
- Report cyberbullying – this could be to your school or in more serious cases to the police and the Office of the eSafety Commissioner.
Where to get support
Serious online abuse should be reported to The Office of the eSafety Commissioner. Go to:
Watch the video to see what this can look like and how to protect yourself.
Be Nice on the Net - Phriendly Phishing
More resources
- Anti-bullying resources for parents and carers.
- The Essentials toolkit is an 8-page booklet with top parenting podcasts, free online courses and, self-care tips for busy parents.
Visit the Australian Government Department of Education's Student Wellbeing Hub for high-quality, age-appropriate information and resources.
- Advice about how to talk to your child about cyberbullying.
- For bullying on social media, report it to the platform where it occurred. Learn how with the eSafety Guide.
- If your child wants to talk to someone other than the school, or you think added support would help, refer them to Kids Helpline, or they can call 1800 55 1800.
- Parents can also call the parent line at Kids Helpline on 1300 1300 52.
They have trained teams who can provide support, information and, counselling for parents of children aged 0-18 years.
Available 9 am-9 pm Monday to Friday and 4 pm-9 pm weekends.
Beyond Blue provides information, resources and, support for young people dealing with depression and/or anxiety. You can reach them online or call them on 1300 222 4636.
Visit Headspace for tailored and holistic mental health support for 12-25-year-olds. It focuses on early intervention and helps young people strengthen their ability to manage their mental health in the future.
Visit Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS). They provide a range of services in the local community to children, adolescents and, their families with a range of difficulties that are seriously impacting their mental health and emotional wellbeing.
For teachers
Educators can help create positive environments by teaching smart and safe online practices.
To help you deliver positive outcomes, the NSW Department of Education has developed:
- anti-bullying units of work for Stages 1 to 5
- bullying prevention strategies
- advice to promote respect and positive relationships
- Be a Cybermarvel - be kind online for Stage 3 is a lesson plan to get students to learn and discuss the signs of cyberbullying and to explore their feelings if they see or experience this behaviour.
The Office of the eSafety Commissioner has cyberbullying resources and training to help you build online safety for your school community.