Find out more about this year’s Anti-Bullying Week.

Cyberbullying refers to bullying that takes place online or via mobile devices through websites, apps, messages and other communication tools.

Cyberbullying covers everything from a series of mean messages to photos posted online intended to embarrass or intimidate someone.

Signs that children are experiencing cyberbullying, include:

• Bad temper or extreme mood swings
• Reclusive behaviour
• Unwillingness to go to school
• Poor performance at school
• Skipping school
• Obsessive use of a computer or mobile device
• Loss of appetite

Cyberbullying is serious because it can happen at any time and is hard to get away from.

Digital communication tools can often be used anonymously, which makes it harder for bullies to be traced.

Furthermore, once information, like a picture, has been shared online, it’s difficult for them to be deleted completely, and may be remain public forever.

Children who experience cyberbullying are more likely to:

• Lose friendships
• Lose confidence and self-esteem
• Perform poorly at school
• Experience mental health problems
• Self harm
• Use alcohol or drugs

While Cyberbullying can not be prevented completely, there are several steps parents, carers or teachers can take to help reduce the harm caused by cyberbullying.

You can take action by:

1. Being aware of what sites, apps and messaging services children are using. Internet browsers have a search history, which logs all sites that have been visited in the past
2. Taking an interest in children’s online activities by asking them what they’re doing and who they are talking to
3. Installing parental control and safety software that blocks inappropriate websites, searches or programmes
4. Asking children to write down their passwords and keep them in a safe place for you to use in an emergency
5. Following or befriending children on their social media profile or asking another responsible adult to do so

You can make children more aware by:

1. Being clear about what types of sites are appropriate for them and what types of sites are inappropriate
2. Talking to them openly about cyberbullying, giving them real life examples that you read in the news or find online
3. Encouraging them not to share private information online like their address
4. Asking them to think first before they share personal images or videos. If they wouldn’t want a stranger to see it, they should not be posting it
5. Reminding them to keep their passwords safe and not share them with friends as this can compromise their control over their online presence

Finally, regularly encourage children to tell you or another adult immediately if they, or someone they know, is being cyberbullied.

1. If a child has told you about the cyberbullying, thank them and reassure them they have done the right thing
2. If you have come across the cyberbullying, tell the child you are concerned with what you have seen and ask them to be honest with you about it
3. Don’t respond or react to messages and don’t share abusive online posts in retaliation
4. Keep evidence of the bullying by saving or taking screenshots or pictures of them
5. Keep a note of the time and date of the messages or online posts and any information about the user’s name and profile
6. When the necessary evidence has been collected, block the user where possible (refer to individual website or app guidelines)
7. Report cyberbullying to the online service provider
8. Inform the school

If you know who the cyber bully is, you should:

1. Report it to the school
2. Ask to speak to their parents or carers
3. Encourage your child not to speak to or engage with the person in question where possible

Police need to know about serious Cyberbullying activities, which could be criminal offences, such as:

• Threatening and intimidating language
• Child pornography
• Sexually explicit messages, photos and video
• Stalking and harassment
• Hate crimes

The following resources offer support for children and advice for parents and carers:

Childline
NSPCC
Bully Busters
The CyberSmile Foundation