Online Bullying

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Online bullying (often referred to as cyberbullying) is intentional harmful or aggressive behaviour carried out by a group or individuals using digital technology.

It is repeated behaviour and can take place on social media, messaging platforms, gaming platforms and mobile phones.

Examples can include:

Sending messages aiming to upset, abuse or humiliate someone
Trolling or commenting nasty things under someone else’s post, which others can also see
Sharing an image online of someone without their consent, or editing an image of someone. This includes nude images
Deliberately leaving someone out of an online group, or chat
Targeting someone repeatedly in an online game
Someone revealing personal details without your permission
Putting aggressive pressure on someone or intimidating them
Creating fake accounts, hijacking, or stealing online identities to embarrass someone or cause trouble using their name
Spreading rumours or starting group chats about you

Experiencing bullying type behaviour can be really difficult and you might start to feel nervous, anxious and insecure about what people say or think about you. This can lead to withdrawing from friends and family, negative thoughts and self-talk, feeling guilty about things you did or did not do, or feeling that you are being judged negatively. It can feel lonely and overwhelming, which can affect negatively on your mental health and wellbeing.

No matter how alone you might feel, there is always someone you can talk to and someone who can help. Talking to a friend, family member or school counsellor you trust can be a first step to getting help. If your situation becomes more difficult or unmanageable contact your GP. If you don’t want to speak to someone you know then you can always get advice and support from a helpline.

If something is breaking the law

Sometimes bullying can be harassment, intimidation or threatening type behaviour, which is against the law. If an individual or group keeps making you feel scared on purpose, what they’re doing could be illegal.

This could include:

bullying you because of your race, gender or sexual identity, or if you have a disability, this is hate crime
sharing or threatening to share a nude image of you without your permission
making threats to hurt you or someone you know, or being violent or physically assaulting you
sending nasty or offensive messages to you or about you

If you are worried about your safety or feel that an individual or group may be breaking the law, contact the police for advice and support.

Dealing with online bullying

Report it and block people.

If someone’s bullying you online, you can report it on the site or app. Even if someone else has reported it, making a report yourself can make it more likely the content will be removed. Don’t reply to abusive messages or posts as this can make things worse.

Navigate safety settings.

Take a look at your privacy settings on social media, and consider restricting comments, messages, or words from certain users.

Keep evidence.

Keep a record of what has been happening. Take screenshots and save messages. This will help you to prove what has been happening when reporting.

Tell someone at school or club.

If you’re being bullied by people in school then your school has a responsibility to support you. If you have evidence of what has been happening, then show it to a teacher, school counsellor or another adult. You can also send a private message through a home-school communication app, such as Seesaw, Google classroom and Dojo, etc.

Get support from someone you trust.

Talking to a friend or trusted adult about what is happening can help. If your situation becomes more difficult or unmanageable contact your GP. If you don’t want to speak to someone you know then you can always get advice and support from a helpline.

Get Support

Police Service of Northern Ireland

If someone or something is making you feel scared, threatened or distressed, report it to the police by calling 101 or 999 in an emergency.

Trusted Adults or Your GP

If you are worried or concerned about something, please make sure you speak to an adult you trust. If your situation becomes more difficult or unmanageable please contact your GP.