Cyberbullying

The impact of cyberbullying is the same as any other form of bullying, affecting self-esteem and self-confidence, and in severe cases leading to mental health issues and the potential consequences of self-harm and suicidal thoughts. 

With the increasing use of technology, coupled with the growing numbers of social media and gaming platforms, the issue of cyberbullying has also increased. For some children and young people, this has reportedly led to tragic consequences. The ability to hide behind technology means that some people are regularly being trolled by others. 

Cyberbullying can take many forms: 

• threats and intimidation; 
• harassment and stalking; 
• the forwarding of images (including nude/semi-nude images) and information that has been shared privately by the victim; 
• isolation or rejection (including by peer groups); 
• defamation of character; 
• revealing sensitive or personal information about someone without their consent (known as doxing); 
• using tagging and/or memes to humiliate; 
• impersonating someone to belittle them; 
• creating or adding to an abusive poll about someone. 

Parents, carers, teachers and practitioners must ensure we help children and young people stay safe when online, accepting that for children and young people today there is no differentiation between online and offline worlds. 

How cyberbullying happens 

Children and young people talked to Childnet about a range of ways that cyberbullying could be carried out, including: 

• posting comments, messages, photos or screenshots that are mean, threatening, untrue, personal, secret or embarrassing; 
• anonymous messages or abuse (on social networks or online gaming); 
• filming you or taking photos of you without your consent; 
• ‘indirect’ messages when you don’t directly name someone, but everyone knows who you are talking about; 
• fake accounts or profiles; 
• excluding people from online conversations or talking behind your back. 

Participants also mentioned cyberbullying could be targeted on the grounds of gender, gender identity, sexual orientation and race. 

It’s important that as professionals, we listen to what we are being told and are prepared to talk about the impact of technology on children and young people, seeking advice if we don’t understand the issues being discussed. 

What you need to know 

Cyberbullying is an increasingly common form of bullying behaviour (in the 2020 Ditch the Label report, over a quarter of children reported being cyberbullied). Children may know who is bullying them online – it may be an extension of offline bullying – or they may be targeted by someone using a fake or anonymous account.  

It can happen at any time or anywhere – a child can be bullied when they are alone in their bedroom – so it can feel like there is no escape. 

It’s easy to be anonymous online and this may increase the likelihood of engaging in bullying behaviour. 

Cyberbullying can have a devastating effect on children and young people. It’s important that settings take measures to prevent and tackle all forms of bullying among children and young people. 

If online content is offensive or inappropriate, and the person or people responsible are known, you need to ensure they understand why the material is unacceptable or offensive and request they remove it. 

It’s also important that settings make it clear that the bullying of staff, whether by pupils, parents or colleagues, is unacceptable. The Department for Education says one in five teachers (21%) have reported having derogatory comments posted about them on social media sites from both parents and children. 

Think about what measures you have in place in your setting to address potential discrimination and the targeting of these children. How are British values promoted in the curriculum in a way that creates a cohesive culture in your setting? How do you raise awareness of the problems and reduce the impact of cyberbullying? Do you have routes that children and young people use to report a concern, and are these well publicised and understood by them?