Cyber bullying
What is cyber bullying?
Cyber bullying is the misuse of digital technologies or communications to bully a person or a group, typically through messages or actions that are threatening and/or intended to cause offence, anxiety or humiliation.
Examples of cyber bullying
Abusive comments, rumours, gossip and threats made using digital communications and/or technologies - this includes internet trolling.
Sharing pictures, videos or personal information without the consent of the owner and with the intent to cause harm or humiliation.
Hacking into someone's email, phone or online profiles to extract and share personal information, or to send hurtful content while posing as that person.
Creating dedicated websites that intend to harm, make fun of someone or spread malicious rumours.
Pressurising someone to do something they do not want to such as sending a sexually explicit image.
Related advice
For parents
Reporting cyber bullying
Addressing online risk
Protecting your child online
For young people
Dealing with cyber bullying
Staying safe on social media
What is sexting?
#DontSayDontSend
Cookies, a new West End play, deals with the effects of cyberbullying, including anonymous abusive texts and how it feels to not know who’s behind the messages. Based on the experiences of over 100 young people, this astonishing digital journey raises awareness of what young people face today.
