Tips for dealing with online bullying

One in seven young people admit to bullying others online. Credit: Chris Radburn/PA Wire

Cyber bullying is any form of bullying which takes place online or through your mobile phone.

The advice website BullyingUK says that most young people will experience it at some point in their lives, while a recent poll found that one in seven children have bullied others online.

Cyber bullying can take the form of threats, blackmail, someone stealing your online identity, spreading rumours or gossip, abusive comments and nasty pictures.

What should I do if I experience or witness cyber bullying?

  • If you come across anything on the internet where people are making suggestions to you that make you feel uncomfortable or upset, tell your parents or another adult.

  • BullyingUK has tips on reporting abuse, blocking certain people and closing your account on many social media sites.

  • Do not delete example of bullying before you have printed them, or taken a snapshot of the computer screen. It will be useful as evidence.

  • Consider reporting abuse to the social media website or email provider, or to the police or CEOP (see below).

Tips on avoiding cyber bullying

  • Try to pick an unusual password to stop others stealing your online identity. Use letters and numbers. Don't use any part of your name or email address.

  • Only tell people things if it wouldn't embarrass you if other people found out about them.

  • Don't upload anything that might embarrass you at a later date.

  • Don’t post anything on a social media site which gives your real name, address, school, phone number or which will allow a stranger to contact you in real life.

  • Turn off your location settings on websites like Twitter and Facebook.

  • Only meet someone from a chatroom in a public place with one of your parents or another adult.

Most social media sites allow you report abuse and block certain people. Credit: Rui Vieira/PA Wire

What action can I take against cyber bullies?

  • There are ways that people who send emails can be tracked. Many Internet service providers have contact email addresses for complaints. Read more here.

  • CEOP (The Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre) investigates cases of sex abuse and grooming on the internet. You, your parents or anyone else who is concerned, can report incidents by clicking the red button on the top right hand corner of the CEOP website.

  • Anyone who makes threats to you on the internet could be committing a criminal offence. Tell your parents about any abuse so that they can alert your school and make a complaint to the police.

  • Get further advice and support from BullyingUK by calling 0808 800 2222 or emailing them here.