Cyberbullying

What Is Cyberbullying?

Cyberbullying involves using technology, social media, messaging platforms, online games, websites, or digital communication to repeatedly harm, intimidate, exclude, threaten, embarrass, or target another person.

Unlike traditional bullying, online behaviour can spread quickly, remain visible for long periods of time, and reach people far beyond a school or local community.

Common Forms of Cyberbullying

Cyberbullying can include hurtful messages, online harassment, spreading rumours, sharing embarrassing content, creating fake accounts, excluding people from online groups, impersonation, threats, or encouraging others to target an individual online.

Sometimes harmful behaviour may be disguised as a joke, but repeated actions that cause distress or harm should always be taken seriously.

Why Cyberbullying Can Be Different

Online interactions do not end when the school day is over. Young people may feel that cyberbullying follows them everywhere because phones, social media, and online platforms are often part of daily life.

The ability to share content quickly, anonymously, or repeatedly can sometimes make harmful online behaviour more difficult to recognize or address.

Cyberbullying can affect student wellbeing, confidence, friendships, school participation, and a young person’s sense of safety both online and offline.

What To Do If Cyberbullying Happens

If cyberbullying occurs, it is important not to face the situation alone. Saving screenshots, documenting messages, blocking accounts when appropriate, reporting harmful content, and speaking with a trusted adult are often important first steps.

Parents, caregivers, educators, and school staff can help determine the most appropriate response and support available.

Supporting Others Online

Online communities are shaped by the choices people make every day. Showing kindness, refusing to participate in harassment, reporting harmful behaviour, supporting those who are targeted, and encouraging respectful communication all help create safer digital environments.

Students can also practice allyship online by including others, avoiding harmful sharing, checking in on friends, and seeking help when someone is being targeted.

Building Healthy Digital Habits

Responsible online behaviour involves thinking before posting, respecting privacy, communicating respectfully, protecting personal information, and understanding that digital actions can have real-world consequences.

Digital citizenship is one of the most effective tools for preventing cyberbullying and creating positive online communities.

Trusted Resources & Support

Cyberbullying prevention works best when students, families, educators, and communities work together to support safer communication, respectful online behaviour, and early intervention.

For additional wellbeing resources and support in Ukraine, visit How Are You? (Ти як?), a national mental health initiative supporting emotional wellbeing and open conversations.

Cyberbullying FAQ

What is cyberbullying?

Cyberbullying is the use of digital technology, social media, messaging platforms, games, or online spaces to repeatedly harm, threaten, embarrass, exclude, or target another person.

Why can cyberbullying feel so difficult to escape?

Cyberbullying can happen outside school hours, spread quickly, remain visible online, and follow young people through the devices and platforms they use every day.

What should students do if cyberbullying happens?

Students should save evidence, avoid responding in anger, block or report harmful accounts when appropriate, and speak with a trusted adult, parent, caregiver, teacher, or school staff member.

How can cyberbullying be prevented?

Cyberbullying can be reduced through digital citizenship, respectful communication, privacy awareness, allyship, early reporting, and stronger support from schools, families, and online communities.