Today’s children and teens are growing up in a world where technology is part of everyday life. While it brings amasing opportunities to connect, learn, and explore, it also opens the door to cyberbullying — a serious issue that can deeply affect a young person’s wellbeing.
Unlike bullying in person, cyberbullying can happen anytime — during school, after hours, even late at night — and it can feel like there’s no safe space to escape. That’s why it’s so important for adults to understand what cyberbullying looks like and how to help children feel supported and empowered.
What Cyberbullying Can Look Like
Cyberbullying isn’t just name-calling online. It can take many forms, such as:
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Sending hurtful or threatening messages
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Spreading rumors through social media
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Sharing embarrassing photos without consent
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Excluding someone from online groups.
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Impersonating someone to damage their reputation
- Deepfakes which are videos, images, or audio recordings that are digitally manipulated to make it look like someone is doing or saying something they never actually did
Because it happens behind screens — often without the immediate presence or regulation of adults, teachers, or police — children may feel a false sense of safety and entitlement to behave in ways they wouldn’t in person. From the privacy of their bedrooms, behaviours can escalate, and cyberbullying can easily go unnoticed. Many children keep these experiences a secret from parents and carers. Yet, the emotional impact is just as real, and often just as painful, as face-to-face bullying, and can lead to serious mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, sleep disorders, and in some cases, even contribute to self-harm or suicide.
How Cyberbullying Affects Children
Children and teens who experience cyberbullying might:
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Feel anxious, sad, or angry
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Lose interest in activities they used to enjoy
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Avoid social situations, both online and offline
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Struggle with schoolwork or attendance
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Show changes in sleep or appetite
Some young people might even blame themselves, feeling powerless to make it stop. That’s why having a strong support system is so important.
Signs Your Child Might Be Experiencing Cyberbullying
Some signs to watch for include:
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Becoming upset or withdrawn after using a device
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Trying to avoid conversations about their online life
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Being unusually secretive with their phone or computer
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Sudden changes in mood or friendships
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Hesitating to go to school or activities they normally enjoy
Not every child will show obvious signs, so keeping open communication is key.
Ways to Help
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Create a Safe Space to Talk: Let your child know they can come to you about anything that happens online, without the fear of losing their device or being judged. Have regular discussions about healthy behaviours both online and offline. Talk about the harmful effects of excessive screen time, helping them understand how it can impact their well-being. Encourage them to make informed choices that promote their health and happiness, while fostering a sense of agency in their decision-making.
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Teach Strategies & Skills: Equip your child with the tools they need to navigate the digital world safely and confidently. Teach them how to identify and manage online risks, set personal boundaries, and make positive choices. Encourage critical thinking about what they see online, and help them develop skills to handle negative situations, such as blocking harmful content or knowing when to ask for help. These strategies will increase their sense of self, improve self-esteem, and boost positivity, empowering them to face challenges with resilience.
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Set Healthy Digital Boundaries: Encourage your child to take regular breaks from screens and spend time in the real world. Keep devices out of the bedroom at night, and establish downtime schedules. Be an active parent when it comes to monitoring device use, and make sure your child knows that you are doing this for their safety. Strive to find a good balance between respecting their privacy and ensuring they’re using technology responsibly.
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Teach Smart Online Skills: Educate your child about the potential dangers of the internet, including the importance of privacy settings. Regularly check the apps they use and review what has been downloaded recently. Teach them how to block harmful accounts and encourage them to speak up whenever something feels wrong. Reinforce the idea that they should never feel afraid to ask for help if something online makes them uncomfortable.
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Document and Report: If your child is bullied online, keep a record of the messages or posts. Report serious cases to the platform, school, organisation or even the police if needed.
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Get Extra Support: If your child is struggling emotionally, reaching out to a counsellor can be a valuable step in helping them heal.
Building a Kinder Digital World
Preventing cyberbullying isn’t just about reacting to it — it’s about creating online spaces where kindness, respect, and responsibility are expected. When families, schools, and communities work together, we can help children feel safer and stronger both online and off.
Written by Lorena Fernandez Collazo, Registered Clinical Counsellor (ACA)
