Cyberbullying

Cyberbullying, or online bullying, is bullying that’s done by means of technology – for example, using the internet or a mobile phone to hurt, harass or embarrass someone. If you’re experiencing cyberbullying in Australia, you’re not alone. Unfortunately, up to one in five young Australians have reported being cyberbullied.

We've got some useful resources that can help you deal with online bullying.

What is cyberbullying?

Learn more about what cyberbullying is, what it looks like and what you can do about it.

Roseanna's cyberbullying story

Cyberbullying is the worst. Roseanna reflects that she wished she had talk to someone earlier; as the more people she talked to, the easier it became.

2 ways to deal with bullying

People who bully are looking to get under your skin, and they might even feel encouraged if they believe they're getting to you. It's good to know you have a choice on how to respond to bullying in the heat of the moment.

5 strategies for dealing with cyberbullying

5 strategies on how to prevent cyberbullying

Cyberbullying can be overwhelming and can make you feel completely out of control. But the good news is, there are steps you can take to help you deal with a cyberbullying situation.

4 things everyone needs to stop doing online

Here's four things people do online that need to stop

Tuo's story about online bullying

Hear from Tuo about how they use cooking and connecting with cousins to help them through tough times online.

5 steps to talking about bullying

Cyberbullying can be overwhelming and can make you feel completely out of control. Rahart has steps on how to talk about your bullying experiences.

5 ways to look after yourself after being bullied

Self-care is super-important if you're experiencing bullying. We've got the 5 best ways that you can look after yourself when you're going through a tough time.

How to get help for bullying

If you see a bullying situation play out, it can be really hard to know what to do. But, did you know that in the majority of cases bullying will stop in minutes when someone steps up? Learn how to safely stand up to others here.

How to spot a troll

Internet trolls are no fun to have around. Find out what 'trolling' is and how it's different to cyberbullying.

5 tips for dealing with online trolls

Trolls, or online bullies, are total pests - but you don’t have to let them bring you down, nor do you have to stop participating in your favourite online spaces. Here are some tips for dealing with trolls.

How Ashleigh dealt with cyberbullying

Struggling because of cyberbullies? Discover Ashleigh’s cyber bullying story and see how she managed the situation and survived.

James' bullying story

James' bullying experiences in high school led to some pretty severe anxiety. He shares how focusing on himself was the thing that got him through.

How talking about bullying can help

We chatted to a bunch of young people who had all experienced bullying and they all agreed on one thing: talking was the thing that helped them more than anything else.

Have questions about exams and study stress? Get answers, just Ask ReachOut.

Want to know more?

Just Ask ReachOut, our AI tool that gives you reliable, anonymous answers to your questions, generated from ReachOut articles and resources.

Frequently asked questions about cyberbullying

Social media bullying is one type of cyberbullying, which includes any kind of online harassment or bullying through digital platforms. If you’re experiencing this, you're not alone - lots of young people go through similar situations, and support is available to help you deal with it.

Yes, cyberbullying is considered a serious offense in Australia, and there are laws in place to protect you. If someone is cyberbullying you, it's important to know that you have rights and there are people who can help you take action. Read more about cyberbullying laws.

You can report cyberbullying through various channels, including through eSafety, your school's bullying reporting system, or directly through social media platforms. Remember, speaking up about cyberbullying is brave, and there are people ready to support you every step of the way.