Reading time: 4 minutes
Suitable for: Families with children of all ages
Around one in five children aged 10 to 15 years in England and Wales are victims of online bullying (also called cyberbullying). That’s around 764,000 children affected.
Online or cyberbullying is when perpetrators use the internet or other technology to harass their victims. This can happen publicly for others to see, like on social media. And it can happen privately, for example, by emailing or texting.
Cyberbullying may include:
- Sending mean or threatening comments
- Sending inappropriate or sexual images, or asking for them
- Spreading rumours online
- Posting embarrassing images or videos without consent
- Posting private information online without consent
- Impersonating someone online or tampering with their profile
Signs your child is being bullied online
Bullying can affect your child’s self-esteem and this may show in their mood and behaviour. They may become more withdrawn, secretive, and less sociable. They may take their frustrations out on you or their siblings. You may spot a sudden change in their mood or behaviour after they’ve been online.
Your child may well show the same signs as when they’re being bullied in other ways. For more on this, read How to Help Your Child With Bullying.
Please login or register for FREE to continue reading this content
