Sadly, online bullying is becoming an increasingly common experience for young people. The eSafety Commissioner has shared that cyberbullying reports increased by 40% in 2023, with the majority of reports concerning young people aged 12 to 15 years. The best way to combat cyberbullying is to know how to protect yourself and stay safe online. We’ve pulled together some info to help you learn more.
What is cyber-bullying?
Cyberbullying can be things like sending hurtful messages, sharing embarrassing photos or videos, spreading gossip, and creating fake accounts of real people. Cyberbullying can happen on a social media site, gaming platform, over messages, or any other online service. This can include: posts, comments, texts, messages, chats, live streams, memes, images, videos and emails.
What to do if you’re experiencing cyber-bullying
This Safer Internet Day we're encouraging you to take three simple actions when approaching online safety: Connect. Reflect. Protect.
- Connect safely by keeping apps and devices secure and reviewing your privacy settings regularly. This can mean having your privacy settings on friends only and having two-factor authentication on for all apps if available.
- Reflect on how your actions online may affect others or your safety. For example, why might someone by asking you to share personal information or images of yourself or others? Is it risky to share this info with them?
- Protect yourself and others by telling a trusted adult what's happened, taking screenshots, reporting the person to the media platform and eSafety, and blocking them so they can’t contact you anymore.
Visit eSafety.gov.au to find out more on how to stay safe online and report cyberbullying.
Supports you can access if you might be impacted by cyber bullying
