Cyberbullying: What Parents Can Do

What to do first

Listen before trying to solve the problem. Let your child explain what happened in their own words and ask what they are most worried might happen next. Reassure them that telling you was the right decision.

Avoid blaming your child for using a particular app, replying to a message or sharing something they now regret. Also avoid automatically taking away their device. This can increase isolation, remove access to supportive friends and make children less likely to seek help in the future. Any temporary safety restriction should be explained and planned with the child wherever possible.

A practical cyberbullying action plan

1. Check immediate safety. Ask whether there have been threats, stalking, blackmail, physical intimidation, self-harm thoughts or plans to meet someone. If anyone is in immediate danger, call Triple Zero (000).
2. Collect safe evidence before blocking. Record dates, times, usernames, profile links, URLs and what occurred. Screenshots can help when the content is lawful to possess. Store evidence somewhere the child does not have to keep seeing it.
3. Do not save sexual images of anyone under 18. Do not screenshot, download or forward nude or sexual images or videos of a child. eSafety advises that possessing, creating or sharing this material is usually unlawful. Record the URL, username and location of the content instead, then report it through the appropriate channel.
4. Report the content to the service or platform. Use the in-app reporting process and retain the report confirmation or reference number. Reporting to the platform is generally required before eSafety can investigate serious cyberbullying involving someone under 18.
5. Block, mute and adjust privacy settings. After collecting safe evidence, help your child block or mute the account. Review who can contact them, comment, tag them, view their location or add them to groups.
6. Protect the account. Change passwords if an account may have been accessed, use a different password for each service and enable multi-factor authentication. Check recovery email addresses, logged-in devices and connected apps.
7. Keep a brief incident record. Note what was reported, to whom, when, and any response. This can help if the behaviour continues or the school, platform, eSafety or police become involved.

Encourage your child not to retaliate or repeatedly engage with the harmful account. This is a safety strategy, not a promise that the person will simply become bored or stop. Adults should continue monitoring the situation and escalate when required.

Involve your child in decisions

Children may fear that reporting will make things worse, expose private information or lead to losing access to friends. Explain each proposed step and ask what outcome they want. Depending on their age and safety, they may be able to choose which trusted adult is involved, whether the school is contacted and what information is shared.

Do not promise absolute secrecy. Explain that you will respect their privacy, but you may need to involve another safe adult or service if there is a serious risk of harm.

When should the school be involved?

Contact the school when the children involved attend the same school, the behaviour affects learning or attendance, school devices or accounts are involved, or online conduct is connected to in-person bullying. Bring a concise record and ask how the school will protect the child, investigate fairly, communicate with families and review whether the plan is working.

Even when the content was posted outside school hours, a school may be able to address its effects on student safety and participation. For broader guidance, see our parent guide to responding to bullying.

When to report to eSafety or police

The eSafety Commissioner can investigate serious cyberbullying targeting a child or young person under 18 who ordinarily lives in Australia. The content must meet the legal threshold and should first be reported to the service or platform. If the platform does not remove it, the child, their parent or guardian, or an authorised person may be able to report it to eSafety.

Contact police if there are credible threats of violence, stalking, extortion, persistent harassment, account compromise linked to criminal activity, or concern that a child is being sexually exploited. Call Triple Zero (000) when there is immediate danger. Legal outcomes depend on the facts, so avoid assuming that every instance of cyberbullying is automatically a criminal offence.

Intimate images and sexual extortion

If someone is threatening to share an intimate image, demanding money or pressuring a child to send more content, advise the child not to pay, send further images or continue negotiating. Stop contact when safe, preserve non-image evidence and report the account. Use eSafety’s reporting pathways for image-based abuse or illegal and restricted content. Police can also assist where there are threats, extortion or child sexual exploitation concerns.

Supporting your child’s wellbeing

Cyberbullying can be associated with anxiety, low mood, sleep disturbance, loneliness and difficulty concentrating, but children respond differently. Keep ordinary routines where possible and support safe contact with friends, family, sport and other valued activities. Check in regularly without making every conversation about the incident.

Seek professional support when distress is persistent, daily functioning is affected, the child is avoiding school, or you are concerned about anxiety, depression, trauma or self-harm. Ask directly about immediate safety if you are worried, and seek urgent professional help when needed.

Kids Helpline provides free, private and confidential counselling for young people aged 5 to 25, 24 hours a day, on 1800 55 1800 and online. In an emergency, call 000.

If your child has cyberbullied someone else

Take the behaviour seriously without labelling the child as a “bully”. Ask what happened, stop the harmful behaviour, preserve relevant evidence and support appropriate accountability and repair. Consider factors such as peer pressure, conflict, impulsivity, retaliation or difficulty understanding the impact. Work with the school or a psychologist when the behaviour is persistent, severe or part of wider social or emotional concerns.

Getting further support

If cyberbullying is affecting your child’s wellbeing, a psychologist can help them process what happened, rebuild a sense of safety and develop coping and communication skills. Families can book a Quirky Kid consultation, including online appointments, or explore BriteChild online psychology support from anywhere in Australia.