Cyberbullying resources

If you would like to get help with a cyberbullying issue by speaking to someone, there are a number of telephone helplines where you can speak with a trained advisor.

• NSPCC – Advice on parental controls and social networks
• IWF – Report child sexual images to IWF
• Kidscape – For parents concerned about a child being bullied
• YoungMinds – For adults worried about child mental health
• Family lives – Bullying parenting advice

It may be helpful for your child to talk through their worries with a trained counsellor from organisations that have experience dealing with cyberbullying issues. There are a number of free services that can be accessed by phone, email and online chat.

• Childline – Any worries a child may have
• Kooth – Online qualified counsellors for children
• The Mix – Support service for young people under 25
• Papyrus – Confidential advice for suicidal feelings
• Samaritans – 24 hour helpline for those struggling to cope
• Ditch The Label – Online message boards for those aged 12-25

Across the UK, there are a number of charities and organisations that are experts in bullying and provide a great range of information, advice and help for parents and children on their websites. Some specialise in particular issues.

• Anti-Bullying Alliance – The UK alliance of bullying charities
• Anti-Bullying – Advice on anti-bullying
• Bullies Out – Resources for parents and children
• Ditch The Label – Resources particularly for children
• Cybersmile – Advice with online forum
• respectme – Scotland’s largest anti-bullying organisation
• Kidscape – Provides skills to tackle bullying and abuse
• Family Lives – Dedicated cyberbullying section

Cyberbullying will typically involve social media. You can find information here about social network sites and apps, and the safety advice offered by each of the main social media providers for children and parents.

• Facebook – Bullying & harassment resources
• X – Safety and security
• Instagram – Tips for parents
• YouTube – Policies and safety
• Snapchat – Support

Cyberbullying can sometimes happen on gaming platforms, and these sites offer specific advice for dealing with bullying issues associated with gaming.

• Ditch The Label – advice to safe online gaming
• Cybersmile – advice to safe online gaming

Should children block their bullies?

In some situations, it might be best to encourage your child to block or unfriend the person that caused them hurt, particularly if they’re an anonymous user or not known to your child. Your child might be reluctant to do this if they consider the person a ‘friend’ or they know the person from school or the local community. Revisit what it means to be a friend and talk about healthy online relationships.

And, remember that most social media platforms give you options for reporting or flagging content that breaches their user guidelines. Be aware that the thresholds for offensive content varies according to the social network, game or app.

Bullying is often suffered by children that are either unsure about their sexuality or identifying as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender.

• Stonewall – Tackling LGBT abuse online in partnership with Stonewall and Facebook
• Family Lives – Advice on homophobic bullying
• Comparitech – Preventing LGBTQ cyberbullying guide for parents and educators

Bullying is often suffered by children that have Special Education Needs and Disabilities.

• Anti-Bullying Alliance – Help for parents with children with SEND
• Kidz Aware – Supporting children with disabilities

Schools are often the first place that parents will go to talk about a cyberbullying incident. A number of organisations offer advice on how best to talk to schools and what response and action you can expect.

• Family Lives – Contacting your child’s school about bullying
• Kidscape – Preventing LGBTQ cyberbullying guide for parents and educators
• Gov.UK – Government advice to complain about a school

Thankfully, most cases of cyberbullying can be resolved without the need to involve the Police. However, if you find that this is a course of action you wish to take, the following may be helpful.

• Anti-Bullying Alliance – Information about bullying and the law
• Cybersmile – Bullying and the law, legal perspective

Should your child need extra support, counselling or mentoring to cope with a bullying issue then these organisations may be able to provide advice and services.

• YoungMinds – Services for children
• Childline – Counselling services for children
• Red Balloon – For children who self-exclude from school
• Counselling Directory – A nationwide counselling directory service
• Mental Health Foundation – How to talk about mental health with your GP
• Mind – Guide to get the right mental health support