Online bullying

Overview

Online bullying is bullying via technology or online services or platforms, for example:

• gaming
• social media
• AI
• messaging services

Online bullying can include:

• threatening behaviour
• abuse
• harassment
• shaming
• exclusion
• impersonation
• malicious damage
• non-consensual sharing of images or videos (including those that are AI-generated)
• coercion

One of the biggest differences between online and face-to-face bullying is that online bullying can be hard to get away from. Online bullying is also unique because it:

• can reach a vast audience in a matter of seconds
• has the potential to draw in large numbers of people
• takes ‘repetition’ to a different level, with hurtful comments and images being shared multiple times
• has the potential to impact on someone at any time of day or night
• can offer a degree of anonymity to the perpetrators, which also offers opportunities for people to impersonate others

Online bullying can also be an extension of face-to-face bullying. Technology can provide an extra route to harass an individual or group. It can also be a way for someone being bullied face-to-face to retaliate. Online bullying can be carried out by:

• individuals or groups known to the person being bullied
• people the person being bullied has never met

Distinguishing bullying from other behaviours

There are distinctive elements associated with bullying. These may differ from an argument, fight or friendship fallout and can include:

• intention to cause harm through hurt or humiliation
• isolating another person or making them fearful
• direct aggression
• repeated acts of negative behaviour or acts of aggression

They can also include indirect acts such as:

• spreading rumours
• revealing private information about someone
• sharing intimate or ‘deep fake’ images

Additionally bullying can involve a perceived imbalance of power, often due to:

• age
• physical strength
• popularity
• psychological resilience

These also apply to behaviour often passed off as a joke or banter. If 2 friends of perceived equal power are in the habit of bantering with one another, it is not deemed to be bullying. However, if one person humiliates or threatens another who is powerless to stop it and made fearful by the act, this is bullying.

Recognising the signs of online bullying

Online bullying can have a devastating and long-lasting impact on the person being bullied. It can:

• affect their mental health, well-being and self-confidence
• cause loneliness and social isolation

A target of bullying may:

• become withdrawn
• appear stressed
• become anxious
• be reluctant to go to school or their usual sports and social clubs
• isolate themselves from their peers
• appear distracted
• not do so well in school or college
• avoid using technology
• lose confidence

A perpetrator may:

• close screens when someone else enters the room
• use technology constantly
• display high levels of anxiety if they cannot access technology
• avoid talking about what they are doing
• use multiple accounts or a fake account

Where to get help

If you or someone you know is struggling with bullying, you can find information about what to do and where to get help in the following sections.

Support for young people

Support for schools

Support for families

Views from the experts

Help and support