Reporting Cyberbullying
Cyberbullying is repeated, intentional harm caused to a child through digital devices — including social media, gaming, messaging apps, and online forums. It can involve name-calling, public humiliation, exclusion from online groups, threats, or the sharing of embarrassing content without consent. While cyberbullying is not a specific criminal offence in the UK, persistent bullying that amounts to harassment, threatening behaviour, or malicious communications can be reported to police.
Immediate danger — call 999
If a child is in immediate danger, has made threats of self-harm, or you believe they are at risk of suicide, call 999 immediately or take them to A&E.
What to report
- •Repeated abusive or threatening messages sent to a child via any platform
- •Harassment campaigns involving multiple people targeting one child
- •Sharing of embarrassing or humiliating images or videos of the child without consent
- •Exclusion from online groups combined with public mockery or abuse
- •Impersonation of the child online to cause harm to their reputation
How to report
School Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)
When to use
When the bullying involves classmates or school peers, or has spilled over from school into online spaces
How to contact
Contact the school and ask to speak to the DSL. In primary schools this may be the headteacher. Provide screenshots and evidence. Request the school's anti-bullying policy.
What to expect
The school has a legal duty to address bullying among its pupils, including cyberbullying, even when it occurs outside school hours. They can apply sanctions, involve parents of the bully, and refer to children's services if appropriate.
Platform reporting tools
When to use
On every platform where the bullying is occurring — this should be done as a first step
How to contact
Use the in-app 'Report' function on each platform: Instagram (three dots → Report), TikTok (hold on post → Report), Snapchat (hold on message → Report or Flag), YouTube (three dots → Report). Block the bully after reporting.
What to expect
Platform response times vary. Most platforms review reports within 24–72 hours. Severe cases (threats, sexual content) are usually actioned faster. Keep screenshots of your reports in case you need to escalate to Ofcom.
NSPCC Helpline
When to use
When you need advice about how to handle the situation or when the bullying is affecting a child's mental health
How to contact
Call 0808 800 5000 (free, 24/7). NSPCC advisers can help you decide whether to involve police or children's services and can provide emotional support.
What to expect
The NSPCC can refer to local agencies, provide support resources, and advise on escalation routes if school or platform reporting is not resolving the issue.
Childline
When to use
When the child themselves wants to talk to someone, or to get support from peers who have experienced bullying
How to contact
The child can call Childline on 0800 1111 (free, 24/7) or chat online at childline.org.uk. Childline is confidential.
What to expect
Childline provides emotional support and can help the child decide what they want to do. They will not contact parents without the child's consent unless there is a serious safety risk.
Police — 101 (or 999 if immediate threat)
When to use
When the bullying amounts to criminal harassment, threats to kill or cause serious harm, or involves malicious communications
How to contact
Call 101 and explain that a child is a victim of online harassment. Under the Protection from Harassment Act 1997, a course of conduct causing fear is a criminal offence.
What to expect
Police will assess whether a criminal threshold has been met. They may issue a warning to the bully or their parents, or pursue a prosecution. They will log the report and provide a reference number.
Evidence checklist
Gather this information before or during your report. Do not delay reporting while collecting evidence — but preserve what you can.
- Screenshots of all abusive messages, posts, or comments — include profile names and timestamps
- Screenshots showing dates of first and most recent incidents (to demonstrate a pattern)
- Platform names and the bully's username or account URL on each platform
- Names of any witnesses who have seen the bullying (classmates, mutual friends)
- Record of any previous reports made to the platform, including dates and platform reference numbers
- Any other affected children who are also targets (with their parents' knowledge)
What to say
You do not need to use a script, but this template may help if you are nervous about making the call. Adapt it to your circumstances.
"I am reporting ongoing cyberbullying affecting a child aged [age]. The bullying has been happening on [platform(s)] since [date] and involves [brief description — e.g. abusive messages, sharing humiliating photos, group exclusion]. The main account responsible is [username]. I have screenshots. The child attends [school name] and I have / have not already contacted the school. The bullying is having a significant impact on the child's wellbeing."
What happens next
School intervention typically involves speaking to all parties and applying the anti-bullying policy. Platform reports may result in content removal or account suspension. If police become involved, they may issue a harassment warning to the perpetrator or, in serious cases, consider prosecution. It is important to keep the child informed and supported throughout, and to monitor for any escalation.
What not to do
- ✗Do not encourage the child to retaliate online — this can escalate the situation
- ✗Do not contact the bully's parents directly without involving the school — this can inflame matters
- ✗Do not tell the child to 'just ignore it' — repeated exposure to online abuse causes real psychological harm
- ✗Do not delete evidence before reporting
- ✗Do not publicly shame the bully online, even if you are angry — this can harm your case and the child
Frequently asked questions
The school says it happened outside school and is not their responsibility
This is incorrect. The DfE's statutory guidance makes clear that schools must respond to bullying of their pupils, regardless of where it occurs, if it affects the school environment or the pupil's wellbeing. Escalate to the headteacher if the DSL is unresponsive, then to the local authority if needed.
The child doesn't want me to report — what should I do?
Listen to their concerns — children often fear things will get worse. Explain that you will involve them in decisions and won't act without discussing it with them first, where safe to do so. If you believe the child's safety is at serious risk, you can report regardless of their wishes.
Sources and further information
- NSPCC — Cyberbullying — NSPCC
- DfE — Preventing and Tackling Bullying — Department for Education
- Childline — Cyberbullying — Childline / NSPCC
This guidance is for informational purposes. It is not a substitute for emergency services or professional safeguarding support. If a child is in immediate danger, call 999 (UK) or 911 (US) now.
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Last reviewed: 2026-04-19. This page provides general educational information, not legal or professional safeguarding advice. UK helplines and legislation may change — verify current details with the relevant organisation.