Cyberbullying in the UK: Statistics, Trends and What They Mean for Families

Cyberbullying remains one of the most commonly reported online harms affecting children and young people in the UK. According to Ofcom's Children and Parents Media Use and Attitudes Report, approximately one in five children aged 8 to 17 report having experienced some form of online bullying, harassment, or unwanted contact in the past year. Rates rise sharply during secondary school years, with children aged 11 to 13 showing the highest reported prevalence. Ditch the Label's Annual Bullying Survey consistently finds that over half of young people who have been bullied say it happened online or via their phone, and that cyberbullying is now as common as face-to-face bullying for older teenagers. Platform data reveals that Instagram, Snapchat, and TikTok are the most frequently cited platforms in cyberbullying reports from UK children, followed closely by WhatsApp and online gaming environments such as Roblox and Fortnite. The Anti-Bullying Alliance notes that the anonymous or semi-anonymous nature of many online interactions lowers the social inhibitions that might prevent bullying in person. Gaming platforms present a particular concern for boys — the real-time nature of voice chat and the competitive culture of online gaming can create conditions where insults and targeted harassment escalate rapidly. The Internet Watch Foundation has also reported a rise in image-based cyberbullying, where intimate or embarrassing images are shared without consent as a form of humiliation, particularly affecting teenage girls. Despite the prevalence of cyberbullying, reporting rates remain low. Research from the Anti-Bullying Alliance suggests that fewer than one in three children who experience cyberbullying report it to an adult. Common reasons include fear of having their devices taken away, embarrassment, not believing anything would be done, or not knowing how to report it. Children from marginalised groups — including LGBTQ+ young people and those with additional learning needs — face higher rates of online bullying and are even less likely to come forward. This underreporting means parents and professionals should treat any concerns about changes in behaviour seriously rather than waiting for a direct disclosure. The mental health impact of cyberbullying is substantial and well documented. Studies cited by the Anti-Bullying Alliance link cyberbullying to significantly elevated rates of anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem in children who experience it. Unlike traditional bullying, which typically ends when the child leaves school, cyberbullying can follow them into their home and bedroom via their devices, making it feel inescapable. The 24/7 nature of smartphones means children may be exposed to bullying content during what should be safe, restorative time. Ofcom data shows that children who experience online bullying are considerably more likely to report poor wellbeing and school disengagement. Early intervention — including open conversations at home, clear reporting routes at school, and prompt engagement with platforms when incidents occur — is associated with better outcomes for affected children.