Breaking the Cycle of Online Bullying

14 October 2026 | Blog | By: CIG Communications

Bullying can happen in person and online, including in games, group chats and social media. Hurtful messages, rumours, embarrassing posts and deliberately targeting someone can cause real distress, especially when others join in or keep sharing the content. 

Online bullying can affect how you feel and behave. You might feel upset or ashamed, have trouble sleeping or find yourself wanting to withdraw from friends, family or school. These can be signs that what is happening online is affecting you. 

Whether it is happening to you, someone you know or you are worried about your own behaviour, there are steps you can take. 

 

If You Are Being Bullied Online 

  • You Are Not Alone: Bullying can make you feel isolated or singled out, but you do not have to deal with it by yourself. Speaking to a parent or another trusted adult is an important first step towards getting help and stopping the bullying. 

  • It Is Not Your Fault: Being bullied is not your fault, and you do not deserve to be treated that way. You do not have to reply or get back at the person. Step away from the conversation and tell a parent, caregiver, teacher, school counsellor or another adult you trust. 

 

Ask them to help you: 

  • Keep a record of what happened, such as messages, account names, dates and screenshots. 

  • Report the bullying through the game, app or website. 

  • Mute or block the account. 

  • Check your privacy settings and who can contact you. 

 

Do not stay in a harmful conversation just to collect evidence. If the content includes nude or sexual images, do not copy or forward them. Ask a trusted adult or police how to report them safely. 

You do not need to wait for something to happen repeatedly before asking for help. A single threat or harmful post can still be serious. 

 

If You See Someone Else Being Bullied 

You can help without joining an argument or putting yourself at risk. Check in with the person privately. You could say: “I saw what happened. Are you okay? Do you want help telling someone?” 

Report the content and tell a trusted adult if you are worried. Do not promise to keep it secret if someone may be unsafe. 

If you feel safe speaking up, keep it calm and brief. You could say: “That is hurtful. Please stop.” You do not have to confront the person to support someone else. 

 

Do Not Join In 

Sharing, reposting, liking or adding a laughing reaction to hurtful content can encourage the behaviour and spread it further. 

Do not pass it on, even if your friends are doing it or calling it a joke. Do not join a group chat created to target or embarrass someone. You can choose to stop the harm from spreading. 

 

Think About Your Own Behaviour 

Something you think is funny may hurt someone else. Before posting or commenting, consider how it might affect them. Do not use games, group chats or social media to threaten, humiliate, spread rumours or encourage others to target someone. 

If someone tells you that your behaviour is upsetting them, listen and stop. If you have posted something hurtful, remove it where possible and ask others not to share it. You can apologise without making excuses or demanding forgiveness. Give the person space and ask a trusted adult to help you put things right. 

 

Get Help 

Tell a trusted adult if online bullying makes you feel worried, upset or unsafe. If the first adult you tell does not help, tell another. 

If it involves people from your school, tell a teacher or school counsellor, even if it happened outside school hours. 

Threats, blackmail or other suspected criminal activity should be reported to RCIPS with help from a trusted adult. If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 9-1-1. 

You deserve support. Asking for help is a step towards making things safer.

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