How to Report Cyberbullying

Co-authored by Scott Nelson, JD

Last Updated: July 29, 2024 References

It can be really scary if someone is bullying you or your child online. You might also be concerned that a friend is being harassed. Remember, no one has a right to make you feel uncomfortable. Put a stop to the bullying by taking some steps to end communication. Then you can make a report to law enforcement and the school. You can also report abuse to multiple social media sites. Finally, deal with the bullying by finding ways to relieve stress and feel safe.

Method 1

Method 1 of 4:

Taking Immediate Action

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1
Send a message telling the bully to stop. Make sure that the bully knows that what they have done is not appropriate. This probably won’t stop the bullying, but it will help you make your case to the authorities. Make sure to save the message.
- Keep your message simple and direct. Write, “Please do not contact me again. I will report any emails, texts, calls, messages, or posts from you.”
- Avoid profanity, name calling, or using all caps.
2
End communication with the bully after telling them to stop. Even if you’ve asked the bully to stop, you might continue to receive messages. It’s normal to be tempted to respond and stick up for yourself, but don’t. It might take some willpower, but you should refuse to engage.
- Put down your phone or walk away from your computer. Take a walk around the block to cool off, if you need to.
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Block the bully. Change the settings on your email, cell phone, and social media accounts so that the bully can’t contact you. This will make it harder for the bully to contact you. If they still find a way to reach you, you’ll know that it is definitely time to talk to the authorities.
4
Make copies of contacts from the bully. Do not delete messages or posts in hopes that the bullying will just stop. Instead, collect the evidence to use when you make a report to the authorities. If you have a printer, make copies of all emails, messages, and posts.
- Take screenshots of all electronic communications from the bully. Save them in a file on your computer or phone.

Method 2

Method 2 of 4:

Making a Report to Law Enforcement or a School

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1
File a police report if you feel you are in danger. Assuming the issue isn't immediately pressing, call the non-emergency number of your local police station. State that you would like to make a report about cyberbullying. The precinct will either ask you to come in to file a report or possibly send an officer to your home. Be prepared to provide all of your personal information, such as name, address, and phone number. Contact the police if you or your child have received or experienced: ^{[1]
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Trustworthy Source

StopBullying.gov
Website run by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services providing information related to identifying and preventing bullying

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- Threats of violence or bodily harm.
- Sexually explicit messages or photos, or child pornography.
- Stalking or hate crimes.
- Pictures of yourself in a place where you should expect privacy, such as your home.
EXPERT TIP

Scott Nelson, JD
Police Sergeant, Mountain View Police Department
Scott Nelson is a Police Sergeant with the Mountain View Police Department in California. He is also a practicing attorney for Goyette & Associates, Inc. where he represents public employees with a myriad of labor issues throughout the state. He has over 15 years of experience in law enforcement and specializes in digital forensics. Scott has received extensive training through the National Computer Forensics Institute and holds forensic certifications from Cellbrite, Blackbag, Axiom Forensics, and others. He earned a Master of Business Administration from the California State University Stanislaus and a Juris Doctorate from the Laurence Drivon School of Law.

Scott Nelson, JD
Police Sergeant, Mountain View Police Department

Our Expert Agrees: If you aren't sure who you should contact about online bullying, you can call your local law enforcement agency's non-emergency number. They can correctly direct you to the correct resources to report harassment online.
2
Make a complaint online if the bullying was not violent or sexual. In some cases, you might be able to simply fill out an online form. Depending on where you live, the government might have a website that you can use to make a report. For example, in Australia, you can simply visit esafety.gov.au and click “Make Your Complaint.” ^{[2]
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- You’ll be asked to provide your personal information and an account of the incident.
3
Contact the school so that they can enforce their policies. Officials at the school need to know about the bullying because cyberbullying is often related to in-person bullying. Both types of bullying can create a disruptive atmosphere at school. In the U.S., many states have laws that require schools to address cyberbullying.^{[3]
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Trustworthy Source

StopBullying.gov
Website run by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services providing information related to identifying and preventing bullying

Go to source}
- Reach out to the principal, counselor, or a favorite teacher via email or phone. Request a meeting to discuss cyberbullying.
When you make your report, make sure that you have your copies of the communications ready to go. If you are making a report in person, take your copies with you to the meeting. If you are making a report online, you can send electronic copies.^{[4]
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Method 3

Method 3 of 4:

Reporting Abuse to Social Media Sites

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1
Send an electronic message to report bullying during online games. Cyberbullying can occur when you’re playing video games. Depending on what game you are playing, you can make a report to the gaming company. The company can investigate the activities of the player in question.^{[5]
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- For example, if you are playing Call of Duty or Destiny, you can email report@infinityward.com or send a Tweet to @IWEnforcers.
2
Report abuse on Facebook. If you are being bullied on Facebook, there are simple actions you can take to let the company know. If you want to report a Profile, click … in the bottom right corner of the cover photo. Select Report and follow the on-screen instructions.^{[6]
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- To report a Post, click the V-shaped icon in the top right of the post. Click Report Post or Report Photo.
3
Contact Twitter if someone is bullying you via tweets or direct messages. Find the Tweet(s) that you want to report and click on the V-shaped icon. Select Report and then It’s Abusive or Harmful. You’ll be prompted to answer some questions about the post. You might then be asked to send other Tweets from the account in question.^{[7]
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- After you’ve filed the report, Twitter will offer recommendations on further actions to take.
4
Tell Instagram about abuse if someone is bullying you in the comments or direct message. To report a post from an IOS system, tap … above the post. For Android users, tap the three vertical dots. Tap Report and follow the instructions that appear.^{[8]
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- When you make a report, your information will not be shared with the person you are reporting.

Method 4

Method 4 of 4:

Dealing With Cyberbullying

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1
Identify cyberbullying. Cyberbullying is a form of bullying where the bully uses social media, text messages, and email to insult, humiliate, and even threaten their target. Cyberbullies may post negative comments about a person on social media, share humiliating photos via email, text, or social media, or harass the person directly.^{[9]
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Trustworthy Source

StopBullying.gov
Website run by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services providing information related to identifying and preventing bullying

Go to source}
- If you suspect that you or someone you know may be the victim of cyberbullying, tell someone who can help. Talk to a teacher, a parent, or school counselor.
2
Spot the warning signs. If you suspect that someone close to you is being cyberbullied, it’s important to know some common red flags. Be on the lookout for behavior such as:
- Being secretive about online activity.
- Acting nervous when receiving texts, IMs, or emails.
- Changes in mood, such as acting withdrawn or depressed.
If you’ve been the victim of bullying, you’re probably experiencing a range of emotions from anger to anxiety. Make sure to lean on people that you can trust. Ask your mom if you can talk to her, or tell your best friend what is going on. If you need help, turn to a trusted adult such as a teacher or family member.
4
Call a help line. You might feel uncomfortable talking to someone you know about what’s been going on. You can always turn to an anonymous helpline. For example, if you live in the United States or Canada and are worried that you might hurt yourself, you can call or text 988 to reach a suicide crisis helpline.
- LGBTQ youth are at a higher risk for cyberbullying. If you are being bullied because of your sexuality, call 1-866-4-U-TREVOR (488-7386).
5
Look into organizations that are fighting cyberbullying. There are organizations that are working to combat cyberbullying. You can visit their websites for resources and information on cyberbullying. Some of these organizations include:
- Teens Against Bullying: https://www.pacerteensagainstbullying.org/experiencing-bullying/cyber-bullying/
- Stop Cyberbullying: https://www.stopcyberbullying.org/what_is_cyberbullying_exactly.html
- Stop Bullying: https://www.stopbullying.gov/cyberbullying/what-is-it/index.html
If you’ve been bullied, you’re probably feeling pretty stressed. Help yourself feel better by doing something fun. You could ask a friend to go see a movie, or you could take your dog on a long walk. Anything that will put a smile on your face is a good idea.

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Tips

Take some time to unplug from technology. It will help release stress.

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Ask someone you trust to go with you to make a report.

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Only friend people you know in person! Ignore strangers and block them or change your privacy settings.

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