Cyberbullies beware

Cyberbullies beware: How to protect your child from online drama, danger, and digital frenemies

Think your child hasn’t been cyberbullied? Think again.

Nearly 50% of teens say they’ve been targeted online, and 1 in 5 tweens have seen it, done it, or lived through it themselves. Kids spend more time than ever on apps, games, and social platforms, often without adult eyes anywhere near them. 

And most won’t tell you when something goes wrong.

If your child can get online, they can get bullied online.

And if they create content, stream, or earn money digitally? Their risk skyrockets.

So the real question is: What can you do about it?

Below, we break down what cyberbullying actually looks like, how it hides in plain sight, why your child might stay silent, and how you can protect them.

What exactly is cyberbullying, officially?

Cyberbullying happens anytime technology is used to harass, embarrass, threaten, or target someone.

Think: repeated unwanted messages, humiliating posts, doctored photos, aggressive DMs, or public call-outs meant to hurt.

And it’s not just happening on the platforms you worry about.

Sure, Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, Discord, and YouTube see a lot of it. But it also happens in gaming chats (even the ones designed for younger kids), group texts, livestreams, and private message threads.

If a platform allows communication, a bully can use it.

Common forms of cyberbullying (that happen way more often than you think):

• Taking screenshots, altering images, and spreading them to humiliate someone
  
  

• Posting threats, rumors, or lies publicly or privately
  
  

• Sending or sharing explicit images without consent
  
  

• Attacking someone for their body, race, gender, identity, or ability
  
  

• Repeated harassment, insults, or encouragement of self-harm
  
  

• Hate speech of any kind, which is illegal in many states

Cyberbullies hide behind screens, aliases, and throwaway accounts. That distance makes it easier for cruelty to escalate fast.

Why cyberbullying is so damaging, and so easy to miss

More than half of teens say online harassment is one of the biggest threats kids face today.

And here’s the hardest part: Cyberbullying is silent. You don’t overhear it. You don’t see the bully walking up. You don’t notice a group whispering in the hallway.

It follows kids 24/7. Even after they turn off the screen, the messages, rumors, and posts keep circulating.

The impact is real:

• Fear, anxiety, and physical symptoms like headaches and stomachaches
  
  

• A drop in confidence, grades, and social engagement
  
  

• Depression, self-harm, and dangerous declines in mental health
  
  

• Long-term damage to a child’s online reputation that can affect school, jobs, and more

Cyberbullying isn’t a phase — it’s a safety issue.

Why your child may not tell you (even if it’s really bad)

Kids often stay silent because they’re afraid of your reaction. They may worry you’ll:

• Take their device away
  
  

• Overreact and make the situation worse
  
  

• Blame them
  
  

• Get the school or police involved
  
  

• Find out they were using a secret account or app

Or they may simply feel ashamed, confused, or unsure whether the behavior “counts” as bullying. Creating a safe space where your child or teen can be honest with you is vital.

What to do next, and how to support your child effectively

When you discover your child is being cyberbullied, your instincts might scream: Hug them! Delete the apps! Call the school! Throw the phone out the window!

Take a breath. Your first job is to keep communication open. Tell your child: “I’m here. This isn’t your fault. Let’s figure it out together.”

Then consider options based on age, severity, and who’s involved:

1. Pause and create space

Stepping back from the app or device can help your child breathe and gain perspective, even if they resist at first.

2. Don’t take the bait

Responding can escalate things. Sometimes silence is power, especially when paired with consistent check-ins and monitoring.

3. Save everything

Screenshots. Snapshots. Printouts. Even disappearing messages can often be captured. Documentation matters if you eventually need to involve a school or law enforcement.

4. Report and block

Every platform has tools to report harassment. Use them. Then block the offending account. If they create a new one, repeat.

5. Loop in another adult

If the bully is someone your child knows, talk to a trusted adult: a teacher, counselor, or another parent.

Cyberbullying is scary, but your child doesn’t have to face it alone

Cyberbullying can make your child (and you) feel powerless, anxious, angry, and overwhelmed. But you’re not stuck. And you’re not on your own. We can help you take steps to safeguard your child’s online world, and help them learn how to be safe, resilient, and protected.