Cyberbullying on Social Media

Almost every child and teenager has a social media account, but it isn’t always fun and games. Cyberbullying on social media is rampant, and many kids fall victim to threatening texts, embarrassing photos, and fast-spreading rumors.

While it’s not uncommon, cyberbullying can have lasting effects on a person’s physical and emotional health. In this article, we’ll explore some statistics of cyberbullying, how to tell if your child is being cyberbullied, and who is at risk of cyberbullying.

What is Cyberbullying?

Cyberbullying involves using electronic communication and digital technologies to bully a person. This can include posting or sharing hurtful content, spreading false information, or engaging in other online behaviors intended to embarrass the target.

For example, a cyberbully might publish a mean comment on someone’s photo targeting their appearance or making fun of their caption. A cyberbully might also send threatening text messages (“If you go to school tomorrow, you’ll regret it.”).

Related: Helping Kids Deal with Bullies

Cyberbullying on Social Media Statistics

Cyberbullying most commonly occurs on social media and digital platforms like [*, *]:

• Facebook (60.4%)
  
• Email (47%)
  
• Other social media platforms (31.5%)
  
• Text messaging (25.7%)
  
• Blogs and chat rooms (25%)

Of the participants from the BMC Psychiatry study, 20% considered leaving their schools because of cyberbullying, and 19.7% considered getting off social media.

According to the Annapolis Police Department, 58% of kids admit others have said hurtful things to them online, with 4 out of 10 children claiming this has happened more than once [*]. In addition, girls are twice as likely as boys to become victims of cyberbullying.

Related: How Does Social Media Affect Mental Health?

Who is at Risk for Cyberbullying on Social Media?

Some children are more at risk of getting cyberbullied than others. For instance, individuals identifying as LGBTQ+ often get cyberbullied through derogatory comments and hate speech.

Racial and ethnic minorities are also often targeted by cyber bullies. They frequently hear racial slurs or become ostracized by their peers.

Compared to men and boys, women and girls are also likelier targets for cyberbullying. They often experience targeted abuse and receive misogynistic comments online.

Related: How Social Media Contributes to Low Self-Esteem

What are the Negative Effects of Cyberbullying?

Cyberbullying can have long-lasting effects on children and teenagers. It can cause lasting harmful effects on a person’s physical and mental health, and many victims feel unsafe. Victims might also feel ashamed, anxious, depressed, and have low self-esteem.

Physically, children might experience sleep disturbances like nightmares or somatic symptoms like headaches and stomachaches.

Victims might struggle to concentrate or complete tasks in a school setting, neglect school work, or produce lower grades.

Socially, a child who is cyberbullied might become socially withdrawn or struggle to trust new friends. They might also use their phones less, which could indicate that they’re receiving threatening messages from others.

Children who are severely cyberbullied might also express suicidal thoughts [*]. Negative experiences on social media have a particularly significant impact on teenagers. A study found that children who were cyberbullied have made twice as many suicide attempts from 2008 to 2018 [*].

What are Examples of Social Media Cyberbullying?

Social media cyberbullying can take many forms, including the following:

• Sending repetitive, harassing messages threatening or insulting someone 
  
• Posting derogatory comments about someone publicly
  
• Excluding someone from group chats to make them feel left out
  
• Creating fake accounts to pose as someone and mislead others
  
• Sharing someone’s personal information, such as their home address (doxxing)
  
• Stalking someone by tracking their online activities constantly
  

Related: How Does Social Media Affect Teens?

How Can I Tell If My Child is Being Cyberbullied on Social Media?

Some children who are cyberbullied may feel self-conscious about their experiences and choose not to share them with their parents. It can make a significant difference to pay attention to the signs of cyberbullying, as early intervention is the best solution.

Signs your child might be the victim of a cyberbully include the following:

• Hiding their phone or other devices when you’re around
  
• Feeling nervous and jumpy when they receive a text or instant message
  
• Not wanting to attend school 
  
• Suddenly disconnecting from friends or rejecting social invites
  
• Experiencing mood swings or unusual irritability, especially when you bring up their friends
  
• “Holing up” in their room for long periods or refusing to come out when called
  

How to Protect Your Child from Cyberbullying on Social Media

Parents cannot entirely prevent cyberbullying on social media, but they can take steps to protect their children online. Here are some things they can do.

Teach them to set healthy online boundaries

It isn’t uncommon for children and teenagers to become addicted to social media, especially when they can browse the internet without limits. Thus, it’s important to set healthy online boundaries as soon as your children can access electronics.

For example, you might disallow your child from using their phone during meals or family bonding experiences. You can also set time limits for usage or ask your child to put their phone away before bed.

A child might learn to self-regulate screen time by actively spending more time outdoors or removing distracting apps to increase their focus during school hours. Over time, they can develop a structured approach to screen use and feel more encouraged to practice self-care.

Increase digital literacy

If your child is old enough to have a social media account, teach them about cyberbullying. Give them examples of cyberbullying and teach them how to use privacy settings.

You can give your child scenarios and ask how they might respond to certain situations. Teach them how to report inappropriate comments or messages.

Help them cope with cyberbullying

Many times, children can’t cope with the effects of cyberbullying alone. You can help a child cope with cyberbullying by encouraging them to maintain privacy online and to think before they post certain types of media.

Furthermore, you can emphasize the importance of reporting cyberbullying through the proper channels. Normalize asking for help from a parent, teacher, or trusted adult.

Monitor changes in behavior

Remember, not every child will feel comfortable sharing their experiences with cyberbullying with their parents. Thus, you should observe any changes in normal behavior, such as acting withdrawn or seeming depressive.

Seek professional help

Cyberbullying can be just as bad as in-person bullying. The adverse effects can be drastic and devastating without intervention. If your child is in persistent emotional distress or expresses suicidal thoughts, it might be time to seek professional help.

A mental health professional can provide your child with specialized support and help them develop tailored coping strategies. They also provide your child with a safe and confidential space to express their feelings and concerns.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is cyberbullying punishable by law?

While there is no federal law specific to cyberbullying, it is a crime in most states. Depending on the nature of the bullying, criminal lawyers can prosecute cyberbullies. For instance, in California, Penal Code 653.2 can charge cyberbullying as a misdemeanor, punishable by up to a year in jail and/or a $1,000 fine [*].

Of course, legal definitions of cyberbullying may vary across regions, and sanctions may also differ. However, common instances in which cyberbullying can be punishable by law include:

• Credible threats of violence or harassment that disrupt a person’s daily life
  
• The spread of false information, causing defamation of a person’s character
  
• Hate crimes targeting minority groups
  

How do social media companies handle allegations of cyberbullying?

Most social media companies have a structured process for managing cyberbullying allegations. At the most basic level, users can report instances of cyberbullying through report buttons or help centers. They can then categorize these instances into types like harassment, hate speech, misinformation, or stalking so moderators can prioritize cases by severity.

Some social media companies can also automatically detect potential cyberbullying through flagged keywords, context consideration, and human monitoring. If a company flags a post as cyberbullying, it may temporarily or permanently remove it. The company might suspend the user’s account if the activity is repeated.

The Bottom Line

When a child engages in a hostile online environment, they are at risk of poor emotional and psychological health. Understanding what cyberbullying looks like and what steps you can take to protect them can keep them mentally and physically safe.

If your child needs additional support, our collection of worksheets can help them develop coping tools and understand their emotions.

Sources:

1. Gassem Gohal, Alqassim A, Ebtihal Eltyeb, et al. “Prevalence and related risks of cyberbullying and its effects on adolescents.” BMC Psychiatry, 2023.
2. Rice E, Petering R, Rhoades H, et al. “Cyberbullying Perpetration and Victimization Among Middle-School Students.” American Journal of Public Health, 2015.
3. Annapolis Maryland/Annapolis Police Department. “Facts About Cyberbullying.” 2025.
4. Brailovskaia J, Teismann T, Margraf J. “Cyberbullying, positive mental health and suicide ideation/behavior.” Psychiatry Research, 2018.
5. Plemmons G, Hall M, Doupnik S, et al. “Hospitalization for Suicide Ideation or Attempt: 2008–2015.” PEDIATRICS, 2018.
6. FindLaw. “California Code, Penal Code - PEN § 653.2.” 2023.