CyberAwareUK
Cyberbullying & Harmful Content
Bullying, misinformation, violent content, hate, eating-disorder content and self-harm material — how to respond, save evidence safely, and get support.
Please do not upload, email or paste suspected child sexual abuse material to this site. Report it directly to the IWF, CEOP or police instead.
1. What it is
Cyberbullying is bullying that happens online — messages, posts, group chats, or fake accounts set up to humiliate. Harmful content includes misinformation, violent content, hate, eating-disorder content and self-harm material. The NSPCC provides guidance on bullying, sexting, fake news and self-harm content. If a child sees or experiences any of this, the response is the same: don't engage, save evidence, block, report, and get support.
2. Warning signs (five to watch)
- Suddenly not wanting to go to school or open their phone.
- Deleting apps or accounts, or starting fresh ones in secret.
- Withdrawn, anxious, or angry after being online.
- Changes in sleep or eating, or reluctance to talk about their day.
- Fake accounts using their name or photos.
3. What a child can do
- Don't reply — bullies feed on reaction.
- Block and report the account on the platform.
- Save evidence without re-reading it — screenshot once, then put it away.
- Tell a trusted adult or a teacher — schools must act on bullying.
- Get support — Childline 0800 1111, or The Mix 0808 808 4994 (under-25s).
4. What a parent/carer can do
- Take it seriously — cyberbullying is not "just banter".
- Help save evidence safely — screenshot once, don't keep viewing harmful material.
- Report to the platform and the school — both have duties to act.
- For hate content, report to True Vision (report-it.org.uk).
- For harmful content on platforms, use Report Harmful Content (reportharmfulcontent.com).
5. Self-harm & eating-disorder content
Seeing this content is distressing and can be harmful. The child is not at fault for encountering it, and platforms have a duty to remove it. In the meantime:
- Report the content to the platform and Report Harmful Content.
- Talk — calmly, without shock or blame.
- Get urgent support — Childline 0800 1111, Papyrus HOPELINEUK 0300 102 2470 (under-35s), NHS 111, or 999 in immediate danger.
- Seek professional help via the GP — eating-disorder and self-harm support exist on the NHS.