Cyberbullying: factsheet

The national definition of bullying for Australian schools at Bullying. No Way! describes behaviour that is repeated or has the potential to be repeated. Cyberbullying is covered by this definition even when there is only a single instance of abuse, because the fact that it occurs online means it may be ‘repeated’ through sharing. 

Cyberbullying can take many forms, including posting mean comments or messages, excluding or ignoring someone, tricking or humiliating them through fake accounts, or sharing a photo or video that will make them feel bad. If someone tries to share, or threatens to share, an intimate image (such as a naked selfie) of another person without their consent, this is image-based abuse. It includes 'revenge porn' or 'sexual extortion'.

One in five young Australians aged 8 to 17 years reported being socially excluded, threatened or abused online.

Making a complaint to the social media company

Social media community standards outline how to behave on social media. They discourage the use of a service to harass or bully others or act in other ways that are anti-social or illegal. The eSafety Guide has links to help users report abusive content on a variety of services, games and apps. It also has other handy online safety information, like how a user can block someone from contacting them.

Reporting to eSafety

The Cyberbullying team at eSafety helps with the removal of cyberbullying material. Even in cases where we are unable to remove material, we can offer advice, assistance and resources. 

Research shows that students who have had an information session are more likely to report abuse. We recommend all students attend an information session explaining how to report cyberbullying.

Read more about how eSafety can help with cyberbullying or print the How to report cyberbullying poster and place around the school.

The eSafety Guide includes information to help teachers and students choose safer apps and report cyberbullying if it occurs.

Anonymous communication 

Anonymous online services allow people to communicate and share content without revealing their name or true identity. People may use a fake name or an avatar to represent them. However, not all services that claim to be anonymous are truly anonymous. Online activity and the content shared may still be traceable and recordable in some way.

Apps used for anonymous communication include: Omegle, Kik, Qooh.me.

Encryption 

Encrypted content can only be viewed by using a secret code to unscramble the data, which is usually done automatically by the software. This makes it harder to detect illegal content or conduct.

Apps that use encryption include: WhatsApp, WeChat

From Early Years to Year 2 students should build skills in:

• respectful online relationships (as part of the Health and Physical Education curriculum)
• interacting respectfully online
• identifying how emotional responses differ in online environments, for example, excitement when playing games
• blocking and reporting for safe online relationships 
• help-seeking strategies such as going to a trusted adult.

Between Years 3 to 6, students should:

• understand the nature of online identity and the range of ways that people express themselves and their emotions online
• describe the ways that technology can enhance relationships between people
• practise appropriate communication strategies to share power within relationships online
• develop digital skills to manage negative experiences; managing what they see in their feed, controlling who can contact them, balancing time spent online and reporting bullying and discrimination
• investigate support services such as eSafety and Kids Helpline.

From Years 7 to 10 students should:

• apply concepts of rights and responsibilities in making online decisions
• understand the psycho-social impacts of cyberbullying and the legislation that is used to protect young people from serious cyberbullying
• identify situations where an imbalance of power plays a role in cyberbullying incidents and practise strategies that can be put in place to deescalate or redress the power balance
• evaluate the most appropriate sources of support if they experience cyberbullying 
• offer empathetic support to someone else who has experienced cyberbullying.

Visit the Online Safety Curriculum Connection to:

• identify more content in the Australian Curriculum that supports the teaching and learning of online safety
• access a range of interdisciplinary resources developed to support the teaching and learning of online safety.

Youth and digital dangers – eSafety Commissioner

Youth and online gaming in Australia – state of play – eSafety Commissioner 

Young people and sexting – eSafety Commissioner

Spotlight on nude photo sharing: helping parents and teachers respond – eSafety Commissioner, in collaboration with SBS Learn for ‘The Hunting’ TV series