Cyberbullying behaviours
Cyberbullying is when someone uses technology to bully a person or group with the intent to hurt them socially, psychologically or even physically.
Common cyberbullying behaviours include:
- posting, sending or sharing hurtful, mean or threatening messages repeatedly via social media and online messaging
- spreading rumours or sharing gossip online to hurt someone’s reputation
- sharing lies or embarrassing information about someone
- sharing personal or private images without consent
- posting personal and sensitive information without permission (known as doxxing)
- impersonating someone online to damage their reputation
- stalking someone across online platforms to intimidate, harass or threaten them
- deliberately excluding someone from an online group or group chat
- setting up websites or online groups that are hostile or promote hatred towards a specific person or group of people
- having aggressive and argumentative exchanges with someone to provoke a reaction (known as flaming)
- repeatedly sending someone threatening or mean messages.1
Cyberbullying behaviour can also include:
- hacking online accounts
- creating fake profiles to manipulate someone
- threatening to reveal embarrassing or harmful information unless certain demands are met (blackmail)
- sharing explicit images or videos of someone without their consent (known as revenge porn)
- creating and sharing deepfake (AI) images, audio and/or videos to humiliate someone.
Cyberbullying is not limited to the behaviours listed here. Any online behaviour intended to threaten, hurt or humiliate can be cyberbullying.
Seeking help
The Respond section of this website outlines the practical steps that teachers, parents and carers can take when a student is cyberbullied. It also offers information about how to help and support children and young people involved in or experiencing cyberbullying.
There are support organisations that can help, including the eSafety Commissioner, Australia’s independent regulator for online safety. The eSafety Commissioner has the power to order online service providers to remove abusive material from their platforms, and offers cyberbullying resources, information and guidance.
- Sae-Koew, J., Gonsalkorale, K., & Cross, D. (2024). Protecting children and adolescents from cyberbullying: An evidence review of risk and protective factors and effective interventions.