How Do You Report Cyberbullying: A Complete Guide

Parenting in the digital age can be overwhelming, especially when it comes to protecting your child from cyberbullying. With so many platforms, tools and channels of communication that kids use online, it’s hard to keep track. But knowledge is power—understanding how cyberbullying works and where it happens can give you the confidence to address these incidents quickly and effectively. 

In this complete guide, we’ll cover everything from recognizing signs of bullying to how do you report cyberbullying on major social media sites. We'll also provide helpful tips for addressing potential safety concerns related to cyberbullying with your child or an adult victim. By taking a few proactive steps today, you can help prevent future problems for yourself and your family down the line!

What’s cyberbullying?

Cyberbullying is the use of technology to harass, threaten, embarrass or target another person. It can include sending, posting, or sharing negative, harmful, false, or mean content about someone else. 

Cyberbullying can occur through social media platforms such as Twitter and Facebook, online gaming systems and discussion boards, or even via text messages and emails. Cyberbullying can have serious psychological impacts on its victims, and it is important for adults to identify signs of cyberbullying in order to provide help and support.

report online harassment

How can you report online harassment if it’s happening to your kid?

If a child is being cyberbullied, it's important to report it immediately. Depending on the type of platform that is being used to bully, the reporting steps may vary. Here are the most common platforms: 

1. Instagram

To report online harassment on Instagram, start by reporting the post in question. Go to the profile page of the person who made the post and click on the three dots icon in the top right corner of their post. Select "report" and then follow the instructions provided by Instagram to submit a report. 

You can also block or unfollow accounts that are participating in cyberbullying. Furthermore, you can contact Instagram directly for help related to cyberbullying by going to instagram.com/safety or emailing safety@instagram.com.

2. Facebook

To report cyberbullying on Facebook, you can click on the three dots icon in the top right corner of a post and select “report”. Follow the instructions provided by Facebook to report the post. You can also block or unfollow the person who posted it, or contact them directly to tell them to stop. 

Additionally, you can contact Facebook directly for help related to cyberbullying by going to facebook.com/safety or emailing safety@facebook.com.

3. TikTok

To report harassment on TikTok, click the “report” icon in the bottom-right corner of a video or comment. From there, select the option most closely related to cyberbullying, and then follow the instructions provided by TikTok to submit a report. 

You can also block or unfollow accounts that are participating in cyberbullying. Furthermore, you can contact TikTok directly for help related to cyberbullying by going to https://www.tiktok.com/safety/en/ 

4. Snapchat

To report online harassment on Snapchat, select the "flag" option from the drop-down menu next to a post or comment. From there, follow the instructions provided by Snapchat to submit your report. You can also block or unfollow accounts that are participating in online harassment. Furthermore, you can contact Snapchat directly for help related to online harassment by going to https://values.snap.com/

5. Online games

This depends on the game, however, generally speaking to flag any type of harassment in an online game, look for the game's reporting feature. This could be a button you can press or an option in the menu. From there, select the option most closely related to cyberbullying and follow the instructions provided by the game developers to submit your report. 

How to report cyberbullying

How to prevent cyberbullying in kids?

To prevent cyberbullying in kids, it is important to have open conversations about online safety and etiquette. Talk to your children about what cyberbullying is, why it's wrong, and how it can have lasting negative impacts. Additionally, set clear rules for their online behavior and teach them how to recognize signs of cyberbullying. 

It's also a good idea to install parental control features on the devices they use, or monitor their activity regularly. For example, Bark is a parental control software that can monitor your kiddo’s use of Snapchat, Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok, flagging content or comments that could be labeled as cyberbullying. 

Finally, encourage them to report any incidents of cyberbullying they may experience or witness and show them how they can start 

Reporting cyberbullying: Final thoughts

In today's digital age, cyberbullying has become a pervasive problem for kids and adults. While it may feel overwhelming to report instances of cyberbullying, it is crucial that we do so. Reporting cyberbullying is a critical step in protecting ourselves and others from the harmful effects of online harassment. 

By reporting cyberbullying, we are holding perpetrators accountable and sending a message that online harassment will not be tolerated. As technology continues to evolve, so must our approaches, as parents, to dealing with cyberbullying. It is important to stay informed and proactive in our efforts to combat cyberbullying and create a safer, more positive online community.

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