Cyberbullying is bullying that happens over phones, computers and tablets: texts, apps, social media, forums and games where people can see, join in or share content. It includes sending, posting or sharing negative, harmful, false or mean content about someone, or sharing private information to embarrass them. Some cyberbullying crosses the line into crime.
It’s common. Nearly half of U.S. teens say they’ve experienced at least one form of it.[2] Here is how to recognize it, when it becomes illegal, and what helps.
Fast Facts About Cyberbullying
- More than 1 in 6 high school students said they were bullied electronically in the past year.[3]
- 46% of U.S. teens have experienced at least one of six cyberbullying behaviors.[2]
- Girls are more likely than boys to be bullied electronically.[3]
- All states have laws requiring schools to respond to bullying, and many now include cyberbullying.[1]
- Threats of violence, sexual images of minors, and stalking or hate crimes should be reported to police.[4]
What Counts as Cyberbullying
Pew Research Center asked teens about six behaviors:[2]
| What happened | Share of teens |
|---|---|
| Called offensive names | 32% |
| False rumors spread about them | 22% |
| Sent explicit images they didn’t ask for | 17% |
| Constantly asked where they are, what they’re doing, or who they’re with, by someone other than a parent | 15% |
| Physically threatened | 10% |
| Explicit images of them shared without consent | 7% |
Other tactics include creating fake profiles to pretend to be someone else, and telling someone to harm themselves.[5]
Cyberbullying happens most often on social media, in texts and messaging apps, in direct messages, on forums, by email and in online gaming communities.[1] It can be harder on kids than in-person bullying because it is:[1]
- Persistent: it can reach a child any hour of the day, so there’s no break from it.
- Permanent: posts stay up unless they’re reported and removed.
- Hard to notice: parents and teachers often never see it happen.
How Common Is Cyberbullying?
- In the CDC’s 2023 Youth Risk Behavior Survey, an estimated 16% of high school students were electronically bullied in the previous 12 months.[1]
- Among students ages 12 to 18 who were bullied in 2022, about 21.6% were bullied online or by text, including nearly twice as many girls (27.7%) as boys (14.1%).[1]
- Older teen girls report the most: 54% of girls ages 15 to 17 have experienced at least one form, compared with 44% of boys that age.[2]
When Is Cyberbullying Illegal?
There is no federal law that applies specifically to bullying. But when bullying targets a student because of race, color, national origin, sex, disability or religion, it can overlap with harassment that schools are legally required to address under federal civil rights laws.[6]
Every state has its own approach. All states have laws requiring schools to respond to bullying, many include cyberbullying, and some state criminal codes cover bullying.[1][6] StopBullying.gov says cyberbullying should be reported to law enforcement when it involves:[4]
- Threats of violence
- Child sexual abuse material, or sending sexually explicit messages or photos
- Taking a photo or video of someone where they expect privacy
- Stalking and hate crimes
Sharing intimate images of someone without consent, including AI fakes, is also a federal crime under the Take It Down Act.[7] The Take It Down Act guide explains how to get images removed.
Signs Your Child May Be Cyberbullied
Many signs show up around a child’s device use:[8]
- A noticeable jump or drop in device use, including texting
- Strong emotional reactions to what’s on their screen
- Hiding the screen when others are near, or refusing to talk about it
- Accounts shut down, or new ones appearing
- Avoiding social situations they used to enjoy
- Becoming withdrawn or depressed
Bullying in general can also show up as headaches or stomachaches, trouble sleeping, slipping grades, not wanting to go to school, and feeling helpless. Self-harm or talk of suicide needs help right away.[9] One federal survey found that only 20% of school bullying incidents were reported. Kids stay quiet because they fear backlash, embarrassment or being judged.[9]
What to Do If Your Child Is Being Cyberbullied
StopBullying.gov recommends these steps:[4][8]
- Don’t respond and don’t forward the messages.
- Keep the evidence. Record dates, times and what happened, and save screenshots, emails and texts.
- Block the person doing it.
- Report it to the platform. Cyberbullying often violates the app’s terms of service.
- Report it to the school, especially if a classmate is involved. Some state laws cover off-campus behavior that creates a hostile environment at school.
- Report it to police if it involves threats, sexual images, stalking or hate crimes.
Throughout, support your child. Notice changes, ask questions to learn what happened and who’s involved, and show them it’s being taken seriously.[8] If your child talks about self-harm, call or text 988.[10]
How to Help Prevent Cyberbullying
StopBullying.gov’s parent guide suggests:[5]
- Talking openly about online risks and what to do when they see something wrong
- Following your child on social media, or having another trusted adult do it
- Setting screen time limits and “unplugged” zones
- Reviewing privacy and location settings together
- Setting clear rules about what’s okay to post and share
- Knowing how to report cyberbullying on the apps your child uses
Take the 2-minute Online Safety Check
Frequently Asked Questions
What is cyberbullying?
Bullying over digital devices: sending, posting or sharing harmful, false or mean content about someone, or sharing private information to embarrass them.[1]
Is cyberbullying a crime?
Some of it is. Threats of violence, sexual images of minors, photos taken where someone expects privacy, stalking and hate crimes should be reported to police. State laws vary.[4][6]
How common is cyberbullying?
More than 1 in 6 high school students were bullied electronically in the past year, and 46% of teens have experienced at least one form.[3][2]
What should I do if my child is cyberbullied?
Don’t respond, save the evidence, block the person, and report it to the platform and the school. Report it to police if it involves threats or sexual images.[4]
Can a school discipline cyberbullying that happens off campus?
Often, yes. Many states require schools to address cyberbullying, and some state laws cover off-campus behavior that creates a hostile school environment.[4]
Related Guides
- Kids online safety center
- What parents need to know about nudify apps
- Instagram scams aimed at teens
- How social media affects teens
Sources
- StopBullying.gov. (2024, October 7). What Is Cyberbullying. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
- Pew Research Center. (2022, December 15). Teens and Cyberbullying 2022.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024, October 28). About Bullying.
- StopBullying.gov. (2024, December 11). Report Cyberbullying. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
- StopBullying.gov. (2025, December 10). Parent Guide to Cyberbullying and Digital Awareness. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
- StopBullying.gov. (2023, May 17). Laws, Policies & Regulations. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
- TAKE IT DOWN Act, Pub. L. No. 119-12, 139 Stat. 55 (2025). Public Law 119-12.
- StopBullying.gov. (n.d.). Prevent Cyberbullying. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
- StopBullying.gov. (2021, November 10). Warning Signs for Bullying. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
- 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. (n.d.). 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.