Mobiles and bullying – tips for kids
Mobiles and Bullying – What You Can Do
Introduction
Your phone or device can be an amazing tool for staying in touch, sharing ideas, and having fun. But sometimes it can also be used to hurt people through mean messages, rumours, or harassment. That’s called cyberbullying. You deserve to feel safe online, and there is help. Below are tips and support for what you can do if you face bullying through your mobile.
1. What Is Cyberbullying on Mobile Phones?
Cyberbullying is when someone uses phones, apps, messages, or social media to say or share things that hurt, embarrass, threaten, or humiliate you. It can happen in many ways:
Messages, chat, voice notes that are insulting or threatening
Posts, comments, memes, or images that aim to shame
Group chat exclusion, gossip, or spreading rumours
Creating fake or impersonation accounts
Sharing private or embarrassing images, screenshotting, or forwarding messages
Deepfake or manipulated images (someone editing images to harm your reputation)
Even if a message is deleted or sent by someone you don’t know, it can still hurt you.
2. What To Do Right Now (Short-Term Steps)
If something happens that feels like bullying, here’s what you can try immediately:
Don’t respond (yet).
Responding right away can sometimes escalate things. Let emotions cool before you decide what to do.
Save evidence.
Screenshot messages, comments, or posts. Note dates, times, usernames, and where it was posted. This helps later when reporting.
- See how to collect evidence properly: eSafety “How to collect evidence”
Block, mute, or unfriend.
Use your device or the app’s settings to stop the person from contacting you further.
Tell someone you trust.
You don’t have to face this alone. Talk with a parent, caregiver, teacher, counsellor, or friend. Let them help you figure out next steps.
Report through the app or service.
Most social media or messaging services have reporting tools to flag abusive content or accounts. After reporting, the platform might remove content or take actions.
- For example, to report on Snapchat: press and hold the snap or user name and follow the prompts.
3. Taking Stronger Steps (If It Persists)
If the bullying continues or gets worse, consider:
Review your privacy and settings.
Set your profile to private, restrict who can message or comment, and limit who sees posts or photos.
Limit where you engage.
If a particular app or chat is a source of harm, consider leaving the group, mute notifications, or reduce your time there.
Ask the school or organization for help.
If the people bullying you are classmates or related to your school, let school staff or counsellors know what’s happening. They may intervene or mediate.
Plan for serious escalation.
If the bullying includes threats, repeated harassment, revealing private images, or impersonation, it might be a legal issue. You (or your trusted adult) can escalate it.
4. When It Becomes Serious: Legal, Reporting & Safety
Some forms of bullying are more than just unkind — they may be against the law or fall under Australian online safety regulations. Here’s what you should know:
What eSafety can help with
The eSafety Commissioner handles complaints of cyberbullying of children, image-based abuse, and serious online harm. You can report harmful content or behaviour here: eSafety – Report online harm.
Before eSafety can investigate cyberbullying, the content usually must have been reported to the app/platform first. See more information at the eSafety Commissioner website.
What counts as serious cyberbullying
To be considered for eSafety’s investigation, behaviour must be seriously threatening, harassing, humiliating, or intimidating and pose harm to your mental or physical health.
What to do when reporting
Use eSafety’s report forms for cyberbullying, image-based abuse, or illegal content.
Provide your collected evidence (screenshots, links, usernames).
If immediate harm is involved (threats to your safety), contact police (000 in Australia).
Understand that eSafety may not be able to investigate every case, but reports still help them build their oversight.
5. Supporting Others / What To Do if a Friend Is Being Bullied
If someone you care about is being bullied:
Listen and believe them. Let them know they are not alone.
Help them save evidence and report it.
Don’t forward or engage with harmful content — that could spread or escalate it.
If it’s serious, encourage them to let a trusted adult or authority know.
6. What to Do Next: Quick Checklist
| Step | Action |
|---|---|
| 1 | Save screenshots, chat logs, and record details (who, when, where) |
| 2 | Block, mute or remove the person from your contacts or groups |
| 3 | Tell someone you trust — you don’t have to handle this alone |
| 4 | Report via the app / platform’s tools |
| 5 | If necessary, report to eSafety (or in urgent cases, contact police) |
7. Helpful Resources & Where to Go for Support
eSafety – Report online harm: https://www.esafety.gov.au/report eSafety Commissioner
eSafety – Cyberbullying & Advice: https://www.esafety.gov.au/key-topics/cyberbullying eSafety Commissioner
eSafety – Reporting forms: https://www.esafety.gov.au/report/forms eSafety Commissioner
How to report abuse on Snapchat: eSafety guide on Snapchat reporting eSafety Commissioner
Kids Helpline: 1800 55 1800 (free, 24/7 support)
School counselling / local youth services