Peer violence
Cyberbullying
When peers repeatedly insult, exclude or humiliate you online, that is cyberbullying — it is not a “joke” and not a part of growing up.
What it looks like in practice
Cyberbullying most often happens in class group chats, in comments and in short videos. It is rarely a one-off: it usually repeats, and it has an audience that laughs along or shares it further.
- A group in which everyone sends abusive messages to one pupil
- Nicknames, doctored photos and memes at someone else’s expense
- Being thrown out of the class group
- Fake polls and “votes” about someone
Signs that someone is being cyberbullied
A child suffering violence online usually changes their behaviour first and says nothing. Watch for a sudden change in habits around the phone and around school.
- Suddenly avoids the phone — or, the other way round, checks it in a panic
- Does not want to go to school; headaches and stomach aches with no cause
- Loses friends and avoids any talk about social networks
- Sleeps badly, is irritable or sad
If you are the one who did the insulting
In a group it is easy to miss where the line is. If you took part in the abuse — stop, delete the content and apologise. Responsibility owned up to in time is lighter than responsibility established by the school or the police.
What you can do now
- Save the evidence before you block.
- Leave the group where the violence is happening.
- Tell your form teacher or the school psychologist.
- Report the case through this platform.
Emergency numbers
Police 122
Emergency services 112
Child helpline 116 111
