5 Signs Your Teen Is Being Cyberbullied (And How To Help)

Your teen comes home from school, goes straight to their room, and spends hours on their phone. They seem withdrawn, anxious, and reluctant to talk about their day.

Is it normal teenage moodiness? Stress from exams? Or something more serious?

Cyberbullying doesn’t always announce itself. Unlike playground bullying, where bruises or torn clothing might signal trouble, online harassment happens in silence—behind locked screens, in group chats, and on social media platforms parents rarely see.

According to recent UK data, nearly half of teens aged 11-17 have experienced some form of online bullying. Yet many parents don’t realise it’s happening until the emotional damage is already severe.

The good news? There are warning signs—and once you know what to look for, you can step in, support your teen, and help them take back control.

What Is Cyberbullying?

Cyberbullying is when someone uses technology—social media, messaging apps, gaming platforms—to deliberately hurt, embarrass, intimidate, or harass another person.

It can take many forms:

• Hurtful messages or comments on posts, photos, or videos
• Spreading rumours or lies in group chats or public forums
• Exclusion from online groups, games, or social circles
• Sharing embarrassing photos or videos without permission
• Impersonation—creating fake accounts to damage someone’s reputation
• Threats or intimidation—direct messages designed to scare or control

Unlike face-to-face bullying, cyberbullying is:

• 24/7—it follows your teen home, into their bedroom, even on holiday
• Permanent—screenshots, posts, and messages can resurface years later
• Public—shared with hundreds or thousands of people instantly
• Anonymous—bullies can hide behind fake accounts, making them bolder and crueller

This is why cyberbullying often feels more overwhelming than traditional bullying. There’s no escape.

5 Warning Signs Your Teen Is Being Cyberbullied

1. Sudden Changes in Device Use

What to watch for:

• Avoiding their phone, tablet, or computer (when they used to be glued to it)
• Becoming visibly upset, anxious, or angry after checking messages or social media
• Deleting apps, accounts, or social media profiles without explanation
• Hiding their screen when you walk by

Why it happens: Teens being bullied online often withdraw from the platforms where the abuse is happening. If your teen suddenly stops using an app they loved—or becomes secretive about their screen—something may be wrong.

What to do: Ask gently: “I’ve noticed you’re not using Instagram as much. Everything okay?”

Avoid accusations or interrogations. Keep the tone curious, not confrontational.

2. Withdrawal from Friends and Activities

What to watch for:

• Avoiding social events, school clubs, or group activities they used to enjoy
• Spending more time alone in their room
• Losing interest in hobbies, sports, or friendships
• Making excuses to avoid going to school

Why it happens: Cyberbullying often spills into real life. Teens who are bullied online may feel humiliated, excluded, or anxious about facing their peers in person.

What to do: Check in regularly: “You’ve been missing football practice lately. Want to talk about it?”

Listen without judgment. Sometimes teens need space to process before they’re ready to open up.

3. Emotional Changes—Anxiety, Sadness, or Anger

What to watch for:

• Frequent mood swings—irritability, tearfulness, or outbursts
• Signs of anxiety—trouble sleeping, loss of appetite, stomach aches, headaches
• Low self-esteem—negative self-talk, withdrawal, or comments like “nobody likes me”
• Emotional reactions after being online (crying, slamming doors, shutting down)

Why it happens: Cyberbullying attacks a teen’s sense of identity and self-worth. Constant harassment, exclusion, or public humiliation takes a serious emotional toll.

What to do: Acknowledge their feelings: “I can see something’s really bothering you. I’m here when you’re ready to talk.”

Don’t dismiss it as “just online drama.” To your teen, it’s very real.

4. Declining School Performance

What to watch for:

• Sudden drop in grades or missing assignments
• Difficulty concentrating or staying focused
• Frequent absences or requests to stay home from school
• Loss of interest in school activities or friendships

Why it happens: Cyberbullying is exhausting. Teens who are harassed online often struggle to focus on schoolwork, feel too anxious to attend school, or lose motivation entirely.

What to do: Talk to teachers or school counsellors. Many schools have anti-bullying policies and safeguarding teams trained to handle cyberbullying.

Frame it as concern, not blame: “I’ve noticed [teen’s name] seems stressed lately. Has anything happened at school?”

5. Secretive or Defensive About Online Activity

What to watch for:

• Refusing to talk about their online friends or activities
• Becoming defensive when asked about social media or gaming
• Deleting messages, clearing browser history, or hiding accounts
• Creating new accounts without telling you

Why it happens: Teens being bullied may feel embarrassed, ashamed, or worried they’ll lose their devices if they tell you. They might also fear the bullying will get worse if adults intervene.

What to do: Reassure them: “I’m not going to take your phone away. I just want to make sure you’re safe. If something’s happening online, we can figure it out together.”

Build trust by responding calmly, not punitively.

How To Help Your Teen

1. Listen Without Judgment

Let your teen tell their story without interrupting, blaming, or minimising. Avoid phrases like:

• “Just ignore them.”
• “It’s not that bad.”
• “Why didn’t you tell me sooner?”

Instead, say:

• “Thank you for telling me. That sounds really tough.”
• “You didn’t deserve this. It’s not your fault.”
• “We’ll figure this out together.”

2. Document the Evidence

Take screenshots of messages, posts, comments, or photos. Save them in a secure folder—this evidence may be needed for school reports, platform complaints, or police investigations.

Don’t delete the content yet—even if it’s upsetting. Evidence is critical.

3. Block and Report

Most platforms have tools to block bullies and report harmful content:

• Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat: Report bullying via in-app tools
• Gaming platforms (Roblox, Fortnite, Discord): Report abusive players
• WhatsApp, Messenger: Block contacts and report to platform moderators

Blocking stops the immediate harassment. Reporting alerts the platform to take action (account suspension, content removal).

4. Involve the School

If the bully attends the same school, contact the safeguarding lead or head teacher. UK schools are legally required to address bullying—including cyberbullying—under the Education Act 2011.

Provide evidence (screenshots) and request a meeting to discuss next steps.

5. Contact Authorities if Necessary

If the bullying involves:

• Threats of violence
• Sexual harassment or explicit images
• Hate speech or discrimination
• Persistent, severe harassment

Report it to the police. Cyberbullying can be a criminal offence under UK law (Protection from Harassment Act 1997, Malicious Communications Act 1988).

You can also report to CEOP (Child Exploitation and Online Protection): www.ceop.police.uk

6. Support Their Mental Health

Cyberbullying can cause anxiety, depression, and even suicidal thoughts. If your teen is struggling:

• Talk to your GP about counselling or therapy
• Contact Childline (0800 1111) for free, confidential support
• Use school counselling services if available

Mental health support is just as important as stopping the bullying itself.

Teach Your Teen to Protect Themselves

The best defence against cyberbullying is knowledge and preparation.

Think Before You Tap teaches 11-16 year olds how to:

• Recognise the difference between banter and bullying
• Respond safely to online harassment
• Use blocking, reporting, and privacy tools effectively
• Protect their mental health and seek support when needed

The book includes real-world examples, reflection exercises, and step-by-step safety strategies—without lectures or scare tactics.

Get your copy on Amazon or read free with Kindle Unlimited.

Free teaching resources for schools and youth organisations available at netneo.co.uk.

Final Thoughts

Cyberbullying is devastating—but you can help.

By learning the warning signs, staying engaged with your teen’s online life, and responding with empathy and action, you can help them navigate harassment, rebuild their confidence, and take back control.

Your teen needs to know:

• It’s not their fault
• They’re not alone
• You’re on their side

Start the conversation today. It could make all the difference.