Cyberbullying in Australia (2025 Guide) – Expert Tips for Parents & Teens

Teen girl upset by cyberbullying messages, with icons and text about online safety in Australia.

Introduction — Why Cyberbullying Matters in 2025

In 2025, cyberbullying has become one of the most pervasive digital threats facing young Australians. With 97% of Australian teens online daily and 78% active on at least three social media platforms, the opportunities for harmful online interactions have multiplied.

While technology connects us in incredible ways, it also creates spaces where cruelty, harassment, and intimidation can be amplified.

Cyberbullying doesn’t just leave emotional scars — it can lead to:

Anxiety, depression, and social withdrawal.
Declining academic performance.
Long-term trust issues and fear of online spaces.

The eSafety Commissioner’s 2024 report revealed:

1 in 5 Australian children aged 8–17 experienced cyberbullying in the past year.
Reports to eSafety increased by 42% compared to 2022.
The average age of reported victims was 13 years old.

Early 2025 figures indicate a continued rise, partly due to the surge in anonymous messaging apps, AI-generated harassment content, and deepfake abuse.

What Is Cyberbullying?

Cyberbullying involves repeated, deliberate harm inflicted via digital technologies. It’s not limited to “mean comments” — it can take multiple forms:

Harassment: Repeatedly sending offensive messages or threats.
Outing/Doxing: Sharing someone’s private information without consent.
Exclusion: Deliberately leaving someone out of online groups or chats.
Impersonation: Creating fake accounts to damage someone’s reputation.
Image-Based Abuse: Sharing intimate or manipulated images without permission.
Cyberstalking: Persistent online monitoring or harassment.

Unlike traditional bullying, cyberbullying can happen 24/7 and reach a much larger audience instantly.

Real-World Example — The Snapchat Harassment Case

In late 2024, Sophie, a Year 9 student from Sydney, began receiving hurtful messages from an anonymous Snapchat account. The bully posted edited photos of her in group chats, adding humiliating captions.

Her parents contacted the eSafety Commissioner, who issued a takedown order within 24 hours. Police later traced the account to another student in her school, and disciplinary action followed.

Lesson for Parents: Social media platforms now have stronger reporting tools, but swift action — including legal channels — is crucial in stopping the harm early.

The Psychology Behind Cyberbullying

Why do some teens engage in cyberbullying? Experts point to:

Perceived Anonymity: Bullies believe they can’t be identified.
Peer Pressure: Joining in to “fit in” with a group.
Lack of Empathy: Distance created by screens reduces emotional accountability.
Retaliation: Victims of in-person bullying becoming online aggressors.

Understanding the motivations can help parents and educators develop targeted interventions.

The Platforms Where Cyberbullying Thrives

While cyberbullying can occur anywhere online, 2025 hotspots include:

Snapchat & Instagram: Popular among teens; disappearing content and private group chats make evidence collection harder.
TikTok: Viral challenges sometimes used to target individuals.
Discord: Private servers where harassment can escalate without oversight.
WhatsApp & Messenger: Group chat exclusion, message flooding, or gossip.
Gaming Platforms (Roblox, Fortnite, etc.): Voice chat abuse and team sabotage.

In our Top 10 Online Scams Targeting Australians in 2025 guide, we discuss how scams also exploit these same platforms — the overlap means children can be exposed to both bullying and fraud.

Early 2025 Trends to Watch

Data from eSafety and ACCC show:

A rise in AI-generated harassment: Deepfake videos used to humiliate victims.
Growth of anonymous Q&A apps: Platforms like NGL (Not Gonna Lie) seeing abuse cases rise by 60%.
Cross-platform bullying: Harassment starting on one platform and spreading to others.

This makes digital literacy more important than ever — not just for teens, but for parents.

Why Parents Struggle to Spot Cyberbullying

Many parents don’t realise their child is being targeted until emotional or behavioural changes become severe. Reasons include:

Teens hiding harassment out of shame or fear.
Parents not being familiar with certain apps or slang.
Harassment happening outside school hours and on personal devices.

Parents can use our Cyber Hygiene Checklist: Are You Doing These 7 Things?to set up essential digital safety practices at home.

The Mental Health Impact of Cyberbullying

Cyberbullying is not “just online teasing.” Its effects can be severe and long-lasting, often extending well into adulthood.

According to the Australian Psychological Society (APS), victims of cyberbullying are three times more likely to experience:

Anxiety disorders
Clinical depression
Social withdrawal

A 2024 study by Headspace found:

64% of affected teens reported difficulty concentrating in school.
41% experienced sleep problems.
18% reported thoughts of self-harm.

Why the Impact Is So Severe

Permanence of content: Screenshots, videos, and posts can be saved and shared endlessly.
Audience size: Harassment can be witnessed by dozens, hundreds, or even thousands.
Inescapability: Bullying follows victims home, making it feel like there’s “no safe space.”

Signs Your Teen May Be a Victim

Parents should watch for:

Sudden withdrawal from social media or gaming.
Avoiding school or extracurricular activities.
Unexplained drops in academic performance.
Emotional outbursts after using their phone or computer.

Our article Online Safety for Kids in Australia (2025 Guide) details step-by-step actions parents can take to create a safe online environment.

Australian Laws Protecting Against Cyberbullying

Australia has strong legal protections to combat cyberbullying, with enforcement increasing in recent years.

1. Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth)

Under Section 474.17, using a carriage service (e.g., the internet, phone) to menace, harass, or cause offence is a criminal offence.

Penalty: Up to 3 years’ imprisonment.

2. Enhancing Online Safety Act 2015

This act created the eSafety Commissioner, giving them power to:

Investigate cyberbullying complaints.
Issue takedown notices to platforms within 24 hours.
Fine platforms that fail to comply.

3. State & Territory Laws

Most states also have anti-harassment and stalking laws that apply to online behaviour.

How to Report Cyberbullying in Australia

Step 1: Collect Evidence

Take screenshots of messages, posts, and usernames.
Save any links to the content.

Step 2: Report to the Platform

Use the platform’s built-in reporting tools.
Block the bully immediately.

Step 3: Report to the eSafety Commissioner

Visit eSafety.gov.au/report and submit your evidence.

Most takedowns happen within 24 hours.

Step 4: Contact Police (If Threats Are Made)

If the harassment involves threats of harm, stalking, or sexual content involving minors, call 000 or visit your local station.

Our How to Report Online Scams in Australia – Step-by-Step Guide (2025)also applies to reporting cyberbullying, as many of the processes overlap.

Case Study — The Melbourne TikTok Incident

In March 2025, a group of students in Melbourne created a TikTok account dedicated to mocking a classmate’s appearance. The victim’s parents contacted eSafety, who issued takedown notices to TikTok and notified the school. The school suspended the students, and counselling was provided.

Key Takeaways:

Immediate reporting prevents further harm.
Schools are required to take action if bullying impacts student wellbeing.
eSafety intervention works faster than many parents realise.

Prevention Strategies for Parents

Stopping cyberbullying before it starts is the most effective protection. The eSafety Commissioner recommends a 3-layer approach: communication, boundaries, and monitoring.

1. Open Communication

Have ongoing, non-judgmental conversations about online experiences.
Encourage children to share uncomfortable situations without fear of punishment.

Example Conversation Starter:

“If you see something online that makes you uncomfortable, you can always tell me — you won’t be in trouble.”

2. Set Digital Boundaries

Create a Family Online Agreement that covers device usage hours, acceptable platforms, and behaviour rules.
Keep devices out of bedrooms overnight to reduce late-night harassment exposure.

3. Educate About Privacy

Teach children:

Never share passwords (even with friends).
Use privacy settings to limit who can view their content.
Avoid oversharing personal information like school names, addresses, or schedules.

How Schools Are Tackling Cyberbullying in 2025

1. Mandatory Reporting Policies

Most Australian schools now have Zero Tolerance Policies requiring staff to investigate any cyberbullying allegations — even if they occur outside school hours.

2. Digital Citizenship Curriculum

The Australian Curriculum now includes modules on:

Respectful online communication.
Identifying scams and misinformation.
Understanding digital footprints.

3. Peer Support Programs

Programs like Peer Power in Queensland train older students to mentor younger ones about online safety and respectful behaviour.

Internal Link Opportunity: For more ways schools are promoting safe technology use, see Cyber Safety in Aussie Schools: Are Our Kids Really Protected?

Technology Tools for Prevention

1. Parental Control Apps

Family Zone – Popular in Australian schools, filters harmful content and sends activity reports.
Qustodio – Allows time limits and social media monitoring.

2. AI-based Threat Detection

Platforms like Bark use AI to detect signs of bullying, self-harm, and predatory behaviour in messages.

3. Inbuilt Safety Features

Most major platforms now have:

Keyword filters to block offensive words.
Comment approval tools for posts.

Case Study — Perth School Digital Safety Program

In 2024, a Perth high school implemented a mandatory Digital Citizenship Bootcamp for all Year 7 students. Within 6 months:

Cyberbullying incidents dropped by 46%.
Students reported feeling more confident online.

Where to Get Help in Australia

1. eSafety Commissioner

Australia’s national body for online safety.
Offers complaint forms to remove cyberbullying content targeting children.
Free webinars for parents on recognising and addressing online abuse.
📌 Website: https://www.esafety.gov.au

2. Kids Helpline (1800 55 1800)

Free, 24/7 counselling for kids and teens.
Available via phone, webchat, and email.
Counsellors are trained to handle cyberbullying trauma.

3. Beyond Blue

Mental health support for those feeling anxious or depressed due to online abuse.
24/7 phone and online chat.

4. Parentline (varies by state)

Free counselling for parents navigating cyberbullying issues.
Helps develop strategies for communication and conflict resolution.

If Your Child is the Bully

While most guides focus on protecting victims, it’s important to address when a child is the one doing the bullying.

Steps to Take:

Stay Calm — Avoid immediate punishment. Start with a conversation.
Understand the Motive — Is it retaliation, peer pressure, or seeking attention?
Set Clear Consequences — Restrict device use if behaviour continues.
Educate — Make them aware of the harm caused by their actions.
Encourage Apology & Repair — Restorative practices can rebuild trust.

Creating a Respectful Digital Culture in Australia

1. Media Literacy from Early Years

Teaching kids how to interpret online content reduces susceptibility to peer pressure and misinformation.

2. National Awareness Campaigns

Safer Internet Day in February promotes kindness and responsibility online.
Social media companies collaborate with Australian authorities to run in-app campaigns.

3. Community Involvement

Local councils run cyber safety workshops for parents and students.
Sports clubs and youth groups include online conduct in their codes of behaviour.

4. Stronger Laws & Enforcement

In 2025, the Online Safety (Bullying) Amendment Bill strengthened penalties for repeat offenders.
Schools and police now work more closely with the eSafety Commissioner to remove harmful content within 48 hours.

Real Story — From Victim to Advocate

In 2023, 15-year-old “Mia” from Adelaide was targeted by fake Instagram accounts spreading rumours. With support from her school and the eSafety Commissioner, the accounts were removed. Two years later, Mia now speaks at schools about resilience and online kindness.