Bullying, cyberbullying and cybersafety

Bullying is a misuse of power resulting in a repeated pattern of harmful verbal, physical or social behaviour.

Bullying can involve an individual or a group misusing their power over one or more people.

It can occur face to face, at a distance or using technology. Cyberbullying is bullying through the internet or mobile devices.

Cyberbullying and cybersafety

Cyberbullying uses online technology to bully an individual or group of people with the intent to cause social, psychological or physical harm.

Material can spread quickly and can include any of the following:

• abusive texts and emails
• harmful messages, images or video footage
• harmful gossip and chat
• imitation and excluding others.

It is important that children learn how to be cybersafe and to behave appropriately when using digital technology.

For information and resources on how to prevent and manage bullying, go to the Bullying. No Way! website.

For more information about cybersafety and preventing cyberbullying, go to the Australian Government's eSafety website.

Contact

If you think your child is a victim of bullying or cyberbullying, talk to your child's teacher in the first instance.