Explore practical ways to prevent and address cyberbullying

07/01/26

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The rise of the internet across the globe has also triggered an increase in cyberbullying. Cyberbullying is rising globally due to increased internet an

What is cyberbullying?

Easy access to digital devices and platforms allows children to spend more time online, where peer pressure and the desire for social acceptance can lead to bullying behaviours. Advanced technologies like AI enable harassment through deepfakes, voice cloning, and fake images, making cyberbullying more harmful and harder to detect. The COVID-19 pandemic increased online interaction but decreased parental supervision, further exposing children to cyberbullying risks. Lack of awareness about online risks and legal consequences also contributes to the rise, as does socio-economic disparity affecting vulnerability and response capacity.

While cyberbullying awareness is rising, most schools and institutions treat cyberbullying as they treated playground fights a generation ago: wait for a victim to complain, summon both parties, issue warnings, and move on. Digital abuse leaves evidence but operates at scale—one rumour reaches 200 classmates in minutes. Therefore, when we answer ‘What is cyberbullying?’, we must ensure that our definitions are in line with 21st-century digital realities.

Parents, the first line of defence, need autonomy with accountability. The instinct to confiscate devices or ban social media altogether is understandable but counterproductive—it isolates the child and signals that adults cannot solve digital problems, only flee them. Instead, here are some practical ways to prevent and address cyberbullying.

Across schools, companies, and communities, several clear insights have emerged and are shaping cyberbullying awareness.

• Education before enforcement. Programs that start by building empathy see higher participation and more sustained change.
• Peers help more than rules. Student-led initiatives, where children teach each other, last longer than lectures.
• AI needs human sense. Machines miss nuance; trained moderators bring cultural understanding.
• Timing shapes trust. Quick responses make victims feel seen. Delayed ones deepen silence.
• Local context matters. The same rulebook doesn’t fit every culture. Language, humour, and norms differ — responses should too.

Each point circles back to a central idea: prevention is a shared discipline. When behaviour, capability, and data evolve together, systems become stronger and safer.

How to prevent cyberbullying

1.Practice safety the way one practices fire drills

Benchmarking helps: Nordic countries encourage “media mentors”—older teens trained to counsel younger ones on digital choices. Peer-to-peer accountability often lands where adult lectures bounce off. Schools need coordinators with mandates and metrics. Platforms need response actions tied to penalties. Parents need scripts and tools, not panic or abdication of responsibility. We have tried outrage, bans, and lectures. It is high time we tried institutions. Trust the young to navigate online, but verify that when cruelty strikes, someone responds – swiftly, fairly, and with consequences that teach rather than merely punish.

2.Equipping people and systems

Another crucial layer is capability — what people and systems can actually do when things go wrong. For individuals, that means practical know-how: how to block, report, or save evidence. Many victims don’t act because they fear making it worse or because they don’t know the process. Schools can turn this into digital “first aid” sessions that every student attends. Parents need a similar toolkit. Knowing how to take screenshots or reach cybercrime helplines makes a difference when a child comes to them in distress.

3.Measuring progress

Improvement is easier to track when the right questions are asked.

1. Coverage: How many people are actually protected? Count schools involved, students trained, or languages supported.
2. Quality: Are interventions working? Track reductions in repeat cases or accuracy of automated flags.
3. Speed: How long does it take to act? Measure the time between report and resolution.

Bal Raksha Bharat tackles cyberbullying and online safety comprehensively by raising awareness among children, parents, and educators about the risks of digital abuse and the importance of safe internet practices. They conduct workshops and training sessions in schools to build digital literacy, empowering children to recognise and respond to cyberbullying, grooming, and online exploitation. The NGO provides counselling services and operates helplines to assist victims, offering emotional support and guidance on reporting incidents to authorities.

Bal Raksha Bharat also collaborates with government bodies and tech platforms to advocate for stronger child protection policies and legal frameworks that address online crimes. Their efforts include developing educational resources and child-friendly reporting mechanisms, aimed at creating a safer digital environment for children. This multi-layered approach helps build resilience in children and communities while influencing systemic change in online child protection.

Naveen Kumar

“Naveen is an SEO expert and digital marketing analyst at Bal Raksha Bharat with a passion for helping businesses grow online. With a data-driven approach, he specializes in boosting search rankings, driving traffic, and optimizing digital strategies. Follow for tips on SEO, content, and marketing trends."