Helping your child deal with cyberbullying

Your first reaction might be to panic and ban your child from using their phone, tablet or computer, or a particular platform or app, but experts advise that restrictive practices are not effective means for dealing with cyberbullying and can disconnect your child from their support network. Find out how you can offer your support and come up with a plan to address the issue together.

What should I do?

Visit the eSafety Commissioner’s parents and carers pages to find tips and advice to help your child.

Helping children and young people stop cyberbullying

Everybody has a role to play in helping children and young people understand what’s okay and not okay online. If your child has asked you for help with a cyberbullying situation, what should you say or do?

Helping your teenager deal with online bullying

Learn some practical ways that can help you to protect your child, make them feel better and help you both deal with cyberbullying.

Zoe's bullying story

When Zoe and her boyfriend broke up, she found herself being cyberbullied by his friends. Watch the video to see how Zoe and her mum Anna worked through the impact of it together.

Tips for handling bullying and cyberbullying

The videos and information on the Dolly’s Dream website will help you learn about types of cyberbullying, how to talk to your kids about bullying, and how to collect evidence to make a report.

How to stop cyberbullying

Information in pictures for 9 to 15 year olds on how to stop cyberbullying.

Cyberbullying – what it is and how to avoid it

Information for parents of 8 to 18 year olds who are experiencing cyberbullying. Learn how to talk with your child and practical tips to help your child stay safe online.

Talking with teenagers about cyberbullying

Understanding and supportive conversations can help your child avoid or cope with cyberbullying. This video demonstration shows you how to start a conversation with your child.

Talking with teenagers

Find tips on how to talk with your teenager and encourage them to open up if they are experiencing problems.

Starting a conversation (PDF, 431KB)

This Parentline fact sheet outlines how to start a conversation to support children and teens who are experiencing cyberbullying.

The hard-to-have conversations

Perhaps your child has been bullied online. Conversations about experiences like these can be difficult. Learn how to start the chat.

Autism - communicating and relationships

Find information on how to communicate with young people with autism spectrum disorder, including family and social relationships.

Bullying, disability and mental health

Having a disability can make children and young people a target for bullies. The experience can affect their mental health, whether they are the person being bullied or the bully themselves.

Helping children and young people identify and express feelings

Learning to identify and express feelings in a positive way helps your children develop the skills they need to manage them effectively. Here are some tips on how to encourage them to express their feelings.

Anxiety in children and young people

Parenting a child with anxiety is tough, but you don’t have to do it alone. Kids Helpline has tips that can help you and your family.

Empowering young people to ask for help

Being able to ask for help when you need it is an essential skill. Kids Helpline discusses how to overcome the challenges kids and teens face when asking for help.

Handling tricky conversations with teens

This short video demonstrates things you can do to handle difficult conversations with teenagers. Staying calm and really listening is a great start. You can also use these opportunities to help your children make responsible decisions.