How to Report a Cyberbully

The Internet should be a safe place for everyone.

Cyberbullying is a problem with few good solutions. Not being there in person doesn't make threatening behavior or wrong comments any more acceptable. Report a cyberbully to stop him from harassing you or anyone else. Many sites have ways to report a person who crosses the line from rude to bully, and there are other offline steps you can take as well if the situation warrants a real-life intervention.

Instructions

1. Contact a school official if someone at your school is bullying you online. A guidance counselor, school resource officer or teacher can help deal with the problem on campus.

2. Navigate to the "Help" area of the website you're on. There should be an option for reporting abuse of the website -- including cyberbullying. Write up a report of what happened, including texts of conversations and links to any appropriate evidence, and submit it.

3. Contact the manager of a website through a "Contact Us" option if there is no "Report" function available. Include information about the cyberbully and information about how she's been harassing you.

4. Contact the police if the threats warrant police intervention. Threats of physical harm, pervasive emotional damage or other harassment can be a cause for the police dealing with the individual who is bullying you.

Tips & Warnings

• Keep a record of dates, times and what happened during cyberbullying incidents so you have evidence when you report to websites, teachers or police.

References

• United States Computer Emergency Readiness Team: Dealing with Cyberbullies
• National Crime Prevention Council: Cyberbullying

Resources

• Cyberbullying: Report Cyberbullies