Cyberbullying is never acceptable. The University does not tolerate bullying, harassment or intimidation in any form, whether it happens online or in person.
What is cyberbullying?
Cyberbullying, also known as "online bullying" or "e-bullying", is the use of digital technology to bully, harass or intimidate someone. It can happen on social media, gaming platforms, streaming platforms, messaging apps, group chats, university online learning platforms and websites.
Cyberbullying can include:
- creating fake profiles to impersonate or target someone
- posting or sending negative comments intended to cause distress
- sharing someone's personal information, images or videos without their permission
- stalking, repeated unwanted contact or harassment
- trolling
- excluding someone from online groups or chats in a deliberate and hurtful way
- sharing private or sexual images without consent
Cyberbullying often happens alongside in-person bullying. Research suggests that many people who experience online bullying have also been bullied face to face.
How cyberbullying can differ from face-to-face bullying
- It can be anonymous. People may try to hide their identity, which can make it more frightening and harder to deal with.
- It can spread quickly and widely. Hurtful content is easy to share online, and can reach a large audience in moments.
- It can feel isolating. The person responsible does not see the impact on the person targeted, which can make the behaviour feel more detached and extreme.
- It can be evidenced. Screenshots, recordings and message histories can be kept and used to support a report.
The impact of cyberbullying
The University recognises that bullying, online or otherwise, can seriously affect a person's mental health, wellbeing, studies and future career. We consider this behaviour unacceptable in our community.
Cyberbullying may also overlap with other behaviour covered by University policy and the law. If it is linked to a protected characteristic, it may amount to harassment or discrimination under the Equality Act 2010. Some online behaviour, including threats, stalking and sharing private sexual images without consent, can be a criminal offence.
If you are being cyberbullied, or have seen it happen
Being targeted online can be upsetting, isolating and exhausting, and it may be hard to know what to do. Everyone reacts differently. You do not have to deal with it alone, and support is available whether or not you decide to make a formal complaint.
If you have witnessed cyberbullying, you can also seek advice or report what you saw. Your concern will be taken seriously.
Some practical steps you can take:
- Keep evidence. Take screenshots or recordings and save message histories, noting dates, times, usernames and links. Try to do this before blocking or deleting anything.
- Avoid responding. Replying can sometimes make things worse. You do not have to engage.
- Use platform tools. Block, mute or restrict the account, and report the content to the platform. Most platforms allow you to report abusive content or profiles. For example, TikTok has a Safety Centre explaining what online bullying is and how to report it to its moderation team.
- Review your privacy settings and who can see or contact you.
- Talk to someone you trust.
You can also:
- talk to someone at the University in confidence, such as the Student Support Team or Student Union
- report it to the University through Report + Support
- report it to the police if you feel unsafe or the behaviour involves threats, stalking or sharing intimate images. Call 999 in an emergency or 101 in a non-emergency.
External support and information
- National Bullying Helpline, available to everyone, including staff and students, from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday (UK time). Helpline: 0300 323 0169. Telephone: 0845 225 5787.
- TikTok Safety Centre, which explains how to report bullying on the platform