![A lavender armchair in a small glazed porch after rain, a lamp lit on the table and a phone and keys on a shelf by the door](https://viacara.com/img/content/online-bullying-feature-light.webp) # Online Bullying and Harassment Being targeted online can reach you anywhere your phone goes. What online bullying and harassment can look like, what the law covers and who can help. Being bullied or harassed online is real harm, even though it happens on a screen. You do not have to put up with it, and you do not have to face it alone. In 2025, two in three adults online had come across at least one potential harm in the past four weeks. Scams and false information were the most common. About one in five had seen trolling. This page is for adults. If you are under 18, the [under-18s section](https://viacara.com/support/under-18s/) is for you. Source: [Ofcom: online nation 2025](https://viacara.com/support/life-online/online-bullying-and-harassment/#ref-1) ## What it can *look* like It might come from one person or from many at once. It might be a stranger, an ex, a neighbour or someone at work. - Messages or comments that keep coming after you have asked them to stop - Posts, rumours or edited photos that spread things about you - Threats against you, or against people you care about - Fake accounts in your name, or accounts set up to watch you - Intimate images shared without your consent, or a threat to share them - Sexual images sent to you that you did not ask for - Abuse aimed at who you are, such as your race, faith, disability, sexuality or gender ## How it can leave you *feeling* Online, it can follow you everywhere. Your phone sits in your pocket, beside your bed and on your desk at work. The Mental Health Foundation says cyberbullying can affect anyone. It can bring anxiety, shame, loneliness and trouble trusting others. For some people, it brings thoughts of self-harm or suicide. None of this means you are too sensitive. The problem is what someone did to you, not how you reacted. Source: [MHF: cyberbullying](https://viacara.com/support/life-online/online-bullying-and-harassment/#ref-2) ![The lavender armchair on the doorstep in morning light, a phone face up on the table beside it and the garden gate open](https://viacara.com/img/content/online-bullying-mid-light.webp) What someone did to you online is not your fault, and help is close by ## What the *law* says Some online bullying and harassment is a crime. We can name the laws, but we cannot tell you whether what happened to you breaks one. The Protection from Harassment Act 1997 makes harassment a crime in England and Wales. The police say unwanted behaviour that happens twice or more may count. On 31 January 2024, the Online Safety Act 2023 added new crimes in England and Wales, including these: - **False communications:** sending a message you know is false, meant to cause more than trivial harm - **Threatening communications:** sending a threat of death or serious harm - **Cyberflashing:** sending an image of genitals to alarm, distress or humiliate someone, or for sexual gratification - **Sharing intimate images:** sharing, or threatening to share, an intimate photo or film without consent False and threatening communications also apply in Northern Ireland. Scotland and Northern Ireland have other laws of their own. The police can look into whether it may be a crime. Victim Support can talk it through with you. Sources: [UK Parliament: Harassment Act 1997](https://viacara.com/support/life-online/online-bullying-and-harassment/#ref-3), [Police.uk: stalking harassment](https://viacara.com/support/life-online/online-bullying-and-harassment/#ref-4), [UK Government: OSA commencement 2024](https://viacara.com/support/life-online/online-bullying-and-harassment/#ref-5), [UK Parliament: OSA offences 2023](https://viacara.com/support/life-online/online-bullying-and-harassment/#ref-6) ## Who can *help* Threats of violence are a police matter. [Police non-emergency](https://www.police.uk) Anyone Tell the police about harassment, threats or online abuse that is not an emergency, by phone or online. [Call](tel:101) [Report or find your force](https://www.police.uk/pu/contact-us/) Victim Support covers England and Wales. Scotland and Northern Ireland have their own services. [Victim Support](https://www.victimsupport.org.uk) Anyone affected by crime England Wales Free support after a crime, by phone or live chat. Support is for people in England and Wales only. Open 24/7 [Call](tel:+448081689111) [Live chat](https://www.victimsupport.org.uk/support-near-you/live-chat/) [Victim Support Scotland](https://victimsupport.scot) Anyone affected by crime Scotland Free support after a crime from the Scottish charity. Mon to Fri 8am to 8pm Sat and Sun 10am to 4pm [Call](tel:+448001601985) [Victim Support NI](https://www.victimsupportni.com) Anyone affected by crime Northern Ireland Support after a crime from the Northern Ireland charity. An office line, not a helpline. Mon to Fri 9am to 5pm [Call](tel:+442890243133) The National Bullying Helpline gives advice on bullying at work, at school or online. [National Bullying Helpline](https://www.nationalbullyinghelpline.co.uk) Anyone Confidential advice on bullying at work, at school or online. Weekdays 9am to 5pm Saturday 10am to noon [Call](tel:+443003230169) If someone has shared intimate images of you, or threatens to, the Revenge Porn Helpline can help. [Revenge Porn Helpline](https://revengepornhelpline.org.uk) Adults 18 and over Help reporting and removing intimate images shared without consent, and support if someone threatens to share them. Closed on bank holidays. Mon to Thu 10am to 4pm Fri email only [Call](tel:+443456000459) [Email](mailto:help@revengepornhelpline.org.uk) Most platforms let you report abuse. If a platform does not act on content that breaks its rules, Report Harmful Content can help. [Report Harmful Content](https://reportharmfulcontent.com) 13 and over Help with harmful content that a platform has not removed after your report. Report to the platform first. If you think it is a crime, tell the police too. ## What *talking* can help with A professional will not replace the police or the platforms. They can help with what the bullying has left behind. - The jolt of fear each time your phone lights up - Sleep, confidence or trust that took a knock - Going back online, or deciding not to, on your own terms - Working out what you want to do next, at your own pace If it has left you with [anxiety](https://viacara.com/support/anxiety/), [sleep problems](https://viacara.com/support/sleep/) or [low self-esteem](https://viacara.com/support/self-esteem/), those pages say more. If it has left you thinking about suicide, our [crisis page](https://viacara.com/crisis/gb/) lists people who will listen, day or night. Thanks for your interest. We're not taking on new clients at the moment. ## Ready to talk about what it has *left* behind? We ask what matters to you, then find professionals who fit. Leave your email and we'll let you know as soon as we're ready for you. This conversation helps us find you the right support. What you share helps us understand what you're looking for and find someone who fits. Your email keeps you updated on what's happening next and isn't shared with anyone we introduce you to. [Privacy policy](https://viacara.com/privacy) [Terms of service](https://viacara.com/terms) ## References 1. Ofcom (2025). *Online Nation 2025*. [Link](https://www.ofcom.org.uk/siteassets/resources/documents/research-and-data/online-research/online-nation/2025/online-nations-report-2025.pdf) 2. Mental Health Foundation (2026). *Cyberbullying and online abuse*. [Link](https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/explore-mental-health/a-z-topics/cyberbullying-and-online-abuse) 3. UK Parliament (1997). *Protection from Harassment Act 1997*. [Link](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1997/40/contents) 4. Police.uk (2026). *What is stalking or harassment?*. [Link](https://www.police.uk/advice/advice-and-information/beta-stalking-and-harassment/what-is-stalking-harassment/) 5. UK Government (2024). *The Online Safety Act 2023 (Commencement No. 3) Regulations 2024*. [Link](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2024/31/made) 6. UK Parliament (2023). *Online Safety Act 2023, Part 10: communications offences*. [Link](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/50/part/10) ## Related ### [Life Online](https://viacara.com/support/life-online/) Social media, the news and hours on your phone can wear down your mood, sleep and self-worth. What being online can do, and where support fits. ### [Understanding Anxiety](https://viacara.com/support/anxiety/) Learn about anxiety, its symptoms and how therapy can help. Find the right practitioner for anxiety support. ### [Sleep Problems and Insomnia](https://viacara.com/support/sleep/) Insomnia is thought to affect around 1 in 3 people in the UK. Find a professional who works with sleep and with what keeps you awake. ### [Low Self-Esteem](https://viacara.com/support/self-esteem/) Low self-esteem is a learned opinion of yourself, and it can change. Find a professional who helps you see yourself more fairly. ### [Trauma and PTSD](https://viacara.com/support/trauma/) Trauma can keep a frightening event alive long after it ended. PTSD is common and treatable. Find a professional who works with trauma. ### [Finding the Right Practitioner](https://viacara.com/guides/finding-a-practitioner/) A practical guide to finding a mental health practitioner who fits your needs, preferences and budget.