# What are the legal steps that can be taken in cases of severe or cyberbullying? Canonical page: https://clinicsjo.com/en/faq/legal-steps-severe-cyberbullying Language: en Category: mental_health Publisher: ClinicsJo Published: 2026-09-13T17:52:51.795Z Content updated: 2026-09-13T17:52:51.795Z Translation (ar): https://clinicsjo.com/ar/faq/legal-steps-severe-cyberbullying In cases of severe or cyberbullying, legal steps can be taken to protect the affected child. This includes reporting the incident to the appropriate authorities, such as school administration or the police, and gathering the necessary evidence to support the complaint. Laws regarding cyberbullying vary from one location to another, but many countries have legislation that criminalizes certain forms of online harassment. ## Understanding Cyberbullying and Initial Steps Cyberbullying is a form of bullying that occurs via text messages or the internet, including email, social media, forums, and video games [\[1\]](). It can involve spreading rumors, sharing embarrassing photos or videos, posting private information (doxing), or creating fake accounts to disseminate embarrassing information [\[1\]](). It is important to note that cyberbullying can be anonymous, persistent, and permanent, making it difficult to detect and potentially affecting the victim's reputation in the long term [\[1\]](). When a case of cyberbullying or severe bullying is discovered, parents should first support their children, listen to them, and reassure them that the bullying is not their fault [\[1\]](). Children who are bullied may be more susceptible to depression, anxiety, and low self-esteem, in addition to physical health issues such as headaches and stomachaches [\[1\]](). They may also show a decline in academic performance or a reluctance to go to school [\[2\]](). ## Gathering Evidence and Reporting the Incident To strengthen any potential legal action, gathering evidence is crucial. Parents should document all incidents of bullying, whether electronic or physical. For cyberbullying, this includes saving screenshots of abusive messages or posts, dates and times of occurrence, and any identifying information about the bully if available [\[1\]](). In cases of physical bullying, any injuries or property damage should be documented [\[2\]](). After gathering evidence, the next step is to report the incident. In a school environment, the school administration or a school counselor should be notified. Schools must take bullying seriously and take action to stop it [\[1\]](). If the problem is not resolved at the school level, or if the nature of the bullying is severe or involves threats, it may be necessary to report it to the police [\[1\]](). Some forms of cyberbullying can be illegal, and the laws governing this vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction [\[1\]](). ## Cooperation with Competent Authorities Dealing with bullying often requires a collaborative approach involving the affected child, parents, and the school or organization concerned [\[1\]](). Parents should work with the school to develop a plan to protect the child and stop the bullying. If the bullying continues, or if there are concerns regarding the child's safety, contacting the police or legal authorities becomes necessary. Police can investigate threats or harassment that may constitute criminal offenses. ## Seeking Psychological and Legal Support In addition to legal measures, it is important to provide psychological support to the affected child. Consulting a school counselor or a psychologist can help the child cope with the emotional effects of bullying [\[1\]](). The depression, anxiety, and low self-esteem caused by bullying may persist into adulthood [\[1\]](). It may also be helpful to consult a lawyer specializing in bullying cases or juvenile law to understand the specific legal options available in your area. An attorney can provide advice on how to pursue the case, which laws may apply, and how to protect the child's rights. For more information on how to detect signs of bullying and support children, you can visit [School Bullying: How Parents Detect Signs and Support Their Children (Arabic)](). ## Medical references - [Bullying and Cyberbullying]() - [Bullying]() General health education; not a substitute for individualized clinical assessment. Citation URL: https://clinicsjo.com/en/faq/legal-steps-severe-cyberbullying#answer