How to report cyberbullying on every major platform
Cyberbullying can feel impossible to escape because it follows you into your phone, your bedroom, your downtime. But every major platform has reporting tools, and most take bullying seriously — especially if you provide evidence. This guide walks you through exactly what to do on each platform.
Key takeaway
Before you do anything else: screenshot everything. Take screenshots of messages, posts, comments, profiles, and the dates/times. This evidence is critical if you need to report to school, police, or the platform itself. Don’t delete anything until you’ve screenshotted it.
The 4-step process for any platform
- Screenshot the content, the profile of the person doing it, and any context.
- Report the specific post, message, or account using the platform’s report function. Choose ‘bullying’ or ‘harassment’ as the reason.
- Block the person so they can’t contact you further.
- Tell someone — a parent, teacher, or trusted adult. Don’t carry this alone.
To report a post: tap the three dots above the post → Report → select ‘Bullying or harassment’ → follow the prompts. To report a direct message: tap and hold the message → Report → select the reason. To report a profile: go to the profile → three dots → Report → ‘Report account’. To block: three dots → Block. Instagram also has a Restrict option (three dots → Restrict) which hides their comments from everyone except you and them, without them knowing — useful if you don’t want to escalate but want them to leave you alone.
TikTok
To report a video: tap the arrow (share) icon → Report → ‘Bullying and harassment’ → follow prompts. To report a comment: tap and hold the comment → Report. To report a message: tap the three dots in the chat → Report. To report a profile: go to profile → three dots → Report. TikTok also has Comment Filtering (Settings → Privacy → Comment filters) which lets you filter out specific words or phrases.
Snapchat
To report a Snap in chat: press and hold the Snap → Report → ‘Bullying or harassment’. To report a Story: tap the three dots → Report. To report a profile: tap the profile → three dots → Report. To block: three dots → Block. Snapchat’s My AI feature can also be used to bully — if that happens, report it the same way. Note: Snapchat notifies you if someone screenshots your message, so be aware the person will know you’ve kept evidence.
To report a message: open the chat → tap the contact’s name at the top → Report → confirm. You can also report a specific message by long-pressing it → Report. WhatsApp also lets you block the contact (tap name → Block). If you’re being added to group chats where bullying happens, you can leave the group and change your privacy settings so only your contacts can add you to groups (Settings → Privacy → Groups).
Discord
To report a message: click the message → three dots → Report Message. To report a user: right-click their name → Report. To block: right-click → Block. Discord takes harassment seriously in community servers — you can also report to the server moderators (usually the people with @Mod or @Admin roles). If a server is consistently toxic, leave it: right-click the server → Leave Server.
X (formerly Twitter)
To report a post: tap the three dots on the post → Report post → ‘Abuse and harassment’ → follow prompts. To report a profile: go to profile → three dots → Report. To block: three dots → Block. X also has a ‘Mute’ option which hides their posts from your timeline without them knowing.
YouTube
To report a comment: tap the three dots → Report. To report a video: tap the three dots below the video → Report. To report a channel: go to the channel → About → Report. To block: this is only possible on your own channel’s comments — you can remove and block users from commenting on your videos.
When to report to the police
Some cyberbullying is a criminal offence. Contact the police (101 for non-emergency, 999 for emergency) if:
- Someone has threatened violence against you
- Someone has shared (or threatened to share) intimate images of you without consent — this is illegal under UK law
- You’re being targeted because of your race, faith, sexuality, gender identity, or disability — this is a hate crime
- Someone is encouraging you to hurt yourself or take your own life
- The bullying involves grooming or sexual exploitation
If you’re under 18 and someone is pressuring you online, you can also report to the CEOP Safety Centre (Child Exploitation and Online Protection command).
Key takeaway
If the cyberbullying is making you feel desperate, call Childline on 0800 1111. It’s free, confidential, and 24/7. You don’t have to give your name.