Bullying is when someone behaves in a way towards another person or group of people to upset or hurt them or damage their property, reputation or acceptance by others. It’s usually repeated behaviour and can be carried out over a number of days but sometimes it can go on for weeks, months or years.

Texts, phone calls, instant messages, blogs, chat, social media, web pages – any form of bullying that uses online communication or mobile phones is cyberbullying. Legally, cyberbullying is the same thing as bullying.

Bullying is never OK. You should always tell someone you trust if you are being bullied, whether online or face to face as bullying is serious and can escalate and result in serious injury if it continues.

If it is happening online then you should block the bully and report them to the website provider, to your parents or a trusted adult straight away. It is not a good idea to respond to their comments as it will not stop their behaviour but instead will make it worse as bullies thrive on reactions.

If it happens at school you should tell your parents, teachers and the principal immediately. Schools have strict bullying policies that mean they have to take action to prevent and stop bullying and keep you safe.

For more information about cyberbullying, and how to get help, you can go to the Australian Human Rights Commission website, or the LawStuff website.

If you are being bullied at work please read more about it here.

If the bullying is becoming a serious concern to you, you may be able to apply for an order against the bully and get the Police involved.