Cyberbullying can occur through SMS, text, apps, or online in social media, forums, or gaming where  people can view, participate in, or share content. Cyberbullying includes sending, posting, or sharing  negative, harmful, false, or mean content about someone else. It can include sharing personal or  private information about someone else causing embarrassment or humiliation. Some cyberbullying  crosses the line into unlawful or criminal behaviour. The most common places where cyberbullying occurs are: Social Media, such as Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, and Tik Tok Text messaging and messaging apps on mobile or tablet devices Instant messaging, direct messaging, and online chatting over the internet Online forums, chat rooms, and message boards, such as Reddit Email Online gaming communities 1 in 5 NZ teens reported being cyber bullied. Cyberbullying is dangerous, embarrassing or hurtful  messages that can be sent to a huge number of people in a matter of seconds. It is far-reaching and  irreversible. Anonymity can make this even more dangerous, because people are much more likely  to do wrong things when there is no way of being caught.  Text bullying Bullying is not limited to verbal or physical bullying.  Parents may be tempted to take away a teen’s cell phone to prevent bullying, but this deprives teens  of important social connections. It also could feel like a punishment for something that isn’t their  fault. Fear of losing their cell phones is a major reason teens don’t report text bullying. There are other ways that parents can help combat the effects of text messages from bullies: There are applications available that allow you to bar calls that are not in your teen’s contact list, set  the phone to only receive calls from friends and family and set the times of day your teen can use  their phone for calling or accessing the web. Help If someone is picking on your teen via their mobile, contact NetSafe: www.netsafe.org.nz.  Email help@netsafe.org.nz Call toll free on 0508 NETSAFE (0508 638 723) Text ‘Netsafe’ to 4282 If a text is from an unknown number, Police can request a trace from your phone service provider.  Phone companies can be contacted directly and there are applications available for you to download  onto the cell phone that will block certain numbers. If the author is known, it may be a case of  getting your number changed.