Cyberbullying
The e-Enfance / 3018 Association is an official partner of the French Ministry of Education.
in the fight against cyberbullying among pupils since 2011
children aged 6 to 18
have been confronted with cyberbullying at least once.
(Study by Association e-Enfance / 3018 and Caisse d’Epargne 2025)
Are you a victim of cyberbullying? Contact 3018.
What is cyberbullying?
The cyberbullying refers to aggressive, intentional and repeated acts, committed by one or more persons against a victim via digital communication tools : messaging services, social networks, blogs, forums, online games, etc.
According to the Department for Education, It is an intentional act perpetrated by a pupil or group of pupils using electronic forms of communication, repeatedly, against a victim who cannot easily defend themselves.
Cyberbullying is based on the same mechanisms as bullying: humiliate, exclude, frighten, belittle…
What changes is the mode of expression: The blows and mockery become messages, images or videos posted on the Internet.
Cyberbullying through digital means can be even more destructive.
- The contents may be seen by a large number of people in a matter of seconds.
- The harassment may continue. at any time, day or night, and gives the victim no respite.
- The’anonymity online accentuates the perpetrators' sense of impunity and the victims' fear of speaking out.
- The witnesses become accomplices by liking, sharing or commenting without thinking.
Cyberbullying can take many forms:
- Insulting messages, mockery, threats or humiliation on social media, messaging services, etc.
- Incitements to hatred, rumours, fake news
- Sharing personal information (photos, addresses, private data) stolen, altered or misappropriated
- Publishing photos or videos compromising, humiliating or sexual in nature, revenge porn
- Unsolicited sending of content pornographic or violent
- Account hacking or identity theft to deceive, insult or ridicule the victim, scam, sextortion
Beyond cyberbullying (intentional and repeated acts against an individual), cyberviolence (online violence) can encompass many other phenomena.
Certain signs may be cause for concern:
- Mood swings, withdrawal, unusual anxiety.
- Isolation or loss of interest in usual activities.
- Sleep or appetite disorders, anxiety
- Sudden refusal to use the internet, telephone, or social media.
What does the law say?
The cyberbullying is a form of psychological harassment defined by Article 222-33-2-2 of the Criminal Code: «the act of harassing a person through repeated comments or behaviour intended to or resulting in a deterioration of their living conditions, manifested by an impairment of their physical or mental health»., when committed via an online communication service or digital medium.
It is punishable by 2 years' imprisonment and a fine of €30,000 and up to Three years' imprisonment and a fine of €45,000., when it is committed on a minor. In France, a child is criminally responsible from the age of 13.
The offence is constituted whether it is committed by a single person or a group, even if each perpetrator does not act repeatedly.
The cyberbullying by a group or mob is also punishable: several people may harass the same victim simultaneously or successively, even if each person does not act repeatedly.
The law has tightened penalties in recent years:
- Act No. 2018-703 of 3 August 2018: recognition of collective harassment and online cyberbullying (penalties increased to 3 years/€45,000); ;
- Act No. 2021-478 of 21 April 2021: automatic accumulation of two aggravating circumstances, with an increased sentence; ;
- Act No. 2022-299 of 2 March 2022: penalties of up to 10 years and €150,000 if the harassment leads to the victim's suicide.
What should you do if you are cyberbullied?
- Do not reply: The first natural reaction may be to respond or defend yourself, but this can often make the situation worse. Avoid engaging in direct exchanges with the person who is harassing you.
- Preserving evidence: Keep all evidence of harassment, messages, screenshots, emails, etc. This evidence will be useful when reporting the incident to 3018 and/or the authorities.
- Block and restrict access: Use privacy settings to block the person who is harassing you on social media. Also, limit your public exposure by changing your privacy settings if necessary.
- Report harassment: If the harassment occurs on a specific platform, report the incident directly to that platform.
- Tell others about it: Do not keep this to yourself; speak to a loved one or someone you trust. Call a counsellor on 3018, who will assist you with the necessary steps and can have unwanted content circulating on the internet removed. They will be there to listen, advise and guide you.
If you are a witness, your role is essential!
If you are a witness, your role is essential!
- Never relay teasing, hurtful photos or messages.
- Support the person concerned, even discreetly.
- Warn a trusted adult if the situation persists.
- And if you don't know what to do or who to talk to, ask for help: you also have the right to be listened to. That's what the 3018 is for.
How can you protect yourself against cyberbullying?
Generally speaking, all adults are responsible, whether in terms of prevention or actual cyberbullying. Most often, the first adults to provide help and advice on Internet safety are parents (60%), followed by teachers in the school setting.
As a parent, you can play a role in preventing and protecting your child from cyberbullying. Parents tend to view digital technologies as the exclusive domain of their children, who are perceived to have greater skills and abilities. Above all, we forget that’They do not really understand how social media works and are unaware of the risks involved.
This means you can:
- Familiarise your child with responsible digital practices, such as freedom of expression and its limits, the dangers of groupthink on social media, etc.; ;
- Teach your child that comments made on the Internet have consequences real criminal consequences in addition to harming the victim; ;
- Install parental controls on your child's digital devices, and regularly check their social media and messaging accounts.
For its part, the National Education System has a fundamental role to play in transmitting values related to responsible and civic-minded use of the internet, and is therefore committed to informing pupils about:
- The importance of discuss problems encountered between pupils and adults at the school and to assist victims; ;
- The risks associated with the use of new media protection of their personal data and their privacy; ;
- The respect for privacy and image rights of their classmates.
Educational staff must promote a safe and ethical use of the Internet and develop a culture of mutual support.
Cyberbullying is never a game
Cyberbullying can have serious and lasting consequences on young people's health.
No child should have to endure this kind of violence.
For any situation involving cyberbullying, parents, young people, victims, witnesses and perpetrators alike, call 3018.
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Bullying, cyberbullying, revenge porn, webcam blackmail, identity theft, gender-based and sexual violence, exposure to violent and pornographic content, etc., and all issues related to usage (video games, parental controls, account settings, overexposure to screens).
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