Cyberbullying: Knowing Your Rights

Editor's note: This post was originally published on April 12, 2022, and has been updated for accuracy, comprehensiveness, and freshness on April 8, 2026.

Online bullying can have a powerful impact on mental and physical health. Victims can feel ashamed and embarrassed, making it difficult to talk about. 

It’s easy to overlook cyberbullying because it doesn’t happen in a real place, but the damage is very real. Teens are common victims, but online bullying can happen to anyone. There’s no shame in being a victim at any age.

If you or someone you love is a victim of cyberbullying, it’s best to seek options, like getting legal advice with a LegalShield® membership, instead of hoping bullies will simply stop on their own.

In this guide, we'll explain what counts as cyberbullying, when it may be a criminal or civil issue, and what you can do to protect yourself or your family.

What is cyberbullying?

Cyberbullying is repeated harmful behavior that happens through digital platforms. It can take place on social media, in online games, through text messages, email, or anywhere else people interact digitally. 

Here are a few examples of cyberbullying:

• Sending threatening messages through texts or DMs
• Spreading lies or hurtful messages about someone via social media posts
• Organizing private chats or groups for purposes like spreading rumors behind someone’s back
• Repeatedly leaving hurtful comments on someone's posts or videos

The harassment doesn’t have to happen in the “real” world to have a real impact. Some studies show links between cyberbullying and suicide.

If your child is dealing with ongoing harassment, learning how social media affects teens can help you recognize when it's time to take action.

What are the consequences of cyberbullying?

Cyberbullying can cause harm even without rising to the level of a crime. Anyone can be a victim ofcyberbullying.

For victims, cyberbullying can contribute to:

• Exclusion from social or professional participation
• Reputational harm
• Pressure to engage in unsafe behavior
• Prolonged feelings of embarrassment, shame, or fear
• Anxiety or depression

Cyberbullying can also escalate into dangerous abuses against victims, like stalking, extortion, or even violence.

Is cyberbullying illegal?

Cyberbullying covers a range of behavior patterns. Whether, and exactly when, cyberbullying is illegal varies by state.

Being rude online, like leaving insulting comments on a post, usually isn't against the law, even if it’s highly offensive. But if someone repeatedly targets you with bullying after you’ve asked them to stop, it might be illegal.

Cyberbullying might be illegal when it involves:

• Harassment: Repeated, unwanted contact meant to scare, demean, or cause distress to someone
• Threats: Messages that threaten physical harm or violence

What can cyberbullying victims do? 

If you’re being bullied, you have a few options depending on the severity of the behavior. Take these initial steps to try to prevent ongoing behavior and build a case for legal remedies if you need them:

• Report it to the platform: Most social media platforms have ways to report harassment. Look at the platform's rules so you know exactly what to flag.
• Block the bully: Use blocking features to cut off contact. If you think they're using anonymous accounts, report those too.
• Document everything: Save screenshots of every harmful message. These can be used as evidence if you need to take further action.

But you don’t have to handle it alone. If you need help with bullying, you should reach out to someone you trust. There’s no shame in asking for help, even if you’re not sure whether you’re being bullied. 

• Talk to your school or workplace: Both are usually required to address harassment, and have rules or a code of conduct prohibiting harassment.
• Talk to a lawyer about civil remedies: You may be able to get a restraining order or sue in civil court.
• Contact local law enforcement: If the bullying includes threats of harm, contact law enforcement. If you think someone is in danger, call 911.

When your kids are young, you can use platform-enabled parental controls to monitor how they use social media. However, depending on the platform and your location, these controls may disappear after they turn 18. This can make it more difficult to notice cyberbullying.

Protecting your kids from cyberbullying starts with letting them know it’s okay to talk and help is available. 

You can also learn more about ways to stop cyberbullying on social media before it gets worse.

Getting support from your school or workplace

Many states require schools to take action to address cyberbullying, even if the bullying happens outside of school. If your child is being cyberbullied by school peers, you can reach out on their behalf. Teachers and administrators can step in, so it’s a good idea to contact them.

School staff may have specialized anti-bullying training so that they can intervene safely. This also helps build documentation if you need to seek other remedies.

On the other hand, cyberbullying at work should be addressed in accordance with company policies and procedures. Many companies have policies that cover cover harassment, including what to do it if happens to you. Following your company’s policies and procedures are a good first step to dealing with harassment or cyberbullying.

Getting relief in civil court

Even if it doesn’t rise to the level of a crime, victims of cyberbullying may be able to sue. Talking to a lawyer is a good step to understanding whether it makes sense to try to take someone to court. If the bullying caused harm, you may be able to get:

• Injunctive relief: A civil court orders the bully to stop taking specific actions. Restraining orders are a form of injunctive relief. Some states have added special rules that make it easier to obtain a court order to stop bullying.
• Compensation for damages: The bully (if a minor, then their parents) pays for financial loss, emotional distress, or medical expenses.

Suing someone can be a difficult and lengthy process. It often requires extensive documentation of a pattern of harmful behavior. 

Civil cases won't land anyone in jail, but if the bullying is serious enough, they can lead to financial penalties and create an official record of the behavior.

With a LegalShield Legal Plan, you can connect with a lawyer to talk about your situation, including whether you have grounds to file a claim.

Filing criminal charges

In some cases, cyberbullying may rise to the level of a crime. In this case, law enforcement and the local government will be involved.

Depending on the state and how serious the behavior is, penalties for criminal behavior related to cyberbullying may include:

• Fines and penalties
• Jail time
• Probation or community service
• A permanent criminal record, which can affect future opportunities

State-specific cyberbullying law examples

Cyberbullying regulations are handled at the state level, which means there’s no one-size-fits-all law or definition. Most states have laws that compel schools to address cyberbullying.

In some states, it’s easier to seek help from a court to stop a bully from contacting you or your child.

Here are three examples of state-specific regulations:

• California: Certain kinds of severe cyber harassment may be misdemeanors. Schools can also suspend or expel students for serious cyberbullying, and by July 2027, every district must have a policy covering off-campus cyberbullying.
• Texas: David's Law, named after a 16-year-old who ended his own life after being harassed online, requires schools to address cyberbullying even when it happens outside of school. Victims under 18 or their parents can also ask a court to order the bullying to stop without having to prove they're in immediate danger.
• Florida: The Jeffrey Johnston Stand Up for All Students Act, named after a 15-year-old who ended his own life after being cyberbullied, requires every public K-12 school to have anti-bullying policies in place. 

LegalShield members can talk to a provider lawyer as part of their Legal Plan to understand what actions are available and figure out potential next steps.

LegalShield connects you with a provider law firm so you can be informed about your rights

You don't have to figure this out alone. A provider law firm can tell you whether you have enough evidence to take legal action, what protections your state offers, or how to get a restraining order against the person harassing you.

Learn how to stop cyberbullying and take the first step toward protecting yourself or your family. Review LegalShield® legal plans to connect with a provider law firm today.

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