Cyberbullying: what you can do against bullying online

Cyberbullying, the ongoing harassing, exposing or threatening of someone online, can have severe consequences. Depending on the content, criminal offenses (insult, threats, stalking) and civil law claims apply. What matters is quickly securing evidence, deletion and support.

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Your chances of getting your money back

Depending on the conduct, criminal offenses such as insult, threats, defamation or stalking may be options. Under civil law you can demand that it stop and claim damages, and have unlawful content deleted (§§ 823, 1004 BGB).

Platforms must remove reported unlawful content. In the case of an acute threat, the police are the right point of contact; advice centers help with documentation and protection.

What you should do now

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1. Secure evidence
Make screenshots with URL, date and usernames and store them safely, this is the basis for all steps.
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2. Report and delete content
Report the content to the platform and demand deletion. Block the perpetrators to cut off contact.
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3. Complaint in the case of criminal offenses
In cases of threats, defamation or stalking, file a criminal complaint. In case of acute danger, notify the police immediately.
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4. Get help
Involve advice centers and, for underage victims, the school and trusted persons. In more serious cases, use legal support.

How to spot the scam

Intimate or humiliating content is being spread.
The attacks are coordinated and ongoing.
There are concrete threats.

Frequently asked questions

Is cyberbullying a criminal offense?

There is no separate criminal offense of 'cyberbullying', but depending on the content the conduct fulfills several criminal offenses, such as insult, defamation, slander, threats or stalking. In addition, civil law claims exist.

How do I proceed?

First secure evidence (screenshots with URL and date). Report the content to the platform, demand deletion and block the perpetrators. In the case of criminal offenses, file a complaint; in case of acute danger, notify the police immediately.

Who can help me?

Advice centers against violence and hate online, for minors the school and trusted persons, and in more serious cases a lawyer. You do not have to get through this alone, get support early.

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General information for self-help, not legal advice (RDG). In case of a high loss or uncertainty: contact a consumer advice center or a lawyer.