Digital life · Cyberbullying

Facing cyberbullying with support.

Humiliating messages, threats, rumours and fake accounts can affect children, teens and adults. These practical steps can help you support someone, preserve useful records and find appropriate help in France or Canada.

Step 01

Recognize what is happening and listen

Abuse can continue in a private group, a game, a messaging service or across several networks. Whether it is public, or how many people are involved, does not by itself show what the targeted person is experiencing.

Focus on the behaviour: Repeated insults, threats, rumours, impersonation and sharing private information should be taken seriously. Describe what you have observed rather than trying to determine its legal classification on your own. You can ask for advice about a concerning incident.
Listen without blame: Thank the person for telling you and ask what help they need. With a child or teen, reassure them of your support and involve them in the next steps. Avoid blaming their online habits or making confiscating their phone your first response.
Offer support without amplifying the abuse: If you witness it, do not share humiliating messages, even to condemn them. Offer support privately and involve a safe adult or someone you trust. A member of school staff can also help when a student is affected.

Step 02

Keep useful records without circulating the content

If you can do so without further risk, keep useful details before blocking someone or deleting a conversation. Your safety comes first.

For non-sexual content: Save messages and screenshots showing the context, account or username, date and time. Note the exact address of the post or profile where available, along with the platform involved. Keep the original records available.
Store the facts privately: Add a short timeline and any report reference numbers. Keep the records in a protected, private place, with help from someone you trust if needed. Sharing them in a parent group or on social media would circulate the content again.
Intimate images of minors: do not redistribute them: Do not request a copy or forward an intimate or sexual image depicting a minor, including when asking for help. Instead, note where it appears, relevant links and accounts. A specialist service or the police can explain how to provide the useful information.

Step 03

Limit contact, report the abuse and request removal

These steps work together. Tools and procedures differ between services; someone you trust can help you use them.

Reduce unwanted contact: After keeping any records you safely can, use the available blocking or restriction options. Review who can contact you, tag you or see your posts. You do not have to continue engaging with the person harassing you.
Report both the account and the content: Use the reporting process on the platform where the abuse occurs. Give precise links, accounts and context, and choose the appropriate category. Keep any acknowledgement or case reference number the service provides.
Request removal and track the response: Ask the relevant platform or hosting provider to remove the content, and keep a record of your request and any replies. Contact a specialist service if the abuse continues or you need help. A report does not guarantee immediate removal or that every copy will disappear.

Step 04

Find support in France or Canada

Choose a service based on your country and situation. The links below explain how to make contact and get help with the next steps.

In France: The 3018 service, run by e-Enfance, supports young people facing bullying or online abuse and the people around them. Service Public explains removal requests and complaint procedures, including for adults. The police or gendarmerie can be contacted about steps relating to the abuse experienced.
In Canada: Kids Help Phone supports young people experiencing cyberbullying. Adults and people supporting them can search Justice Canada’s Victim Services Directory for organizations in their area. Check directly with the service about the support available and its conditions.
For intimate images taken before age 18: In Canada, NeedHelpNow.ca supports people affected and can assist with removal requests, including through Project Arachnid. Cybertip.ca receives reports of online child sexual exploitation. These services can help identify next steps without you having to circulate the images among friends or family.

Put it into practice

My action checklist.

Choose someone you trust to help with the next steps.
Listen to the targeted person without holding them responsible for the abuse.
For non-sexual content, keep available records and note accounts, links and dates.
Do not request or redistribute intimate images of minors.
Block or restrict unwanted contact and report the content on the platform.
Keep references for removal requests and any replies.
Find a support service suited to your country and situation.

Learn more and find support

Sources to guide you.

Sources consulted on November 13, 2026. Check which guidance and services apply to your country and circumstances.

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