Last updated: 14 October 2026. This guide offers general information and is not legal or medical advice. If someone is in danger or in distress, contact a trusted adult, local emergency services or a mental health professional straight away. We rewrote this guide to be practical and supportive.
Cyberbullying is using phones, social media, messaging apps or games to harass, threaten, embarrass or exclude someone. It can follow a person home, spread quickly and be seen by many people. It is not “just jokes”, and it can badly affect a young person’s confidence, studies and health.
What it looks like
- Insults, threats or constant mocking in comments or chats.
- Spreading rumours or lies, or fake accounts that imitate someone.
- Sharing private photos, messages or videos without consent.
- Being excluded from group chats on purpose, or being added to chats to be attacked.
- Doxxing, which is posting someone’s personal details such as address, phone number or school.
- Sextortion: threatening to share intimate images unless the person pays or sends more.
If you are being bullied online
- Do not reply in anger. It often makes things worse.
- Save evidence. Take screenshots with dates, usernames and links before you block or delete anything.
- Block and report the accounts and posts using the platform’s tools.
- Tell someone you trust: a parent, teacher, older sibling, counsellor or friend. You do not have to deal with it alone.
- Tighten your privacy settings, change passwords and check who can see your posts.
- Report serious threats, blackmail or sexual images to the school, the police or the relevant agency.
If you feel very low or unsafe, speak to a trusted adult or a mental health professional. You deserve support.
What the law says
Nigeria’s Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act deals with cyberstalking and threats made through computer systems under section 24. The section was criticised for being vague and, after a 2022 ruling by the ECOWAS Court of Justice, was rewritten in the 2024 amendment. Threats, harassment and blackmail can still be offences, and sharing intimate images of someone without consent or sexual images of children is a serious crime. Laws protecting children also apply. If you are not sure whether something is a crime, speak to a lawyer, the police or a child protection organisation. See our guide on cybercrime laws.
If you are a parent
- Stay calm and listen. Children often hide bullying because they fear being blamed or having their phone taken.
- Keep communication open about what they do online, and agree on family rules about respect, privacy and consent.
- Save evidence and report to the platform and the school.
- Do not retaliate against the bully’s family online. Use proper channels.
- Watch for warning signs: withdrawal, sleep or appetite changes, falling grades, fear of school or sudden secrecy with the phone. Seek help from a counsellor or doctor if distress is serious.
If you are a teacher or school leader
- Have a clear anti-bullying policy that covers online behaviour, and make reporting easy and safe.
- Teach digital citizenship and consent in class. See our guides on digital literacy and online safety tips.
- Respond promptly, protect the victim, involve parents and follow up.
If you are tempted to join in
Piling on, sharing a humiliating post or laughing along makes you part of the harm. Before you post or forward something, ask whether you would say it to the person’s face and whether it could hurt them. Remember that screenshots last, and that serious cases can have consequences at school, with the police and in the courts.
Sextortion and private images
Fraudsters and bullies sometimes threaten to share private images unless you pay or send more. Do not pay or comply. Save the evidence, block the account, report it to the platform and tell a trusted adult or the police. The EFCC and other agencies have arrested people for sextortion. See our guide on internet scams.
What Cyberbullying Looks Like
- Insults, threats, rumours and pile-ons in comments or group chats.
- Sharing private photos or messages without consent.
- Impersonation and fake accounts.
- Exclusion from groups to hurt someone.
What To Do If It Happens to You
- Do not retaliate. Save screenshots, links and dates.
- Block and report the accounts on the platform.
- Tell a trusted adult, teacher or friend.
- If there are threats or sexual images, report to the police and seek help.
For Parents and Schools
Keep communication open, listen without blame and know your school’s reporting process. Teach children to respect others online and to ask for help. See online safety tips and cybercrime laws.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is cyberbullying a crime in Nigeria?
Threats, harassment, blackmail and sharing intimate images without consent can be crimes under the Cybercrimes Act and other laws. The exact charge depends on what happened.
Should I delete the messages?
Not before you save evidence. Take screenshots first, then block and report.
Who can I talk to?
A parent, teacher, school counsellor, trusted friend or a mental health professional. If someone is in danger, contact emergency services.
