When you get bullied online: 6 steps that actually work
A simple guide for kids and parents in Estonia: what cyber-bullying is, what works, what doesn't, and where to turn right now.
Cyber-bullying is one of Estonia's biggest digital risks for kids in 2026. Police data shows that one in three Estonian children aged 9–14 encounters cyber-bullying at least once a year. This article gives kids and parents a simple, do-it-now 6-step plan.
Quick answer
If you're being bullied online in Estonia, the most important things: 1) don't reply, 2) save everything (screenshots), 3) tell one trusted adult, and 4) block the bully. Immediate help: call the child helpline 116 111 (24/7, Estonian, Russian, and English).
What is cyber-bullying?
Cyber-bullying is repeated mean behaviour online: insulting messages, sharing photos without permission, spreading lies, excluding you from group chats. One bad message is not bullying — but a repeating pattern is.
Step 1: DON'T REPLY
First rule: don't reply. The bully wants you to react. If you stay silent, they lose interest with 80 % probability within 7 days.
Step 2: SAVE EVERYTHING
Take screenshots of all messages, profiles, and comments. Save them in a safe place — your phone gallery, an email to yourself, or Google Drive. Never delete them before talking to an adult.
Step 3: TELL ONE TRUSTED ADULT
Pick one adult you trust: mum, dad, teacher, older sibling, grandparent. You don't have to tell everyone at once. One adult who listens.
If you don't know who to tell, call the child helpline 116 111 — it's free, anonymous, and answered in Estonian, Russian, and English.
Step 4: BLOCK THE USER
Every app has a block button — Snapchat, TikTok, Discord, Instagram, Roblox. Blocking does not make you "weak", it makes you safer.
- Snapchat: Profile → Long press the user → "Block"
- TikTok: Profile → Three dots → "Block"
- Discord: Click the username → Block
- Roblox: Profile → Three dots → Block
Step 5: REPORT TO THE APP
Every app has a "Report" button. Use it. App teams really do act on repeated cyber-bullying — especially when many users report the same person.
Step 6: IF IT'S BAD, GO TO THE POLICE
If the bullying includes threats (against you or your family), sharing personal info (address, school, photos), or blackmail, it's a crime under Estonian law. File a report at: politsei.ee → Cybercrime.
For parents: 5 rules
- Don't say "block and move on" — listen for 10 minutes first, no advice.
- Save the screenshots in a safe place, even if your child wants to delete them.
- Talk to the teacher if the bully is from the same school.
- Don't call the bully or their parents directly — that often escalates the problem.
- CyberSafe for Children teaches these exact steps through games and pair exercises — your child leaves knowing what to actually do.
Want your child to be safer online?
CyberSafe for Children — our 2-hour in-person course for 9–14-year-olds. Games, examples, and real-life scenarios. €150, small group, in Estonian, Russian, or English. After the course, the parents have peace of mind.