Cyberbullying: Why high school transitions are the danger zone

Julie Inman Grant
09:00am February 11 2025

Children just starting out at high school are seen particularly vulnerable to cyberbullying. (Getty)

This time last year, 13-year-old Mia was starting high school full of anticipation – new teachers, new friends, and a growing sense of independence. However, within weeks, her exuberance turned to dread. A cruel comment during an exchange on a messaging app snowballed into an avalanche of online ridicule for Mia. 

Sadly, Mia’s story is not unique. At eSafety, we see this all too often. 

The transition to high school, a milestone for children aged 12 and 13, is a time of profound change and possibilities. It’s also when cyberbullying can take root. 

New data reveals that children this age now account for more than a third of all cyberbullying reports to eSafety. And here’s the wake-up call: cyberbullying complaints surged more than five-fold in just five years.  

Behind each report is a child just like Mia – a child potentially in crisis. 

This Safer Internet Day, I’m calling on all Australians to step up and help make the internet a safer, more positive place.  

The playground has moved online

Cyberbullying isn’t a problem confined to the digital world; it mirrors the dynamics of playground and classroom bullying. 

We’ve found that cyberbullying reports spike during the school term because the harassment doesn’t end when the bell rings – it follows children home via screens and social media.  

In 2024 alone, eSafety received nearly 3,000 valid complaints of cyberbullying, a 25 per cent increase from the previous year. Alarmingly, almost half of these involved children aged 13 and under. Girls are particularly vulnerable, reporting cyberbullying at double the rate of boys.  

The numbers are stark, but they also signal something hopeful: more families and schools know what to do when cyberbullying strikes, and they’re turning to eSafety for help.  

Education is resilience

Part of our focus at eSafety is to give parents, carers, and educators the tools to prepare young people for the challenges of the digital world. This month, to coincide with Safer Internet Day, we’re offering free resources and webinars designed to help families navigate this complex space.  

For parents of children entering high school, this is the time to have crucial conversations about online behaviour. Talk to your kids about their digital activities. Ask who they’re chatting with and what platforms they’re using. 

Most importantly, reassure them they can come to you if something online makes them feel uneasy.  

We know these conversations can be difficult, but they’re necessary. Children who feel supported and heard are more likely to report issues early, giving parents a chance to intervene before the situation escalates.  

A call for kindness 

While we continue to make strides in implementing protective measures, such as minimum age legislation for social media and world-first industry codes and standards, creating a safer internet is not something eSafety can achieve alone. It requires collective action.  

Our research shows 45 per cent of Australian children aged 8 to 17 report being treated in hurtful or nasty ways online. This statistic is sobering, but it’s also a call to action. Every one of us – parents, teachers, students, and even casual social media users – has a role to play in fostering a culture of kindness and respect online.  

Start by modelling positive behaviour. Small acts, like refraining from posting destructive comments or standing up for someone who is being targeted, can make a world of difference. 

If you’re a parent, sign up for one of our transition to high school webinars this February to learn how to support your child’s online resilience. 

If you’re an educator, integrate cyberbullying awareness into your curriculum and take advantage of the tailored resources we’ve developed for schools.  

The ripple effect of action

The growth in cyberbullying reports to eSafety reflects the scale of the challenge we face. But it also demonstrates how people are listening, learning, and taking steps to deal with the issue. We must maintain this momentum.  

Safer Internet Day is a global movement, uniting more than 180 countries in the fight for a more positive online world. In Australia, thousands of workplaces, schools, and individuals are participating to shine a light on online safety. Let’s seize this moment to be part of the solution.  

Together, we can make the digital world a more compassionate place for children such as Mia, and every young Australian like her.


Security experts from IDCARE, eSafety Commissioner, and Westpac will participate in a webinar on March 4 to share their insights on the latest cyber threats and how to better protect yourself online. Register at Westpac’s Security Hub. 
 

Julie Inman Grant

Julie Inman Grant was appointed Australia’s eSafety Commissioner in 2017, leading the world’s first government regulatory agency committed to keeping its citizens safer online. She brings to the role extensive experience in the government, non-profit and tech sectors, including 17 years with Microsoft ultimately as Global Director for Safety & Privacy Policy and Outreach; and with Twitter, driving the company’s policy, safety and philanthropy programs across Australia, New Zealand and Southeast Asia. As eSafety Commissioner, Julie also Chair’s the Child Dignity Alliance’s Technical Working Group and is on the board of the WePROTECT Global Alliance.

Don't miss

Related articles

How to be gamble aware this spring racing season

By James Thornhill
Editor, Westpac Wire

Building a world where kindness and respect thrive

By Rosie Thomas OAM
Co-founder and Executive Director

Q&A with eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant

By James Thornhill
Editor, Westpac Wire

Browse topics