Cyberbullying Laws in India: Legal Remedies for Students and Parents (2025 Guide)

Cyberbullying has become one of the biggest threats for school and college students in India, especially on WhatsApp, Instagram, Snapchat, gaming chats and school portals. While there is no single “Cyberbullying Act”, Indian law in 2025 gives strong remedies through the IT Act, Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), POCSO and Juvenile Justice laws.

This guide explains in simple language what counts as cyberbullying, which sections apply, how students and parents can report it, and what legal remedies are available. For a broader overview of online offences, you can also read cybercrime laws in india.

What Is Cyberbullying? Examples Students Face Every Day

Common Forms of Cyberbullying in India (2025)

Cyberbullying is any repeated online behaviour that humiliates, threatens, harasses or targets a child or teenager. In India, this usually appears as:

Abusive messages on WhatsApp or Telegram school groups
Insulting or body‑shaming comments on Instagram or Snapchat
Fake profiles using a child’s name, photos or phone number
Circulating morphed images or private screenshots to classmates
Tagging a student in memes, reels or posts meant to humiliate
Doxxing – sharing phone number, address or personal details to invite abuse
Voice‑chat harassment and slurs on gaming platforms like BGMI, Valorant etc.

How Cyberbullying Affects Children and Teens

For students, online abuse does not stay “just online” – it affects school performance, mental health and social life. Common impacts include:

Anxiety, depression, fear of attending school or college
Sleep problems, irritability and withdrawal from friends and family
Self‑harm thoughts or attempts in severe cases

Parents should treat cyberbullying as seriously as physical bullying and respond quickly and calmly.

Is Cyberbullying a Crime in India? Legal Framework Explained

India does not have a separate “Cyberbullying Act”, but several laws together make most cyberbullying behaviours punishable. The exact sections depend on the nature of the abuse, the age of the victim and whether sexual content is involved.

Information Technology Act, 2000 (IT Act)

Key IT Act provisions commonly invoked in cyberbullying cases include:

Sending obscene or sexually explicit material electronically
Identity theft and cheating by personation
Violations related to hacking, unauthorised access or misuse of accounts

These provisions allow police and cyber cells to register cases for online abuse even if it happens on private chats or closed groups.

Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) / IPC Provisions

The new BNS, which replaces many IPC provisions, also applies to cyberbullying when conduct fits traditional offences. Typical sections include:

Criminal intimidation – threats of physical harm or violence
Defamation – false statements harming reputation
Stalking – repeated following, monitoring or contacting online
Insulting the modesty of a woman – sexually coloured remarks, humiliating comments
Abetment of suicide – in extreme cases where bullying pushes a child towards self‑harm

Courts have increasingly recognised that online conduct can amount to these offences even if there is no direct physical contact.

POCSO and Juvenile Justice for Child Victims and Child Offenders

If cyberbullying involves sexual content, explicit images, grooming or sexual threats against a minor, POCSO (Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act) may be attracted. When the accused bully is also a minor, proceedings are generally handled by the Juvenile Justice Board, focusing more on reform than punishment.

How to Collect Evidence of Cyberbullying (Before You Complain)

Before approaching police, school or cyber cell, parents and students should secure evidence so that the case does not depend only on oral statements.

Screenshots, URLs and Chat Backups

Helpful digital evidence includes:

Screenshots of abusive messages, comments, stories and DMs
URLs or handles of fake profiles or pages
Date and time stamps showing frequency and pattern
Call logs or recordings (if legally permissible)

Store these safely in multiple locations (cloud + phone) and avoid editing them to preserve authenticity.

School Records and Witness Statements

Offline evidence can also strengthen the case:

Emails and written complaints submitted to teachers, counsellors or the principal
Notes from school counsellors or psychologists
Statements from classmates or friends who saw the bullying

For a detailed procedural approach to forwarding evidence in online cases, refer to your step‑by‑step guide on how to report cybercrime in india.

Step‑by‑Step: How Students and Parents Can Report Cyberbullying in India

Step 1 – Use the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal

For child‑related online abuse, the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal has a dedicated category.

Basic steps:

Visit cybercrime.gov.in and select “Report Women/Child‑Related Crime” for serious harassment, sexual content or threats.
Fill details of victim (can be done by parent/guardian), describe incident clearly, and upload screenshots.
Save the acknowledgement number and print the complaint for records.

Step 2 – File a Complaint at Local Cyber Cell or Police Station

In addition to the portal, parents can approach the nearest cyber cell or police station.

A Zero FIR can be registered in any police station, even if the offender lives in a different city.
Mention relevant sections under IT Act and BNS if known, or let the officer classify offences.
Give copies of all digital evidence, but keep originals with you.

Step 3 – When to Involve School or College Authorities

Schools and colleges must treat serious cyberbullying as a disciplinary and safety issue, not just a “kids’ fight”.

Parents should:

Write a clear email to class teacher, principal and counsellor summarising incidents.
Ask what action the institution’s anti‑bullying policy provides (warning, suspension, counselling, parent meetings).
Follow up in writing and keep copies of all correspondence.

In Delhi NCR, many cyberbullying cases overlap with physical stalking or threats in public spaces. For location‑based safety tools and helplines, parents can also refer to women’s safety in delhi.

Legal Remedies Available to Victims and Parents

FIR and Criminal Case Against Bully

Once evidence is collected, police can register an FIR using relevant IT Act and BNS provisions. This may involve:

Summoning the accused (and parents, if minor)
Seizing devices for forensic examination
Requesting data from social media platforms

Once evidence is collected, police can register an FIR using relevant IT Act and BNS provisions. This may involve summoning the accused (and parents, if minor), seizing devices for forensic examination and requesting data from social media platforms.

The seriousness of the case depends on factors such as threats of physical harm, sexual content, repeated harassment or targeting of vulnerable children. In serious or complex cases, families may also want to consult a criminal lawyer in delhi to ensure that the correct sections are invoked and the investigation stays on track.

Protection Orders, Restraining Orders and Bail Conditions

Courts can grant bail to an accused with strict conditions designed to protect the victim:

No contact with the victim (online or offline)
No posting or sharing of any content about the victim
Restrictions on using certain platforms in serious cases

If threats are ongoing, lawyers can ask for specific protective directions to ensure the child’s continued safety.

Civil Remedies: Defamation and Injunctions

In addition to criminal remedies, parents may have civil claims:

Defamation suits if false statements seriously damage the child’s reputation
Injunctions ordering removal of posts, profiles or videos and restraining further publication

For a broader understanding of civil process, you can read filing a civil suit in india, which explains filing, evidence and timelines.

What If the Bully Is Also a Minor? Special Rules for Juveniles

When the alleged bully is under 18, the law treats them as a child in conflict with law, not as an adult criminal.

Role of Juvenile Justice Board

The case is generally handled by the Juvenile Justice Board, which focuses on:

Understanding the child’s background, home environment and peer influence
Applying measures like counselling, community service or supervision orders
Ensuring that the response is reform‑oriented and proportionate to the conduct

Balancing Victim Protection with Rehabilitation of Child Offender

Parents of victims often want strict action, but the law balances this with the aim of reforming minors. Effective outcomes combine:

Firm boundaries and consequences for bullying behaviour
School‑level counselling and parental involvement
Clear protective measures for the victim (separate sections, seating, disciplinary controls)

Cyberbullying in Schools and Colleges: Duties of Institutions

School Policies, IT Usage Rules and Anti‑Bullying Committees

Many CBSE and state boards recommend anti‑bullying policies, which should cover online behaviour. A good policy includes:

Clear definitions of bullying, cyberbullying and harassment
Reporting routes (teacher, counsellor, anonymous complaints)
Gradual consequences – warning, parent meetings, suspension, expulsion

Schools should also have IT usage rules for class groups, online classes and learning apps.

When Schools Can Be Held Responsible

If schools or colleges ignore complaints or fail to act reasonably, they may face:

Complaints to education authorities or school boards
Potential civil claims for negligence in extreme cases
Reputational damage and regulatory scrutiny

Parents should keep written records of what was reported and how the institution responded.

Emotional and Practical Support for Children and Parents

Counselling, Helplines and NGOs

Cyberbullying is not just a legal problem – it is also a mental health issue. Helpful resources include:

1098 (Childline) for child emergencies
112 and 181 for immediate safety concerns in Delhi
School or independent counsellors specialising in adolescent issues

For ongoing abuse or threats in public spaces, the helplines and tools discussed in women’s safety in delhi are also relevant for teenage girls and young women.

Parents who prefer learning through short videos can also follow our YouTube channel for practical legal tips on handling cyberbullying and other online safety issues.

How Parents Should Respond (Do’s and Don’ts)

Key recommendations from child‑protection experts:

Do listen without blaming the child for being targeted
Do document and report promptly rather than just blocking
Do monitor mental health and seek professional help if behaviour changes
Don’t tell the child to “just ignore it” when harassment is severe or repeated
Don’t retaliate directly against other children online, which can complicate legal proceedings

How Cyberbullying Overlaps With Other Crimes (Sextortion, Stalking, Digital Arrest)

When Cyberbullying Becomes Sextortion or Revenge Porn

If bullying involves sharing intimate photos, morphed images or threats to leak private content, it may amount to:

Sexual harassment under BNS and IT Act
POCSO offences when minors are involved
Serious violations of privacy and dignity

These cases require urgent police and cyber cell action rather than only school‑level handling.

When Cyberbullying Links to Digital Arrest or UPI Fraud

Sometimes, bullies or strangers use fear created through online harassment to push victims into scams – for example, impersonating police and demanding money. Such situations overlap with the digital arrest scam delhi pattern where fake officers threaten arrest over video calls.

In other cases, leaked numbers or profiles are used to contact victims for fake investment offers or loan fraud. In that scenario, your guide on legal action against online fraud explains how to combine cyberbullying and financial fraud remedies.

When to Consult a Lawyer (and What to Expect)

Situations Where Legal Help Is Urgent

Legal assistance becomes important when:

There are threats of sexual violence or serious physical harm
Explicit images or videos are being shared or threatened
The child shows signs of self‑harm or severe psychological distress
School or college authorities ignore repeated written complaints
Police or cyber cell refuse to register a complaint or delay action

How a Lawyer Can Help in Cyberbullying Cases

A lawyer experienced in cyber and criminal law can:

Draft detailed complaints to police, cyber cells and education authorities
Advise which sections to cite and which forums to approach
Seek removal of content and restraining conditions through courts
File defamation or civil claims in serious, reputationally damaging cases

If you are unsure whether your case needs legal action or just institutional intervention, you can seek confidential legal advice to understand the options and likely outcomes at each stage.

FAQs on Cyberbullying Laws in India (2025)

Is cyberbullying a crime in India?
Yes. While there is no single “Cyberbullying Act”, behaviours like threats, harassment, defamation, sexual comments, and sharing intimate content can be punished under the IT Act, BNS/IPC, POCSO and other laws.

How can I report cyberbullying in India?
You can report through the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (cybercrime.gov.in), your nearest cyber cell or any police station via Zero FIR, and also inform school or college authorities.

Can parents file a cyberbullying complaint on behalf of a child?
Yes. Parents or guardians can file complaints and share evidence when the victim is a minor; this is the recommended route in most cases.

What sections apply to Instagram or WhatsApp bullying?
Depending on facts, IT Act provisions and BNS offences like criminal intimidation, defamation, stalking, sexual harassment or POCSO may apply.

Can schools take action for cyberbullying outside campus?
Yes, if bullying affects the school environment or student safety, institutions can act under their anti‑bullying or discipline codes even for off‑campus online conduct.

What if the bully is under 18?
The case usually goes before the Juvenile Justice Board, which emphasises reform while ensuring protection of the victim.

How long does a cyberbullying case take?
Timelines vary. Portal complaints can be assigned quickly; police cases and court proceedings may take months, but interim protections (like bail conditions and content removal) can be obtained earlier.

Conclusion: Protecting Children from Online Abuse Is a Legal and Parental Duty

Cyberbullying is now recognised in India as a serious legal concern that can attract both criminal and civil consequences, especially when minors are involved. Students and parents have clear options: collect evidence, use official reporting channels, involve institutions and seek professional support where necessary.

Timely action not just blocking or ignoring can stop further harm, reassure the child and create a record that helps police, schools and courts respond effectively. When the situation feels overwhelming or authorities are slow to act, families in Delhi NCR can turn to LegalCrusader for focused legal advice and representation in cyberbullying matters, so that the law is used not just to punish offenders but to meaningfully protect the child’s safety, dignity and future