The Children’s Commissioner for England has released findings from The Big Ambition survey, which gathered responses from over 370,000 children and young people. The report highlights serious concerns around online bullying, with many young people describing the harmful impact it has on their lives. Respondents spoke candidly about how online bullying has become more common and complex, often intensifying bullying that starts in person.
One 15-year-old girl shared, “My friends and me have all experienced, personally, bullying and/or online bullying/grooming/etc.”
A 17-year-old expressed concern over the normalisation of bullying, noting, “Reduce how normalised bullying and discrimination has become, especially online.”
For some, the emotional impact was clear, with an 11-year-old girl calling for stronger protections: “They should make online bullying illegal or something because it’s really a big problem.”
Children and young people also described specific ways they experience bullying online, from trolling to unsolicited messages, and mentioned gaming sites as a common setting. One 12-year-old girl said, “The government should monitor kids’ online games to stop bullying,” while another 12-year-old stated, “They need to help with keeping them safer online so they don’t get cyber bullied by strangers.”
The survey revealed that online bullying can have lasting effects that spill over into everyday life, including school. A 16-year-old highlighted how subtle and pervasive bullying has become: “Bullying is so prevalent in schools, particularly secondary, and is not noticed as much as it used to be because it is much more subtle and can take place online.”
The report underscores the need for more robust safety measures, with children urging the government to step up efforts to make digital spaces safer and prevent online bullying from affecting their generation.