- Update 8.17.19 – Cyberbullying, Trolls and Free Speech
- Update 8.13.19 – What IS NOT Cyberbullying
When being cyber bullied, there are practical ways to respond. But when the situation calls for it, don’t hesitate to get professional, legal and police assistance.
Related Bullying and Cyber bullying Articles:
Cyber bullying and Suicide
It was reported that there was an increase of cyber/bullying related suicides, and studies were being done to connect suicide to bullying incidence.
Cyber bullying is a Violation of (Digital) Human Rights
Free speech is one of the human rights and a guaranteed constitutional right in the Philippines, however, it can lead to abuse and border to harassment, bullying, cyber bullying, cyber abuse and negative online experience.
When a person is being cyber bullied or harassed online, their digital human right against discrimination, safety, privacy, live their life, move and express their thoughts, is being violated.
Suggested Reading: How To Handle: Right To Free Speech, Trolls And Bashing
Cyber bullying in the Philippines
the anti-bullying act of 2013 . Coverage is limited to high school students and minors.
While there are high profile cyber lynching cases reported by media, most incidents remain under reported. Since the anti-bullying act of 2013 covers only high school students and minors, adult victims, can seek legal remedy from some provisions of the Cybercrime and anti voyeurism law.
Some provisions that can help adults are online libel, identity theft, recording, sharing of intimate images and videos While there are high profile cyber lynching cases reported by media, most incidents remain under reported. Since the anti-bullying act of 2013 covers only high school students and minors, adult victims, can seek legal remedy from some provisions of the Cybercrime and anti voyeurism law. Some provisions that can help adults are online libel, identity theft, recording, sharing of intimate images and videos
Adults and parents whose kids might become a victim of bullying must find time to read and understand the provisions of both the bullying and cybercrime law. Adults and parents whose kids might become a victim of bullying must find time to read and understand the provisions of both the bullying and cybercrime law.
What to do if you are at the receiving end of cyber bullying
Always inform somebody when you are being cyber bullied, harassed, stalked or mobbed
- As a minor, tell your parents or guardian. It is best to share this also to your class adviser or the school’s guidance office. Parents, it’s best to inform the principal about the incident. As required by law, schools thru the Principal or his/her designate, should conduct an investigation.
- As an adult, tell someone you trust, and if harassment is work related, it is wise to give your HR a heads-up. If you’re experiencing workplace bullying, here’s what you can do
Always keep a copy of the hate messages, degrading images and/or videos using a browser where the url is visible when taking a screenshot
- Do not delete text messages, email, tweets and PMs/DMs.
- Always take a screenshot of the Facebook, Twitter and other social networ’s timeline
- Download a copy of degrading images or videos to be kept as evidence
Block the accounts of the people who are harassing you.
- Parents, do this immediately and have your kids take an online vacation
- For adult victims, do this if the attacks are affecting you already but ask someone to monitor the accounts of the bully.
- If you can, take an online vacation. Use a different CP numbers when necessary, but ask someone to monitor the SMS in your original number.
When cyber bullied using social media, report the account, photos and videos to social network providers
- For Facebook abuses, if you do not have an account, report HERE
- If you have a Facebook account and you wish to report a harassment/bullying follow this GUIDELINES
- For Twitter abuses, report HERE
- For Instagram, go HERE.
- For Snapchat, go HERE.
Seek professional, police and/or legal help when necessary
According to this news report, if cyberbullying is happening to you or a love one, you can contact the National Bureau of Investigation at [email protected] or call 521-9208, local extensions 3429 (Chief) and 3497 (Staff).
Seek financial damages, when applicable
One who is aggrieved by a defamatory post in social media may find refuge in the provisions of the Civil Code on Damages (Art. 2176, Civil Code), according to Atty. Cyndy P. dela Cruz.
One who posts in social media, causing damage to the reputation of another may be liable to the subject for damages and this can be a valid cause of action under the law. Such posts must tend to pry to the privacy and peace of mind of another, meddle or disturb the private life or family relations of another, intrigue to cause another to be alienated from his friends or vex or humiliate another on account of his religious beliefs, lowly station in life, place of birth, physical defect or other personal condition. (Art. 26, Civil Code)
If both the cyber bullied and offender is minor
- *Bully is from the same school – report to the child protection committee or the guidance counselor
- *Bully is from another school – report to the offenders school
- **Bully is out of school youth – bring the matter to the barangay where the offender is residing
* the school will determine if aside from administrative sanction, there is a need to file criminal charges. If parents are not happy with handling, they can escalate the incident to Dep Ed.
** if there is no resolution at the barangay level, they can proceed to the Women and Child Protection Desk of the PNP or DSWD
If offenders are adult but the cyber bullied are either minor or women
- Go to the nearest Women and Children’s Protection Desk of PNP
- Alternately, you can file an online report here: http://acg.pnp.gov.ph/main/?page_id=1047 (use cyber harassment) note: the online reporting form was removed and no longer available
- Or visit either the PNP Cybercrime Unit at Camp Crame or the NBI Cybercrime Unit
If both the cyber bullied and offender are adults
- You can file an online report here: http://acg.pnp.gov.ph/main/?page_id=1047 (use cyber harassment)
note: the online reporting form was removed and no longer available - Or visit either the PNP Cybercrime Unit at Camp Crame or the NBI Cybercrime Unit
Schools and Companies, for support purposes, should have a bullying and social computing policy; and promote surf safe practices thru learning events and other interventions. The policy should answer for the administrative discipline of the perpetrator. Likewise, a counselling program should also be in place for victims of any forms of bullying.
Have you or a love one experienced cyber bullying? What have you done to handle the situation?
What if its her mom and her against me. Its been a while since they are harassing me online. They arent mentioning names but we all know its me. Just read between the lines😔
it’s better to seek legal and professional help if the harassment is deliberate but carefully done
My live in partner is working in a restaurant. He has this cleft palate. One of the manager messaged him here in facebook to ask if meron na sya non since birth. He said yes. After that, his manager replied with a video of their co workers laughing. What should we do? Is it cyber bullying? What action should be made for this? Thank you so much po.
video of laughing? about what? because the manager is sharing the convo with other employees?
Good am.. May conflict po kami ng dating live in partner ng brother ko. Everytime nag aaway kami pinopost nya sa fb wall nya mga rant nya sa amin mentioning our names. Sa chat/text lang po namin sya kino confront at kahit galit kami never namin sya pinahiya sa social media. Ano po pwede namin gawin? Gusto sana namin ireklamo ipatawag sa barangay kaso Ofw po sya nasa kuwait. Na report narin namin yung mga post nya sa fb pero sa wala po nangyari. Ano po pwede naming action dito? Lagi nya na ho ginagawa to. Even before pag galit sya sa kuya ko pinapahiya nya kami sa fb which naging dahilan ng conflict namin.
you may file online libel, discuss the matter with a lawyer
Hi po. Asked ko lang po. I have sent some private messages on fb messenger with accusing someone having an affair with my boyfriend. However she have posted our private conversations. Can i file a case po ba?
you may, but you need to consult a lawyer so you know what to expect
Hindi po basta pang aasar e kagaya po “sana mamatay na yung pinapadalhan ko ng pera” at kilala niya po kung sino yon at sasabihin na gagapang daw ako na parang ahas sa lupa at marami pang iba. at unang una wala naman po akong sinabing nakakabastos sakanya. bali sakanya mga salita yung panglalait po nayon nagpost po ako. possible po pala no . pano po yung effect non sa tao na masabihan ka ng ganun hahayaan nalang din po ba?
you need to go to either NBI or PNP Cybercrime unit and bring screenshots of those messages (with URL), so they can assess kung papaano i handle ang situation mo po
Dahil po nagpost ako ng mga sinabe niyang masasakit na salita saakin yung chat po namin at wala po akong sinasabe na masama sya lang po nagsabi at nag request din po sya na ipost ko yung kabastusan na sinasabi nya nasakin po lahat ng chat namin na hindi ko sila binastos.
if chat lang ang pang aasar nya po sayo, tapos ikaw naman pinost mo sa wall mo, posible na maging cyber bullying yun
Ask ko lang po ako nag post ng paninira sakin sa chat tapos ako po yung kinakasuhan ng Ra7610
Cyber bullying makakasuhan po ba ako kung siya naman po talaga ang nambubully at niyuyurakan pag katao ko? advice lang po sana.
bakit ka po kinasuhan?
I applied an online loan last july 4, 2019 fro the amount php4000 ang was approved. i recieve the confirmation msg on the 8th and/on the msg the funds will be depostited within 24hrs and it should be returned within 14 days. i thought that would be sometime on the 22nd – 25th however, i rcv a noticed it will be due on the 21st. 3days before the due date, i’m receiving missed calls and sms about my due. and i was able to speak to one of the agent as well informing them i might not able to make a payment since i dont have the money yet and my salary is on the 25th. since i was not able to make a payment. i am starting getting harassing calling from them even threats thru sms that they will going to send thier atty to our barangay or to my workplace to collect the payment. on the 25th i was able to pay php3000 because that’s all the money i had extra and i need to feed my family as well. even though, i have already made a partial payment i still keep on receiving threats that if i dont pay they will call the references i provided to them to help them out in collecting the payment. they are giving deadline within the day for me to settle, which is very impossible coz i already give them all my salary. they even told me that my acct was on collection already and they also provided me an email add for inquiries and payment option. i immediately sent an email and was not even getting any response from them. they’re calling me almost everday and texting with a lot of blackmails. I really dont have the funds right now to pay, what should i do? The last msg i recv was they will going to post my picture to all social medias with a caption: Utangera/Utangero something on that sense. Please tell me what to do. thanks
go file a complaint against the company
1. cybercrime unit of either NBI or PNP if they continue with the harassment
2. national privacy commission if they will begin to call family members, officemates and friends.
What if wala posyang ni mention na name ko pero halatang halata na ako poyung pinapatamaan ng post niya at pinag uusapan nila ng mga kaibigan niya. Kasi hung chinat sya para I ask if sinu yung tinutukoy nila. Nagdeny sya sabay sambit nung mga katagang ginamit din nila sa pag uusap nila.
Considered as cyber bullying pobayon at pwedeng ireklamo sa pulisya? Kasi may text messages threat din po sila.
At matatawag poba na cyber bullying kung nagpost po ako sa wall ko ng pangalan niya at sinabing please tama na. Move on na tayo. Wag mo nakong habulin pa.
Is that cyberbully? I guess no. Mentioning one’s name in social media does not mean bully. Unless, kung may mga foul words. Right? Let answer my first concern . thank you
there is no law per se on cyberbullying (for adults) but, it may fall in some provisions of the cybercrime law. Like cyber libel.
It is best to discuss your concern to police authorities (cybercrime unit of either PNP or NBI) as they will evaluate your concern.
And it is better not to mention any name in your social media posts
Good day sir! Can you please help us po in our research.We need local literature or studies po regarding bullying and I hope you have some po para naman may mailagay kami na Filipino author.Thank you po
all my research are posted in this blog
hi po.it’s been a months noong na cyber bully po ako .pinost po yung picture ko at meron pong pinagsasabi na hindi mabuti .sapat na po bang evidence ang screenshots na nkuha ko? nasa fb account parin ho nya yung pinost pa tungkol sa akin..ano po pwede gawin ?
take a screenshot where the url is visible. you can go to either NBI or PNP cybercrime division to file a complaint
Hi po seekibg for legal advice,
Ganto po yung nangyari. Yung ex ko po at yung gf nya ay inaakusahan po ako na ako daw po yung nag chachat saknila using a dummy account and trying to hack thier accounts.
Then, i saw a public post from my ex kung ano ano pong sinabi at harsh words and pagmumura and i have the strong feeling na ako po yun, but i don’t mins it and continue with my lofe sonce i really don’t care anymore saknila and ayoko din mag assume. Then biglang nag post ulit na mag memsg ma daw sila sa taong yun. Then bigla po akong nakatanggap sa gf nya askong if that was me. So replied in a good way na its not me. Pero sobrang iba sa feelong knowing that after nila ako murahin at ano ano pinost online mag chachat sila na parang ang bait. At oba sa feeling na pagbibitangan ka nalang eh wala pang concrete evidence.
Then, maayos naman sana usapan namin ng gf nya kaso lang parang ang playsafe kasi pupubta parin yung usapan na yung punto nya ako yun.
So normally nakaka annoy po at nakaka stress na sa dami ba naman po ng mas kailangan pag tuunan ng pansin pag aaksayahan ko pa ba yun ng panahon ko.
Then, nag labas ako ng sama ng loob ko sa tinuring kong bff, 2 sila.. So nag labas ako ng sama ang trying to ask them kung ano bang iniisip nilang reason or motifs para gawin ko yun. Then yung isang bff ko sinend pala usapan namin dun sa gf ng ex ko which is mas naging complicated.
They post something again in public. So i was like again? Then nag msg skin yung ex accusing me again with same issue and get so frustrated kasi i really don’t do anything. Then i blockex them and tried to avoid the ossue kasi pag mag uusap kame mas lala lang.
Then i realized sa scenario may mali din ako kaso sinend ko yung convo namin ng gf nya sa friend ko and i admit that and say sorey i know how to admit things na alam kong ako may mali at kasalanan ko. Pero syempre normal naman ata mag labas ng sama ng loob sa bff mo lalao na trusted cause your holing na they will cheer you up and you believe that they are on your side kasi they are your friends. Kaso hindi pala and bow o have trust issues. I don’t want to talk to any of friend except for one friend who really stand by my side cause she knows me well.
Them may nag pa ggap ako may poser na ako. Siguro nalaman nung nag chachaf saknila na ako pinagbibintangan nila since they keep on posting it on social media kaso di na matrace since nka deactivated yung account and now they can’t even proved that it was me so instead pursuing it. They came up with another issue which is yung cyber libel na sinend ko daw yung convo namin sa friends ko.
Since di nila ako makontak yung bf ko yung chinachat nila and sinabi dun na magpafile sila ng case against me like paulit ulit. Ayolo na aksi makabasa pa ng msg kasi depressed nako. Minsan naiiyak ako. Minsan di ako makahinga. All i want is peace of mind. Kaso hindi nila mabigay yun. What are the things that i need to do po? Thank you po
Hi,
1st and foremost, I am not a lawyer.
2ndly, it is best to seek arbitration to settle the issue once and for all. Normally sa Barangay level yan.
If pointless, then you can seek legal help on how to go about your situation.
Hi! May nag message sa husband ko na hindi namin kilala at sinasabing gusto siyang ipapatay ng isang tao na kilala namin, whicb is alam naming sinisiraan niya lang..possible ba namin malaman kung sino or saan lugar na create yung messenger? Para malaman namin kung sino ang nasa likod ng nag memessage sa husband ko. Tnx
you will have to go to the cybercrime division of either NBI or PNP
someoneposted me he threatened me ..he no mentioning my name bu there have a photo’s . I have a right to file the case ?yes or no .. he posted my picture on facebook .. what can I do?
you can go to the cybercrime division of either PNP or NBI
Hi kelangan ko po legal advise pinost kasi ung kapatid ko at naka tag pa sa kanya ung post enough evidence na po ba yun para mag file nang case?tas ung ibang post po nya is d sya nag mention nang name pero kapatid ko pa dn po ung pina tatamaan nya…tas nag post po ako na mag file kami nang case laban sa kanya tapos nag post sya na wala syang pake …mag file dw po kami…
then proceed to the anti cybercrime unit of NBI or PNP
Hi I would like to ask some help, someone uses anonnymous names on fb messenger amd sending me foul messages which makes me feel afraid that person already includes my son and my mother in his/her word… i am starting to get afraid as i am a solo parent i am afrai that my son will be hurt if ever… please help me
please proceed to they cybercrime division of either NBI or PNP
Cyberbullying happened approximately 6 months ago. Can i still file a case?
to be certain, bring your evidences with you (screenshots with URL) in either PNP or NBI Cybercrime division
The girlfriend of my ex is posting pictures of me in the comment section with intentions of humiliating me,saying insulting statements. But the fb acct carries the picture of my ex and a pseudonym. But she personally sent me a text msg and has implied statements that she did the bullying on purpose. Clear enough to admit the bullying crime. Can i take legal actions for this? What grounds? Could it be both identity theft and cyberbullying?
it’s your prerogative to take legal action. at any time, you can visit the cybercrime unit of either PNP or NBI with possible identity theft or cyber libel in mind
this article, cyber libel for adult victims of cyber bullying, may interest you
i have a gay cousin po na nka borrow ng money sa isa ding gay make up artist, now we saw a post about my cousin about sa borrowed money nya, he was humiliated thru FB and degraded, now naka oag bayad na po yung cousin ko and andun parin yung post, what can we do po about this matter?
take a screen shot of the post (with url). you may proceed to the cybercrime unit of either PNP or NBI to file a complaint. but certainly you can report and flag the post in FB.
Hi Good Day! I need you Professional Assistance po regarding po sa Issue ko sir I hope you have Phone number where I can text you or Call you sir.
What happened was a friend of mine send me a Video sa Messenger ko even sa GROUP CHAT namin nag send din po siya yung nasa Video po is very Explicit po yung nasa Video po are my 3 Gay Friends along with 3 Teenager Guys. Di nman po masyado kita ng mukha ng mga lalake pero yung mga kaibigan ko pong Gays kita yung face nila. I sent the Video to my BF(which is now my ex) Just confirm Because I was under the Impression na kasama po siya sa mga lalake po na nandun sa Video. That night hinatid po ako ng BF kasama yung mga kaibigan niya at kasama ang kaibigan ko din po na Gay. Then, right afer I send the Video to my BF, after like 30 mins. He posted a Screen Shot of the Video sa Wall niya sa FB and nagulat po ako pati po yung mga kaibigan ko pong Gay sa pinost niya. I asked my BF to delete what he just Posted and not leaked the Video to anyone. My BF said that he did not share the Video. I talked to my friends and Apologized sincerely sa nangyare and tell them what’s my reason why I send it to my BF. We had discussions na palipasin muna namin ng ilang araw baka po kasi pag gumawa po kami ng Actions baka lalong kumalat ang Video. Ilang Days po nakalipas bigla po may nag send ng Video sa isa sa mga Gay na nasa Video. Now gusto po nila ako kasuhan, I need some Advise. It’s not my Intention na siraan po sila or Pahiyain.
it is a complicated situation, you need to discuss your situatio to a lawyer. By the way, I changed your name to hide your identity
HI Sir! Can I ask for help? It’s been months, but I don’t na may kumakalat po na issue saken. They harassing me by posting some screenshots and using dummy accounts para ipapost yon sa mga page at sinesend po sa mga friends ko. Gusto ko po sila i report because it’s too much na po. I don’t know what to do Sir. What should I do po?
what are the actions that you have taken?
May kilala po akong nabully at sad to say po patay napo sya kahit patay na sya pinag loloko parin pede ko po bang i report to para makatulong ako
what happened?
Hi. I was accussed of attempting to steal from my friend but they don’t have any proof. They kept on bashing and saying harsh things about me. I got really depressed and I don’t think that I wanna continue my studies. I just want to die. 😭 Is filing a cyber libel costly?
filing a cyber libel case is one of your options. are you a minor? the school is supposed to have a procedure in dealing with student cases relative to bullying
Hi Is there an online site where I can file for cyberbullying
in the Philippines, there is none. it used to be, PNP Cybercrime unit has that
Good evening. I was being harass and cyber bully me through social media. They always said to me that i was a beggar. (dahil lng sa nanghiram lng ako ng load at binayaran ko naman)
They goes to big issues. From my past mistakes and today. They tag my name in their post. I already deactivated my fb account but i can track them through my cousin fb account . What should i do to delete their post? I already report it through facebook but the report said They are not against community standards. Pls help me
facebook post:
Eula Jane
you may consult a lawyer and file a case of cyber libel.
I was accussed of attempting to steal from my friend but they don’t have any proof. They kept on bashing and saying harsh things about me. They keep on posting in social media.
Patricia
you may file online libel
Good evening po sir may kaibigan po ako na nahiraman ng pera ngayon po di ko pa po siya nbbyaran kse po ngkasakit ako buwan po lumipas at nakikiusap nman po ako sa knya na mkaalis lang po uli ang asawa ko mbbyran knna siya kaya lang po prang sumobra na po siya sa mga messages nia skin na hindi na po mgaganda last friday po ngchat cia skin uli sabi po niya pag bukas daw po hindi ko pa cia binayaran ipopost daw po niya ang mga picture ko sa social media group like bentahan site and facebook…ano po kaya ang pwede kong gawin?
(1) pwede mo sya ipa blotter
(2) pero dapat ayusin mo yung utang mo sa kanya at magkaroon ng kasulatan, para pag di ka tumupad pwede ka mademanda.
My friend is being accused as an offender relating to cyberbullying, but she knows that she didnt violate anything under cyberbullying. The “victim”/accuser bring up the issue in school and saying she has screenshots (the screenshots contains our class conversation which she think or assumed shes being attacked by my friend). What should she do to the accuser?
when you say accuse, what do you mean, a case was filed?
Question: what if that person is using not dropping any names whereas they are using code names to attack you.. people already who they are referring too… can that be investigated? especially if that person is PWD
if the name was identified in the comment section
Hi sir goodmorning I was harassed by someone on facebook using my profile account and I was totally depressed to the point that I was resigned on my job because of that malicious post what do I need to do? Please give me advice. Thanks
why did you resign?
Group of people are accusing me that I’m attacking their Business because I posted something on social media. That post is definitely NOT FOR THEM or THEIR BUSINESS. They just assumed.
They sent me messages and they even posted something on their FB Account, with my Name and profile.
Comments are already harsh and threatening.
I feel that it’s no longer safe for me to go outside because of these.
I took screenshots and all.
What else should I do?
Thanks!
go to cybercrime division of either PNP or NBI to explore the next steps..
My mother was cyberbullied on facebook. There are persons that are talking about her on their posts and comments and even mentioned her name in some posts (btw she already blocked those persons). I monitored their accounts and they still continue to post those things. I kept screenshots of their posts for evidence. Will this be enough? and what case can we file about this?
it’ll fall under the cybercrime law. Please visit the cybercrime division of either PNP or NBI with your screenshots to assist you in the filing of appropriate case.
What do I do if I do not know the person behind the Facebook page? Said FP’s claims are all false accusations. I tried to contact them via pm but they did not reply. I told them I’ll even go to court to prove my innocence so I can ask them to take down the page but still, no reply.
option 1: report the page to Facebook
option 2: go to cybercrime division of NBI or PNP and file an online libel case
I’m an Sk of the barangay in Subic! Do they conduct seminars for this cyber bullying?? Can I have their contact. i hope it reach you.
Yes we do, please get in touch via messenger @ASKSonnie
Is this cyber bullying?
A community facebook group who post pictures of a not properly park vehicle with plate number clearly shown on it. And they tagged it as “stupid drivers”.
did they identify the driver?
I want to report someone that harassing me & my family I’m willing to give 15thousand pesos to put this person in jail
Please report the matter to NBI or Police.
Hi! A friend of mind is being threatened by his boyfriend (who is an american citizen) to post her nude photos on social media sites. These were sent to him by my friend in private. If the boyfriend leaks these said photos, would she be able to seek any legal support provided that he it isn’t from the Philippines?
there are transnational crimes being handled by our cybercrime unit. it is better for your friend to get in touch with the cybercrime division of either NBI or PNP