Cyberbullying in India Through the Legal Lense

Addressing Cyberbullying in India through the Legal Lense

By Anaisha K

Multiple Choice

You find a fake Instagram account using your name and photo, posting inappropriate content that your classmates have started sharing.

What should be your FIRST response?

• Comment on the post saying it’s fake

• Report and block the account without saving anything

• CScreenshot the posts, profile, and bio for evidence

• Create another fake account to get revenge

Multiple Choice

Your cousin, who follows you on Instagram, sends uncomfortable, suggestive messages and emojis. You’ve already blocked him once, but he messages from another account.

What should you do next?

• Screenshot the messages and report under IPC 354A

• Ignore it again

• Post about it publicly to expose him

• Delete your account

Multiple Choice

Someone posted a lie on Reddit saying you cheated in a test. Your classmates have seen it, and your teacher asks if it’s true.

What should you collect to file a defamation complaint?

• Witnesses who know the truth

• Archived link, screenshots with date/usernames, and school records proving the post is false

• Messages from your friends

• Just tell the teacher you didn’t do it

Multiple Choice

Your classmates keep mocking you in a WhatsApp group with jokes and polls targeting your appearance. You feel isolated and anxious every time your phone buzzes.

What’s the best course of action?

• Fight back with insults

• Leave the group and say nothing

•  Export the chat, take screenshots, and file a complaint under POCSO Section 12 (if under 18)

• Cry and block everyone

Multiple Choice

A friend shares a private photo you had sent them (with trust) on Snapchat, and now others have it in a class group.

What action is most appropriate?

• Threaten the friend

• Immediately screenshot the group and report under IT Act Section 66E

• Ask everyone to delete it nicely

• Delete your Snapchat

Multiple Choice

A girl from your class is being called names and mocked on a public Discord server you’re in. She hasn’t said anything about it.

What is the BEST thing you can do as a witness?

• DM her to offer support and screenshot the chats

• Stay silent—it’s not your business

• Send the chats to everyone to raise awareness

• Ask the bullies to stop, then leave

Multiple Choice

You’ve blocked someone on Telegram, but they keep creating new accounts and messaging you threatening to "ruin your life" with fake gossip.

Which section of law applies best here?

• IT Act Section 66D

• IPC Section 507 (Anonymous Threats)

• IPC Section 499

• IT Act Section 67B

Multiple Choice

You know your classmate is being harassed with edited photos in a group, but you're afraid if you say something, the bully might target you next.

What should you do?

• Say nothing and hope someone else helps

• Report anonymously via cybercrime.gov.in

• Text the bully to stop

• Screenshot and post about it on your own story

Multiple Choice

Your photo was edited into a sexually explicit meme and shared on X. You're 16 years old.

Which law gives you the strongest protection?

• IPC Section 354D

• IT Act Section 66C

• IT Act Section 67B (Child Sexual Content)

• IPC Section 500

Multiple Choice

Your friend is getting mocked every day in your school’s gaming group. You’ve noticed he stopped showing up to school and deleted his Instagram.

What’s a responsible way to help?

• Secretly record voice messages to expose them

• Stay out of it, it’ll pass

• Confront the bullies directly in the group

• Tell a trusted adult or teacher and encourage your friend to seek support