Parents and family members of children affected by a recent online bullying incident in South Australia are expressing frustration over their attempts to seek help from government agencies and social media platforms. The incident involved several Instagram accounts that targeted children and teenagers in the Riverland region, sharing images and personal information, including full names, along with derogatory comments. One account reportedly focused on around 34 children aged 12 to 17.

Michelle Lacey's 16-year-old granddaughter was among those targeted. Lacey shared that her granddaughter has been reluctant to return to school, stating, "[She] has been hiding away in her room trying to forget what has happened." Lacey described the comments made about the children as hurtful, noting, "There were some rather nasty comments about [people's] appearances and their hairstyles." She added that her granddaughter is now seeking counseling due to the impact of the bullying.

Despite multiple reports made to Instagram by Lacey and other concerned parents, the offending page remained active until community members organized a concerted effort to have it removed. However, Lacey reported that a new account was created within hours of the original's removal.

Another parent, who wished to remain anonymous, recounted her 17-year-old son’s experience with the bullying. She said he contacted the police but felt dismissed. "He rang the 1300 line and they told him [the page] had already been reported and to get counseling," she said. When she visited the police station, she felt her concerns were not taken seriously.

In her attempts to seek further assistance, she emailed the Department for Education, only to be directed to contact the school, which was closed for the holidays. The department's response suggested she meet with school leadership, which was not feasible at the time.

Lacey and other families reported feeling unsupported by the agencies they contacted. Lacey emphasized the need for better resources for parents dealing with cyberbullying, stating, "There's no support for you as a parent or a grandparent to reach out, to get advice on what you should do, and the correct way of handling it."

Ruth Brown, a South Australian ambassador for BullyZero, shared her own experience with bullying and the lack of support from authorities. She noted that the recent incident in Riverland mirrored her struggles in seeking help for her son, who faced severe bullying. "Where are those support systems for parents?" she asked. Brown called for a significant overhaul of the education department's approach to bullying, emphasizing the need for effective regulations and support systems.

As Australia prepares to implement a national social media ban for children aged 16 and under on December 10, Brown expressed skepticism about its effectiveness in curbing bullying behavior.

When contacted about the incident, South Australia Police stated it was not a matter for them. They later advised that the issue should be reported to the eSafety Commissioner. However, the eSafety Commissioner directed families to report the accounts to Instagram and block them, suggesting local police involvement only if there were safety concerns.

The South Australian Department for Education declined to comment on the situation. Lacey reiterated the need for clearer guidance from agencies on handling cyberbullying, stating, "There are no consequences other than the page getting taken down, but the damage has already been done."

A spokesperson for the Federal Communications Minister acknowledged the seriousness of cyberbullying, stating, "All young people deserve to feel safe online." They encouraged victims to report harmful content to the respective platforms, noting that the government is working on strengthening online safety laws, including a digital duty of care to protect young people from cyberbullying.