Support and guidance

You are not alone.Help is available.

If someone has hurt or frightened you online, you deserve support. Take one step at a time, and choose the help that feels safest.

See urgent support options

Urgent safety

Are you in immediate physical danger?

Move to a safer place if you can and contact local emergency services or police. If you are a child or young person, tell a trusted adult right away.

The following numbers were provided in the project brief. Their current availability and coverage have not been independently confirmed; verify them with local official sources before relying on them.

Police 997 Child Helpline 116

Start with what feels safe

Four steps youcan take right now.

You do not need to do everything at once. Your safety and wellbeing come first.

Pause before replying

You do not have to respond immediately. Step away, take a breath, and avoid replying while upset.

Keep a safe record

If it is safe, note dates, times, account names, and what happened. Do not share private material publicly.

Block or restrict

Use the platform’s block, mute, restrict, or privacy controls to reduce unwanted contact.

Report and reach out

Report content through the platform and tell someone you trust. If you are under 18, involve a trusted adult.

Reporting on the app or website

Use the platform’sown safety tools.

These general steps can help you find reporting tools. Menus change over time, so use each platform’s official Help Center for the latest instructions.

Open the chat or group and tap the contact or group name.
Look for the Report, Block, or Exit group options.
Choose the action that feels safe; check the current WhatsApp Help Center for up-to-date steps.

Official WhatsApp Help Center

Facebook

Open the post, profile, comment, or message you want to report.
Open its options menu and choose Find support or Report.
Follow the prompts. You can also block or restrict the account.

Official Facebook Help Center

TikTok

Open the video, comment, message, or profile.
Use the Share or options menu and select Report.
Choose the closest reason and follow the prompts; block the account if needed.

Official TikTok Help Center

Instagram

Open the post, comment, message, or profile.
Tap the options menu and select Report.
Follow the prompts. Consider restricting or blocking the account.

Official Instagram Help Center

Different needs, different pathways

Find the rightkind of support.

This initiative is not an emergency service or law-enforcement agency. Contact the appropriate organization for your situation.

Criminal offence reports

Malawi Police Service — Cybercrime Unit

For suspected criminal conduct, contact the Malawi Police Service through a current official channel and ask about the Cybercrime Unit. Use 997 for immediate danger only.

997

Emergency Police: 997

The emergency number was supplied in the project brief. Confirm its current availability; do not assume it is a direct cybercrime reporting line.

Child safeguarding and support

Child Helpline

Children and young people can seek support through the child helpline or ask a trusted adult to help find a safe, appropriate service.

116

Call Child Helpline: 116

Helpline number supplied in the project brief; confirm current availability and hours before publishing.

Regulatory concerns

MACRA

The Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority handles communications-sector regulation. Check its official channels for the appropriate complaint route.

Official website

Visit MACRA

Use official channels to confirm whether your concern falls within MACRA’s remit.

Cyber incident guidance

mwCERT

For technical cyber incidents, seek guidance through the current official Malawi Computer Emergency Response Team channels.

Contact details to confirm

Check with MACRA

We could not verify a current direct mwCERT reporting endpoint; confirm it through an official source.

Your information stays yours

Keep a recordonly if it is safe.

This optional checklist is a private reminder—not a reporting form. Nothing you tick is stored, uploaded, or sent.

If you are under 18, do not collect or share sensitive material on your own. Ask a trusted adult for help.

Private to this page

Evidence checklist

0 of 5

Use these reminders only if you choose to keep a record. Your selections are not saved or sent anywhere; refreshing the page clears them.

Note dates, times, and what happened in a private, secure place.
Record relevant account names or links without sharing them publicly.
Keep original messages or screenshots only if it is safe and appropriate.
Keep enough context to understand what happened; do not edit the evidence.
Ask a trusted adult or professional how to share information safely.

Support and education

You deserve to be treated with respect—online and offline.

Learn more about cyberbullying and the ways people can find help.

Understand cyberbullying