Online bullying reports rise 40% in Lithuania

Lithuania’s Communications Regulatory Authority received 261 reports of online bullying in the first nine months of 2026, a 40% increase on the same period last year, LRT reported.

The authority, known as RRT, received about 2,700 reports overall during the period concerning online content that was prohibited or harmful to minors. RRT chair Jūratė Šovienė said the rise in bullying reports showed that the problem remained highly relevant online, while possibly also reflecting greater awareness and willingness to speak up.

In the third quarter alone, RRT received 1,377 reports about prohibited or harmful content, 60% more than in the same quarter last year. Of those, 307 were found to be justified, allowing action to be taken to remove the content.

Some 150 substantiated reports were referred to internet service providers, website owners and social media operators in various countries. Another 42 reports concerning images of child sexual abuse were sent to hotlines in other countries that belong to the international INHOPE network.

RRT also received reports of possible cyber incidents, online fraud and other information harmful to minors. Twelve reports were referred to the Office of the Inspector of Journalist Ethics, and seven will be investigated by Lithuanian police.

Residents are encouraged to report bullying, violence, images of child sexual abuse and other prohibited content to the Švarus internetas hotline.