School pupils are making themselves vulnerable to online bullying by ‘sadfishing’ on social media, report warns

• ‘Sadfishing’ involves pupils sharing misery with strangers on sites like Facebook
• Study by Digital Awareness UK says it could leave children vulnerable to abuse
• Could also leave them feeling disappointed at not getting the support they want

Pupils are laying themselves open to online bullying by posting sad revelations about their lives on social media to get attention, a report warns.

The trend of ‘sadfishing’ involves youngsters sharing their misery with strangers on Facebook and other sites in the hope of getting sympathy and more followers.

The term was coined after a number of celebrities, such as Kendall Jenner, were accused of posting details about personal issues to drum up publicity.

A study by Digital Awareness UK (DAUK) said young people posting sad revelations about their lives is likely to backfire and leave vulnerable children open to online abuse (stock image)

But a study by Digital Awareness UK (DAUK) says the action is likely to backfire and leave vulnerable children open to online abuse. 

It can also leave them feeling disappointed at not getting the support they desire, and it could make their emotional or mental health problems worse.

One Year 7 student told researchers he used Instagram to share his feelings when he was feeling down due to problems at home.

‘I got a lot of people commenting on and ‘liking’ my post, but then some people said I was sadfishing the next day at school for attention,’ the student said. 

‘Sharing my feelings online has made me feel worse in some ways but supported in others.’

There are also concerns that youngsters could be left vulnerable to online groomers, who prey on them by providing sympathy in order to gain their trust.

‘DAUK is concerned about the number of students who are bullied for sadfishing (through comments on social media, on messaging apps or face-to-face), thus exacerbating what could be a serious mental health problem,’ the report says.

The study was commissioned by the Headmasters’ and Headmistresses’ Conference.

There are also concerns that youngsters could be left vulnerable to online groomers, who prey on them by providing sympathy in order to gain their trust (stock image)

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