The common types of online harm include:
If you are experiencing online harm, these are the first steps you should take:
There are various courses of action that you can take, depending on the type of online harm you are experiencing and the outcome you are seeking.
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What do you want to achieve? |
Possible options
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I want the harmful online content to be removed.
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I want to stop the person from harassing me. |
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I have encountered:
I want compensation.
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I suspect that criminal activity has occurred e.g. I have been subject to criminal threats, unauthorised access to my accounts, non-consensual sharing of my intimate images.
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In general, you can take more than one of these actions at the same time.
Consult a lawyer or seek legal aid to understand your options.
You can contact the online platform to ask that they take down the offending material. Most mainstream online platforms have clear terms of use that do not allow common online harms such as harassment and non-consensual distribution of intimate images.
You may refer to Solid Ground’s Guide on Filing Online Takedowns for Intimate Images. Although written as a guide to filing online takedowns for intimate images, the steps are also generally applicable when applying for takedowns of other kinds of material.
Solid Ground also has useful guides on controlling the information about you available online:
Depending on the type on online harm that you have encountered, you may be able to report the online harmful activity to the Online Safety Commission, if you are eligible.
The Online Safety Commission (OSC), established under the OSRAA on 29 June 2026, is a government agency that helps victims of certain online harms get harmful content addressed more quickly.
While the OSRAA addresses 13 categories of online harm, the OSC will focus on five types of online harms in its first phase of operation. The remaining categories (online impersonation, inauthentic material abuse, online instigation of disproportionate harm, incitement of violence or enmity, publication of false material or statements harmful to reputation, or non-consensual disclosure of private information) will be progressively implemented. From 29 June 2026, the OSC will initially handle reports involving:
Beyond providing relief, the OSC will also promote a safer online environment through public education.
You can make a report to the OSC on harmful content if:
Check the OSC website for the latest eligibility requirements and any other categories of people who may qualify: https://www.osc.gov.sg/what-you-can-report/.
If you meet the eligibility criteria to make a report, you can also appoint someone you trust to make the report for you, with your written consent.
If you are under 18 and facing online harm, any of these trusted adults can help you to make a report to the OSC:
In most cases, you will be required to first report the harmful content to the online service provider before submitting a report to the OSC, except for the following types of online harms, where you can make a report to the OSC immediately:
Steps to make a report:
Do note that it is an offence for a complainant to submit false information to the OSC.
If you need any help in completing the report, you can seek assistance at the Support Centres, consult a lawyer or seek legal aid.
The OSC will assess the report to determine the appropriate action to take.
The OSC may also request for further information for its assessment.
If the OSC decides that action should be taken, it may issue directions to relevant persons or organisations to:
In deciding on the appropriate direction, the OSC may consider factors such as the degree of harm caused and the likelihood of further online harmful activity.
The OSC may issue directions to:
Non-compliance with the OSC’s directions is a criminal offence. In such cases, the OSC may also take additional measures such as issuing an access blocking order or app removal order, to put a stop to the online harm.
You may seek a reconsideration of the OSC’s decision.
If you remain unsatisfied with the OSC’s reconsidered decision, you may make an appeal to the Online Safety Appeal Panel, an independent appeal panel appointed by the Minister for Digital Development and Information.
Note the deadlines: Apply for reconsideration within 14 days of the OSC’s decision and appeal within 14 days of the reconsidered decision. Reconsideration is free. An appeal has a $200 application fee.
Depending on the type of online harmful activity encountered, you may be able to take legal action to seek a court order for the removal of the harmful content. Refer to the section on “Legal Action (Start a Civil Case)” below.
Ask yourself:
You can make a police report online or at a police station (see list).
If you are facing immediate threat or danger, you may call the police (999/1800 255 0000) or SMS 70999 if it is not safe for you to talk.
No, the police generally can't order content removal. Their job is to investigate if a crime occurred.
You can file a Magistrate's Complaint, asking the Court to order the police to take more action. Check the Court's guide on filing a Magistrate's Complaint for more information.
If they find a suspect, they may recommend charging the person in court. The accused can then choose to admit or deny the charge. If convicted, the court will determine the sentence (e.g., jail time, fine, community orders).
You might be asked to be a witness, especially if the accused denies the charge. However, there are protections for vulnerable witnesses, like volunteer support and shielding measures. Inform the investigation officer or deputy public prosecutor if you need such support.
Not necessarily. If the case is sensitive, the Court may issue a gag order to protect your identity. A gag order will restrict publication of any information that may lead to your identification. You can read more about gag orders here.
The court also has a witness support programme.
You can consider taking legal action under OSRAA or POHA, where applicable.
OSRAA
From 29 June 2026, you may be able to take legal action against certain online actors under OSRAA depending on the type of online harm and who the claim is brought against.
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Communicators of online harm e.g. the person who posted the harmful content |
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Administrators of groups or pages where online harm occurred
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Victims may be able to take legal action against administrators or platforms accountable for failing to act reasonably after receiving an Online Harm Notice in relation to online harassment (including online sexual harassment), online stalking, doxxing, intimate image abuse or image-based child abuse.
An online harm notice is a written notice sent by a victim to an administrator or platform, stating that online harmful activity has occurred at the administrator's online location or by means of the platform.
The notice must be sent in the required form and manner and contain the required particulars. This is so that the online harmful activity is identified clearly enough for the administrator or platform to address it.
Refer to the Ministry of Law’s guide on how to prepare the Online Harm Notice here: https://onlinesafety.mlaw.gov.sg/legal-action/online-harm-notice/preparing-an-online-harm-notice/
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Platforms which host the harmful content
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The OSRAA clarifies the duties of communicators, administrators and platforms:
Where these duties have been breached, victims can apply to court for remedies, including compensation for losses suffered and injunctions (court orders to stop the harm). For intimate image abuse and image-based child abuse, if the claim is made out under OSRAA, the court will award at least $5,000 for each image or recording.
If you do not know who posted the harmful content, you may be able to apply to the OSC to seek information about the person’s identity (End-User Identity information) for certain legal purposes, such as bringing a claim in court under OSRAA. Conditions will be imposed to ensure that victims do not misuse any identity information disclosed to them. Refer to the OSC’s guide on how to apply for End-User Identity information here: https://www.osc.gov.sg/how-to-apply-for-information-about-an-anonymous-account/
You must apply within 12 months of the harm occurring or of becoming aware of it (whichever is later). Disclosure is not guaranteed. It is limited to information the OSC holds and may only be used for specified legal purposes.
To start a legal action under OSRAA, you will have to start a civil claim in court. Refer to the Court’s step-by-step guide on how to start a civil claim here.
POHA
Where the harmful content falls under the POHA, such as harassment and stalking, you can also obtain a Protection Order / Expedited Protection Order by filing a claim in the Protection from Harassment Court, under which the court may also order for the offending material to be removed and for the individual to stop publishing the media. In order to do so, you will need to know who is the person responsible.
An overview of the process can be found here.
