Police Seize Over 20 Instagram Accounts in Crackdown on School Cyberbullying

The Maldives Police Service has taken control of 22 Instagram accounts that were being used to target students and teachers with vulgar and offensive content, as concerns grow over cyberbullying through school-run confession pages.

According to the police, these pages, linked to schools in Malé, were posting highly inappropriate and psychologically harmful messages. The content often included mockery of students and teachers, false claims, and other forms of online harassment.

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The Cyber Crime Centre, working in coordination with the Family and Child Protection Department, is currently investigating a further 20 confession pages and has launched special operations to tackle the increasing trend of cyberbullying among students.

The police explained that many of these accounts were operated publicly by students who concealed their identities while targeting others. They confirmed that public notices have been posted on some of the seized accounts, warning that legal action will be taken against those responsible under Maldivian law.

Authorities have also appealed to members of the public to report any cases of students who have been victimised through these platforms to the Cyber Crime Centre, as part of efforts to protect the safety and mental well-being of school communities.