Bullying

• Physical bullying: Involves hurting your body, like hitting, kicking, pushing, or damaging your things.  

• Verbal bullying: Includes name-calling, teasing, or making threats to hurt or embarrass you. 

• Social bullying: This is when someone spreads rumours, leaves you out on purpose, or tries to damage your relationships with others.  

• Cyberbullying: Happens online or through text messages and can include spreading mean comments, threats, or sharing personal information or images to embarrass you. 

Bullying can feel really hard to deal with, but there are steps you can take to protect yourself.

• Tell someone you trust: This could be a parent, teacher, school nurse, or a close friend. Sharing what’s happening helps people understand and take action to support you.  

• Keep evidence: If you're being bullied online, take screenshots of messages or posts. This can help prove what’s happening if you need to report it.  

• Stay with friends: Bullies are less likely to target you if you’re with a group of friends. Stick with people you trust during school or social activities. 

• Block and report: If you’re being bullied online, block the person and report the behaviour to the platform. Most social media sites have ways to report bullying and harassment. 

• Don’t retaliate: Even though it’s tempting to fight back, responding to bullying with aggression can sometimes make things worse. Focus on getting help from trusted adults. 

If you see someone else being bullied, it’s important to step in safely or get help. 

• Be an upstander: If it’s safe to do so, stand up for the person being bullied by telling the bully to stop. Sometimes just one voice can make a difference. 

• Report it: Tell a teacher or trusted adult what’s happening so they can step in and help. 

• Support the person being bullied: Let them know you’ve got their back. Sometimes just knowing they have a friend can help them feel less alone. 

• Speak to a teacher, school nurse, or trusted adult: They can help stop the bullying and make sure you’re safe. 

• Childline: Offers confidential support if you’re dealing with bullying. You can call them at 0800 1111 or visit their website for more ways to reach out. Home – Childline.

• Anti-Bullying Alliance: Provides resources and support for those experiencing bullying. Home – Anti-Bullying Alliance. 

• NSPCC: Offers advice on how to cope with bullying and seek help. Bullying and Cyberbullying – NSPCC.

• Kidscape: Their website has plenty of advice and resources for stopping bullying. Bullying Advice For Young People – Kidscape.