What is bullying?
Bullying can happen to anyone at any age and can mean being bullied at school, home or online. Bullying can include:
- being called names, teased or humiliated
- posting, commenting on or liking nasty photos, videos or posts about you online (cyber-bullying)
- being pushed, hit or hurt
- having money and other stuff stolen
- spreading rumours or starting group chats about you
- being ignored, left out or made to feel like you're not wanted
- being threatened, intimidated or sent nasty messages
- trolling you or commenting on your posts or pictures saying nasty things
- someone revealing personal details without your permission
- targeting you over and over again in an online game.
How to deal with bullying (shared with thanks to ChildLine)
Report it and block people
If someone’s harassing or bullying you online, you can report it on the site or app. Even if someone else has reported it, making a report yourself can make it more likely the content will be removed. Don't reply to abusive messages or posts as this can make things worse.
Keep evidence
Keep a diary of what's been happening and when, and take screenshots of online messages. This can help you prove what's been happening.
Tell someone at school
If you’re being bullied by people at school, your school has a responsibility to support you. If you have screenshots or evidence of what's been happening, show them to a teacher you trust.
Practise being assertive
Being assertive means standing up for yourself without being aggressive. It can help you feel more confident and in control when someone's bullying you.
Get support from someone you trust
You don’t have to cope with bullying alone. Talking to an adult you trust can help you to find ways to stop the bullying. If you don’t know who to talk to, talk to us.
Take a break from checking messages
It’s natural to want to see what people are saying when they’re bullying you. But taking time away from your phone or device, even for a few minutes, can help you to feel calmer
Bounce back from bullying
Being bullied can make you feel like things can never get better, but Child line have got a tool to help. If you think this would be helpful you can find it by following this link:
Bounce back from bullying | Childline
If you are being bullied you don’t have to deal with it alone – talking to someone about it can often really help.
Do you feel that you, or someone you know is being bullied?
Always tell someone if you feel that you are being bullied such as a teacher or your parents.
The websites below contain information and guidance for children and young people affected by bullying, including videos made by teenagers and cyber mentors/emailing advice service.