9 Ways to Stop Bullying at School in Its Tracks

Bullying happens every day in schools across the country. It’s when someone repeatedly harms another person either physically, psychologically, or both. One in five students say they’ve been bullied. Many of them report being made fun of, pushed, spit on, or excluded from activities.

It’s hard to be the victim of bullying or to watch others getting bullied. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to protect yourself and others. But keep in mind, if you’re experiencing bullying, it’s not your fault. Do your best to reach out to someone you trust who can help and support you, your child, or your friend.

How do you stop bullying?

You can play an important role in ending bullying in your school and community.

Consider these nine tips to stop bullying.

1. Treat people with respect

Be kind and polite to others, even people who are different from you. Treat others the way you expect to be treated.

2. Tell an adult

Talk to an adult you trust like a parent or school counselor if you experience or witness bullying. Adults are powerful tools you can turn to for protection.

And don’t think of telling as “snitching”; think of it as stopping an abuser from harming you or anyone else. Your actions may also help the person who is harming others get the help they need, too.

3. Stay away from bullies

Bullies sometimes hang out in familiar places like the playground or locker room. Steer clear of any places where bullies congregate if it is emotionally or physically unsafe. If you’re concerned, take a friend with you when possible.

4. Stand up for yourself

If you’re being bullied, keep your cool and say things like, “Whatever,” or “I don’t care what you say.” Bullies want to get a rise out of you. Staying calm and making neutral comments may get them to back off.

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5. Be kind to bullied kids

If you see someone getting bullied, get an adult involved. Invite the bullied kid to sit with you at lunch or on the bus. They need to know they’re not alone.

6. Don’t react like a bully

You may feel like acting out in anger toward a bully. But that’s exactly what the bully wants. It’s better to stay calm and walk away than engage in bullying behavior.

7. Use a buddy system

Avoid going anywhere alone when possible. Instead, have a friend who will help stick up for you and who you can stick up for. You’ll feel more powerful together.

8. Make more friends

Bullies are less likely to confront you if you’re surrounded by friends. Make lots of friends as much as you can and stick together.

9. Get involved

Join anti-bullying groups in your school or community. The best way to fight bullying is with friends and concerned adults.

What are the 6 Rs of bullying prevention?

Educational psychologist Michele Borba, Ed.D., developed six evidence-based strategies to prevent bullying in schools. You can find them in her book “End Peer Cruelty, Build Empathy.”

Here’s a summary of her 6 Rs to prevent bullying.

1. Rules

Your school’s anti-bullying rules should focus on prevention, parental involvement, and a respectful environment. It should get everyone involved including coaches, custodians, and all classmates.

2. Recognize

Understand what bullying is and how to spot it when it’s happening.

3. Report

See if your school has a form you can fill out to report bullying. If not, tell an adult about the bullying you witnessed or experienced.

4. Respond

Learn ways to help someone who is being bullied instead of watching or walking away.

5. Refuse

Don’t allow bullies to get away with their behavior. Work with friends and adults to end bullying.

6. Replace

It’s important for students who are prone to bullying to replace aggressive behaviors with non-aggressive behaviors.

Why is bullying harmful?

Bullying can harm bullies, their victims, and bystanders physically and psychologically.

Kids who are bullied may experience:

• Depression

• Anxiety

• Headaches

• Low self-esteem

• Lower grades and test scores

• Poor school attendance

Kids who bully others are more likely to:

• Engage in antisocial behavior

• Have behavior problems at school

• Misuse substances

• Get into fights

• Experience depression

Kids who witness bullying are also more likely to struggle with depression, anxiety, and stress.

How to spot bullying

Bullying is different from typical behavioral problems. These three signs of bullying set them apart:

• Bullying happens repeatedly, day after day

• The bully feels powerful because their victim is smaller, younger, or has lower or less developed social skills

• The bully enjoys upsetting their target or inspiring fear in them

Types of bullying

The following list highlights some of the more common types of bullying:

• Physical: This type of bullying happens when a bully hits, shoves, trips, or punches their victim.

• Verbal: With verbal bullying, the perpetrator taunts their victim or makes fun of their appearance, race, religion, social status, disability, intellectual ability, or sexual and gender identity.

• Social: Social bullying happens when someone spreads rumors, humiliates, or encourages others to exclude their target.

• Cyber: Cyberbullying uses digital technology to spread lies, post mean messages, or upload embarrassing images of someone else. Unwanted sexting, sending or receiving photos, videos, or messages of a sexual nature, is a form of cyberbullying.

• Sexual: This type of bullying occurs when someone degrades your gender or sexuality. The bully may use sexual language, gestures, or violence to harass or pressure you into uncomfortable behavior.

What resources are available for students, parents, and schools?

These organizations offer free anti-bullying materials and resources for schools and communities:

• Stop Bullying

• Committee for Children

• Do Something

• Pacer’s National Bullying Prevention Center

• Stomp Out Bullying

• Operation Respect

• BullyBust

Why trust our experts?

Written by:

Ana Gascon

Ana Gascon has over 15 years of writing and editing experience, with 8 years in health and medical content work. She is a versatile health and medical content creator who writes about acute conditions, chronic diseases, mental health challenges, and health equity.

Edited by:

Renée Fabian, MA

Renée Fabian is the senior pet health editor at GoodRx. She’s worked for nearly 10 years as a journalist and editor across a wide range of health and well-being topics.

Reviewed by:

India B. Gomez, PhD

India B. Gomez, PhD, is a licensed clinical psychologist with a certificate in Latin American Family Therapy. She completed her doctoral education at the California School of Professional Psychology/Alliant International University.

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