Tell your parents the entire story. Parents are here to help and want to know what is going on with you. Your parents, moreover, may then be able to get in touch with staff at the school in order to try to stop the bullying. This is important particularly if you don’t feel comfortable telling your teacher or fear retribution from the bully. It’s useful if you keep a diary of everything that happens. That way you can let your parents and other adults know about specific incidents. [6] X Research source
Teachers are especially important resources if you’re being bullied. They can provide protection from bullying by letting you stay in the classroom during recess or by setting up a buddy system on your behalf. It’s important to let your school know about any bullying incidents because there may be other kids being bullied by the same person. [9] X Research source
Some children have reported real success from peer counseling programs at their schools. [10] X Research source
Remember that you cannot tackle bullying by yourself. No one can, not even adults. Getting help is the right thing to do when dealing with abuse, bullying, harassment, or assault.
Think ahead about where you usually run into the bully. Avoid those places. Try taking a different route from your home to school and also different routes within the school itself. Don’t skip classes or go into hiding. You have a right to be at school and benefit from education.
For example, do you want to be more fit? If so, maybe you decide to spend less time on the couch watching TV and more time exercising. Write down a list of your favorite qualities about yourself. Read over the list each morning before school to boost your confidence. [15] X Expert Source Katie StyzekProfessional School Counselor Expert Interview. 25 November 2020. Spend time with friends who have a positive influence. Playing sports or participating in clubs are good activities to help build positive friendships and confidence. [16] X Research source
By standing tall and holding your head high, you send the message that you are not to be messed with. [18] X Research source Acting and even feeling brave is easier when you feel confident and good about yourself. It is also something you can practice. Practice walking with your head up, looking at people, and greeting anyone you know who looks back at you. Practice using a strong and assertive tone of voice (and not shouting). Remember, practice makes perfect. [19] X Research source
If you have a buddy, remember to be a buddy. Offer to be there for a friend if you know he or she has bully trouble. Act if you see a friend being bullied; after all, you know how hard it is to be bullied. Tell an adult, stand with your friend being bullied, and tell the bully to stop. [22] X Research source Support those you see being hurt with words of kindness. [23] X Research source
Bullies are always looking for a reaction to their teasing. Pretending that you don’t notice or care (even if you do care on the inside) may stop a bully’s behavior because they are not getting the reaction they expect and want.
You can also say something straight-forward like, “Stop bothering me. “[27] X Expert Source Katie StyzekProfessional School Counselor Expert Interview. 25 November 2020. Standing up to the bully, simply by saying “no,” sends a message that you are not afraid and will not accept his or her behavior. Bullies tend to go after kids who don’t stick up for themselves and who they think will take their abuse and do whatever they say. There’s always strength in numbers. Kids can stand up for each other by telling a bully to stop teasing or scaring someone else, and then walk away together.
Try to distract yourself. Count backwards from 100, sing your favorite song inside your head, spell words backwards, etc. Keep your mind occupied until you are out of the situation so that you can moderate your feelings and not give the bully his or her desired reaction.
Fighting back can also be dangerous. If you fight with the bully and win, you might think that you are more powerful than everyone then end up becoming a bully yourself. Someone could get hurt and you could get in trouble. It’s best to stay with others, stay safe, and find the nearest adult.
Even those indirectly involved in the school, such as bus drivers, need to support and receive training on anti-bullying measures. [30] X Research source
Change how kids think about other students. For example, creating an anti-bullying program may involve creating lesson plans whereby children learn more about other kids, especially those who come from different backgrounds, identities, ethnicities, and cultures, or different learning styles or abilities. [31] X Research source Or, teachers might teach cooperation by assigning group projects, which help students learn how to compromise and assert themselves without being too demanding. [32] X Research source Rules about bullying and its consequences should be discussed and posted publicly in the school, sent home to parents, and put in community newspapers to create a universal awareness of the issue. This will begin the process of large-scale transformation. [33] X Research source
Schools need to address these areas by enhancing the monitoring of these spaces by additional adults or using enhanced security techniques including closed-circuit cameras. [35] X Research source Schools can also establish anonymous reporting tools like suggestion boxes or hotlines where students can send text messages or leave voicemails. [36] X Research source
