Bullying and Cyberbullying: What Kids Can Do and How to Help

Everyone deserves to feel safe, included, and supported—in person and online.

Being picked on can hurt. Whether it happens in the hallway, on the bus, in a group chat, or during an online game, you deserve to be treated with respect.

At the Center for Suicide Awareness, we want you to remember: Being bullied is never your fault. You do not have to handle it alone.

What is bullying?

Bullying is hurtful behavior that happens repeatedly—or could happen again—and involves someone using power over another person. That power might come from being bigger, being popular, or having a group behind them.

Bullying can include name-calling, threats, pushing, taking belongings, spreading rumors, or leaving someone out on purpose to hurt them.

Not every disagreement is bullying. But you can ask for help whenever someone hurts, threatens, or scares you. You do not have to figure out the right label before telling an adult.

What is cyberbullying?

Cyberbullying is bullying that happens through phones, computers, tablets, or other digital devices. It can happen in texts, group chats, social media, and online games.

It might look like:

• Sending cruel or threatening messages.
• Posting embarrassing photos or videos of someone.
• Spreading rumors in a group chat.
• Sharing someone’s private information to embarrass them.
• Posting hurtful comments about someone during a game.

Online bullying can feel hard to escape because messages can keep arriving after school, and other people can share them. What happens online matters, and you deserve help with it.

What should I do if I’m being bullied?

Get somewhere safe. Move toward a teacher, coach, bus driver, or another trusted adult. If it feels safe, say, “Stop. That’s not okay,” and walk away. You do not have to confront someone or fight back.

Tell an adult you trust. Talk to a parent, caregiver, teacher, school resource officer, school counselor, or principal. Explain what happened, where it happened, and whether it has happened before.

Try saying:

“Someone keeps bothering me, and I need help feeling safe.”

You can write a note or ask a friend to come with you if talking feels difficult. An adult can help you make a plan, including identifying safe people and places you can go.

Keep asking for help. If the first adult does not understand, or the bullying continues, tell them again and reach out to another trusted adult.

You can say:

“I told someone, but it’s still happening. What can we do next?”

Asking for protection is not tattling. You deserve to be heard.

What should I do if I’m being cyberbullied?

Pause instead of replying

You do not have to argue, defend yourself in a group chat, or send something hurtful back. Put the device down for a moment and find support.

Show a trusted adult and save evidence

Ask an adult to help save hurtful messages, usernames, dates, and screenshots before deleting them. You do not need to keep rereading them.

Try saying:

“Something is happening online that’s upsetting me. Can you look at it with me?”

Block and report

Ask an adult to help you block the account and report the behavior through the app, website, or game. Tell your school, too, especially if classmates are involved.

Take threats seriously

If someone threatens to hurt you or makes you afraid for your safety, tell a trusted adult immediately.

You do not have to stay in a conversation where someone is hurting you.

How can I help someone being bullied?

Small, safe actions can help someone feel supported:

• Include them. Invite them to sit with you, walk beside you, or join an activity.
• Check in privately. Say, “I saw what happened. That wasn’t okay.”
• Help them find an adult. Offer to go with them.
• Get help immediately if someone could be hurt. You do not need to step into a dangerous situation yourself.

How can I help someone being cyberbullied?

Do not forward the hurt. Avoid sharing cruel messages, screenshots, photos, or videos with friends. Show them privately to a trusted adult when asking for help.

Send support privately. You might write:

“I saw those comments. You didn’t deserve that. Do you want help telling someone?”

Help them get support. Offer to sit with them while they talk to an adult or report the account. You do not need to start an online argument to show you care.

You deserve respect everywhere

At school. At home. On the bus. In a game. In a group chat.

You do not have to change who you are to deserve kindness.

If bullying is making you feel sad, scared, angry, or alone, tell someone. Adults are responsible for helping keep kids safe. You are not expected to solve this by yourself.

More Connection. Less Isolation.™

Need someone to talk to?

HOPELINE™
24/7 Emotional Support Text Line
Text HOPELINE™ to 741741.
Free, confidential emotional support.

If you are in immediate danger, get to a safe adult right away. Call 911 for an emergency.