What is Bullying?

Bullying is defined as unwanted, aggressive behavior among school-aged children that involves a real or perceived imbalance of power.  The behavior is repeated or has the potential to be repeated, over time. Bullying is a widespread issue in the United States and negatively impacts those who are bullied, those who bully others, bystanders, and others in the school community. Bullying can threaten students’ physical and emotional safety at school and negatively impact their ability to learn. It is linked to many negative outcomes, including impacts on mental health, substance use, and suicide, and in some instances can play a contributing role in school violence.  

Bullying Prevention Strategies in School

While there is not a one-size-fits-all approach to addressing bullying, there are several things school staff can do to make schools safer and prevent bullying. The first step is properly identifying bullying and taking actionable steps to prevent it. Reducing bullying behavior in schools requires a multi-faceted approach that also includes immediate response and appropriate consequences and support for serious incidents. School-based programs that strengthen youths’ skills and modify the physical and social environment have also been shown to reduce bullying or key risk factors. This includes the adoption of school climate initiatives and support for positive character development and digital citizenship. Everyone at school can work together to create an environment where bullying is not acceptable. The following are some strategies school leaders, teachers, and staff can consider implementing to help identify, address, and prevent bullying in schools. 

Bullying prevention in schools requires a comprehensive, collaborative approach involving educators, students, parents, and the community. By fostering a positive school climate, educating and empowering students, and implementing clear policies and effective interventions, schools can create an environment where all students feel safe, respected, and supported. Continuous evaluation and adaptation of bullying prevention strategies are essential to address the evolving challenges in schools and ensure the well-being of every student.

Teach kindness and empathy.

When students can approach ideas and problems from multiple perspectives, they’re less likely to bully others.

From the earliest ages, students should participate in activities that boost social-emotional learning. As a teacher, find ways to help children understand and appreciate their identity as well as others. To do this requires empathy and kindness, two skills that can be taught.

“Empathy is the ability to put yourself in someone else’s shoes, and teachers need to embed this skill into their curriculum,” says Susan Patterson, who leads a cyberbullying course at Lesley University. “We need to do identity work with children early on so that kids know who they are and who everybody else is and what their place is in the world.”

One way to do this is to have kids get together and talk about their differences. Allow them to practice conflict resolution, work through problems, and build their understanding of those around them.

Create opportunities for connection.

Fostering a sense of community in the classroom can lower bullying incidents and facilitate healing for targeted students.

Research shows that when targeted students feel connected to peers, they’re better able to cope with being bullied. Studies also indicate that teaching students to speak up when they witness bullying behavior and to take a stand against it, can reduce future bullying situations by more than 50 percent.

“It’s all about connection,” says Nancy Beardall, who created and implemented a bullying prevention curriculum in Newton Public Schools. “When students feel connected to their peers, their school, and their community, they do better.”

In the classroom, start by creating a safe place for students to express themselves and feel heard. Cultivate students’ abilities to advocate on behalf of themselves as well as others. Outside of the classroom, facilitate opportunities for positive reinforcement by helping students get involved in after-school activities that align with their hobbies and interests.

Identify "gateway behaviors".

Researchers have found that small behaviors can often signal the beginning patterns of bullying. Often missed by educators who already have so much on their plates, these indicators, called “gateway behaviors,” can be difficult to detect. But, if you can recognize them early on, there’s a chance you could prevent bullying behavior from developing down the road. As an educator, here are some of the key behaviors you should take notice of:

• Eye rolling
• Prolonged staring
• Back turning
• Laughing cruelly/encouraging others to laugh
• Name-calling
• Ignoring or excluding
• Causing physical harm
• Spying
• Stalking

While these behaviors may not be classified as bullying, putting interventions in place now could mitigate the likelihood of them growing into something more problematic. “The research would imply that [these behaviors] lead to bullying and that if we can stop kids here, then we’re going to go a long way to stopping the problem,” says Patterson.

Parent Support for Bullying Prevention

Help Kids Understand Bullying

Kids who know what bullying is can better identify it. They can talk about bullying if it happens to them or others. Kids need to know ways to safely stand up to bullying and how to get help.

• Encourage kids to speak to a trusted adult if they are bullied or see others being bullied. The adult can give comfort, support, and advice, even if they can’t solve the problem directly. Encourage the child to report bullying if it happens.
• Talk about how to stand up to kids who bully. Give tips, like using humor and saying “stop” directly and confidently. Talk about what to do if those actions don’t work, like walking away
• Talk about strategies for staying safe, such as staying near adults or groups of other kids.
• Urge them to help kids who are bullied by showing kindness or getting help.

Keep the Lines of Communication Open

Research tells us that children really do look to parents and caregivers for advice and help on tough decisions. Sometimes, spending 15 minutes a day talking can reassure kids that they can talk to their parents if they have a problem. Start conversations about daily life and feelings with questions like these:

• What was one good thing that happened today? Any bad things?
• What is lunchtime like at your school? Who do you sit with? What do you talk about?
• What is it like to ride the school bus?
• What are you good at? What do you like best about yourself?

Talking about bullying directly is an important step in understanding how the issue might be affecting kids. There are no right or wrong answers to these questions, but it is important to encourage kids to answer them honestly. Assure kids that they are not alone in addressing any problems that arise. Start conversations about bullying with questions like these:

• What does “bullying” mean to you?
• Describe what kids who bully are like. Why do you think people bully?
• Who are the adults you trust most when it comes to things like bullying?
• Have you ever felt scared of going to school because you were afraid of bullying? In what ways have you tried to change it?
• What do you think parents can do to help stop bullying?
• Have you or your friends left other kids out on purpose? Do you think that was bullying? Why or why not?
• What do you usually do when you see bullying going on?
• Do you ever see kids at your school being bullied by other kids? How does it make you feel?
• Have you ever tried to help someone who is being bullied? What happened? What would you do if it happened again?

Get more ideas for talking with children-PDF about life and bullying. If concerns come up, be sure to respond.

There are simple ways that parents and caregivers can keep up-to-date with kids’ lives. 

• Read class newsletters and school flyers/smores. Talk about them at home.
• Check the school website
• Go to school events
• Greet the bus driver
• Meet teachers and counselors at “Back to School” night or reach out by email
• Share phone numbers with other kids’ parents

Encourage Kids to Do What They Love

Help kids take part in activities, interests, and hobbies they like. Kids can volunteer, play sports, sing in a chorus, or join a youth group or school club. These activities give kids a chance to have fun and meet others with the same interests. They can build confidence and friendships that help protect kids from bullying.

Model How to Treat Others with Kindness and Respect

Kids learn from adults’ actions. By treating others with kindness and respect, adults show the kids in their lives that there is no place for bullying. Even if it seems like they are not paying attention, kids are watching how adults manage stress and conflict, as well as how they treat their friends, colleagues, and families.