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Cyberbullying and School Bullying: A Student’s Guide to Taking Action

Posted in Health & Wellness on September 18, 2024

teenagers bullying

Bullying is a significant issue in schools, impacting many students emotionally and socially. According to the 2022 School Crime Supplement, nearly 1 in 5 students has experienced bullying. In our previous blog, we focused on parents and understanding the legal impacts of school bullying and harassment in Ohio. In this one, we will focus on students and explore what they can do if they feel bullied or witness a problem.

Key Facts About Bullying

  • 19.2% of students were bullied in the 2021-2022 school year.
  • Girls (21.8%) are more likely to be bullied than boys (16.7%)​.
  • Students identifying as two or more races (30.1%) report the highest rates of bullying​.
  • Bullying is most common in 6th grade (26.9%) and decreases with age.
  • 39% of bullying happens in classrooms.
  • 37.5% occurs in hallways, and 21.6% takes place online or via text​.

What You Can Do to Stop Bullying

Bullying hurts everyone. Whether you’re being bullied or know someone who is, there are steps you can take to help.

I Think I’m Being Bullied

  1. Speak Up: If you feel uncomfortable or hurt by someone’s actions or words, speaking up is important. Find a trusted adult—such as a parent, teacher, school counselor, or family member—and let them know what’s happening. You don’t have to handle this alone, and it’s always better to communicate your feelings and experiences rather than letting the situation continue. A trusted adult can offer support, help you navigate the situation, and ensure appropriate steps are taken to address the bullying.
  2. Learn What Bullying Looks Like: Understanding what constitutes bullying is crucial. Bullying can take many forms, including physical aggression, verbal abuse, social exclusion, and cyberbullying. Familiarize yourself with these behaviors to better recognize if you’re being targeted. Bullying often involves repeated, intentional harm or intimidation, and it can affect your emotional and physical well-being.
  3. Stay Calm and Report It: If you recognize bullying, stay calm and composed. While it might be difficult, maintaining your composure can help you think more clearly and respond more effectively. Document the incidents if possible, including dates, times, and details. Report the bullying to a trusted adult or authority figure. They can help you understand your options and work to stop the bullying.
  4. Seek Immediate Help if Necessary: If you ever feel that you’re in immediate danger of harming yourself or someone else, seek help right away. This could mean calling a crisis hotline, contacting a mental health professional, or contacting emergency services. Your safety is the top priority, and there are resources available to support you in urgent situations.

I’m Being Bullied Online or Through Text

Bullying doesn’t just happen at school anymore. It can happen anywhere—through texts, social media, or other online platforms. This kind of bullying, called cyberbullying, can be just as harmful, if not more, because it can follow you wherever you go.

Here are some steps you can take to protect yourself and learn how to react:

  1. Don’t Respond Right Away: It might be tempting to reply when someone says something hurtful, but that can make things worse. Take a step back, breathe, and don’t engage.
  2. Save the Evidence: Screenshots, texts, or messages can be valuable evidence if you need to report the bullying. Keep records of any harmful or threatening messages you receive.
  3. Block or Mute the Bully: Most social media platforms and messaging apps have options to block or mute people who are harassing you. You don’t have to keep seeing their messages.
  4. Report the Bullying: Social media platforms like Instagram, Snapchat, and TikTok have features that allow you to report harmful behavior. Reporting can result in the bully being blocked from the platform or getting their harmful content removed.
  5. Tell a Trusted Adult: Just like with bullying at school, speaking up is important. Tell a parent, teacher, or trusted adult what’s happening so they can help you figure out the best way to handle it.
  6. Adjust Your Privacy Settings: Review your social media privacy settings and ensure only people you trust can contact you or view your content. You can set your accounts to private, restrict who can comment on your posts, and limit who can message you.
  7. Please Don’t Keep it to Yourself: Cyberbullying can feel isolating, but you’re not alone. Talk to a friend or someone you trust to get support. Remember, you don’t deserve to be treated this way.
  8. Visit Helpful Resources: You can also find online resources and guides to help you better understand cyberbullying and how to deal with it. Websites like StopBullying.gov, Cyberbullying Research Center, or even social media safety centers have step-by-step guides on how to handle cyberbullying.

My Friend Is Being Bullied

If you see your friend being bullied, don’t stand by—your support can make all the difference.

  1. Talk to Your Friend: Let your friend know you’re there for them. Ask how they’re feeling and let them share what’s going on. Sometimes, just knowing someone cares can be a big relief.
  2. Speak Up: If it’s safe, speak up when bullying occurs. You don’t have to confront the bully directly, but you can say something simple like, “That’s not cool” or “Leave them alone.” Bullies often stop when they see others don’t approve of their behavior.
  3. Don’t Encourage the Bully: Even if you’re not directly involved, don’t laugh, join in, or encourage the bully in any way. Bullies thrive on attention, and ignoring them or walking away can take away their power.
  4. Get an Adult Involved: If the bullying is severe or ongoing, it’s important to let a trusted adult know. This could be a teacher, school counselor, or parent.
  5. Include Your Friend: Bullies often try to isolate their victims, making them feel alone. Invite your friends to hang out with you and your group, especially when they feel unsafe, like during lunch or after school.
  6. Don’t Be a Bystander: Bystanders who watch bullying happen without doing anything send the message that bullying is okay. Instead, try to take action in a way that feels safe. You can also encourage other friends to do the same. The more people who stand up against bullying, the less power the bully has.
  7. Be a Positive Example: Sometimes, being kind and inclusive is the best way to fight bullying. Encourage others to do the same. When people see a supportive environment, bullying is less likely to happen.
  8. Check in Regularly: After the bullying incident, continue to check on your friend. Ask how they’re doing and make sure they’re okay. Bullying can have long-term effects, and knowing someone still cares can help them heal.

Dealing with Tough Social Situations

Sometimes, bullying can be more about hurtful comments or being excluded. Here’s how to handle those situations:

I Said Something I Regret, and Now My Friends Won’t Talk to Me

  • Apologize to them privately and explain that you’re sorry for what you did. Show that you’re learning from your mistake.

Someone I Know Said Something Offensive

  • Talk to them in private. Let them know how their words affected you, but also try to understand where they were coming from. This way, you can resolve the issue without making it worse.

My Friends Are Excluding Someone and Want Me to Join In

  • Don’t participate. Tell your friends why you don’t want to join in, like saying, “I don’t agree with them, but I don’t want to be a bully.” Encourage your friends to be kind instead.

Bullying can have a significant impact on students’ lives, but by speaking up and getting involved, you can help stop it in its tracks. Whether it’s standing up for yourself or others, every action counts.