Bullying Advice for Teenagers

1. Protect Yourself First

Your safety always comes first. Where possible, stay near people you trust, avoid isolated places where you feel threatened and move somewhere safe if bullying begins.

If someone threatens or hurts you, tell a trusted adult immediately.

2. Speak Up and Ask for Help

Tell a parent, teacher, school counsellor, youth worker or another adult you trust.

Explain what has happened and how it is affecting you. If the first person doesn't take action, keep asking until someone helps.

3. Stay Confident, Stay You

Bullying can damage your self-confidence, but it doesn't define who you are.

Spend time doing things you enjoy, whether that's music, sport, art, reading or gaming. Stay connected to people who value you.

4. Choose a Safe Response

You don't have to argue, retaliate or prove yourself to someone who bullies you.

Sometimes walking away or responding briefly and calmly can help. But if you feel unsafe, leave and seek support.

5. Keep a Record

If bullying happens repeatedly, keep a note of:

• What happened
• When and where it happened
• Who was involved or witnessed it
• Any messages or screenshots

This can help when reporting bullying to your school or another authority.

6. Remember That You Matter

You deserve to feel safe, included and respected. Someone else's hurtful behaviour does not determine your worth.

Talk about how you're feeling rather than carrying everything alone.

7. What Counts as Bullying?

Bullying commonly involves repeated behaviour intended to hurt, frighten, humiliate or exclude someone. It often involves an imbalance of power.

It can include physical aggression, threats, name-calling, spreading rumours, deliberate exclusion and online abuse.

Even a single serious incident deserves attention and support.

8. Learn More and Take Action

Understanding bullying can help you recognise harmful behaviour and explain what's happening to someone who can help.

Find out about cyberbullying, exclusion and other forms of bullying. You can also support kindness and inclusion in your school or community.

9. Find Support That Makes a Difference

You don't have to deal with bullying on your own. Ask for help, stay connected to supportive people and use trusted advice and resources.

Act Against Bullying provides free information and campaigns to encourage kindness, respect and inclusion.

If Bullying Happens Online

Save evidence where safe, use blocking and reporting tools, and check your privacy settings.

Tell a trusted adult, particularly if someone is threatening you, sharing private information or repeatedly contacting you against your wishes.