Prevention

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Bullying is an unwanted aggressive behavior characterized by repetition (i.e., it is repeated or has a high likelihood of being repeated), and a power imbalance that is observed or perceived (i.e., youth bullying others have more physical and/or social power than bullied youth). The behavior is intentional and can result …

Be Someone’s Hero About one in five teens reports being bullied, which is harmful, but preventable. This video will support a larger effort on the VetoViolence Facebook page during National Bullying Prevention Awareness Month in October 2017.

Image School climate describes the quality and character of school life and is an important factor in students’ social and emotional experiences. A healthy school environment is safe, inclusive, respectful, and free from violence and bullying. One of the easiest ways to create a positive school climate is by being …

Image Everyone involved in a bullying situation is affected. A recent study on cumulative experiences of bullying found that youth involvement in bullying over time – either as the one who bullies, the one who is bullied, or as a bystander who helps bullies – resulted in multiple negative outcomes. …

Image It’s summertime! Now that the school year has come to an end, students will soon engage in different summer activities like sports, arts, and faith-based camps. These and other types of extra-curricular activities help children develop skills, find new friends, pursue their interests, and become involved in their community. …

Mentoring can take many forms, from formal relationships in professional settings, to informal relationships based on specific goals or activities. Role modeling and mentoring youth on positive social behavior and bullying prevention doesn’t have to be formalized. Mentoring can be done in daily interactions, classroom settings, group activities, online, and …

Image After a year of virtual and hybrid schooling, many children are returning to in-person learning. This is welcome news. In addition to the academic and social engagement schools provide, they also offer critical services and benefits that include school supported resources like meal programs, special education, mental health services, …

Image January is National Mentoring Month, an annual observance to celebrate mentoring and the positive effects mentors have on young people. Generally, mentoring describes an older, more experienced person providing support and advice to a younger person (or mentee). Mentors can help their mentees build skills, develop relationships, overcome challenges, …

Going back to school is a milestone for parents, caregivers and children. It’s a time of transition when children and teens may be both excited and nervous about entering a new grade or school. As you prepare for this new school year, take time to reflect with your child about …

Image Prevent Bullying Every Day As reported on the 2019 Indicators of School Crime and Safety report, about 20% of students ages 12-18 reported being bullied in 2017. Among students ages 12-18 who reported being bullied during the school year, 15% were bullied online or by text. National Bullying Prevention …

For children, summer is a time for rest, family vacations, camp, and fun with friends. With a more relaxed schedule, online gaming, texting, and time on social media may also increase. The summer break can be a great time for parents to refresh bullying prevention strategies, strengthen communication with their …

Image Going back to school this year looks a bit different for all students. Some students are attending class in person, some are learning from home, and others may be doing both. Building a safe and supportive learning environment for all kinds of learning is key to preventing bullying. Bullying …

Now that September has rolled around again, it can mean only one thing:  back to school!  In the excitement of meeting new teachers, getting back on the school schedule, carpools, and busses to catch, it is also a great time to help kids prevent bullying.  Stopbullying.gov is full of resources …

Image Most teenagers have smartphones. Even before social distancing guidelines took effect, teenagers spent a lot of time on their phones and online. Social media and online platforms provide ways to connect and share thoughts with friends, acquaintances, and others. It can also be a place where conversations can quickly …

Bullying remains a serious issue for students and their families, and efforts to reduce bullying concern policy makers, administrators, and educators. According to U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan, “As schools become safer, students are better able to thrive academically and socially. The Department, along with our federal partners and …

Image 30th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) This month marks the 30th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which was signed into law on July 26, 1990. The ADA prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability and guarantees that people with disabilities have the same …

Division of Violence Prevention, National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Parents help their kids form healthy relationships that last a lifetime.  Kids whose parents monitor their behavior and have consistent rules are more likely to have healthy and close relationships with their peers, …

On April 27, 2020, the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention at the Department of Justice hosted an online webinar, “Understanding and Combatting Cyberbullying and Digital/Online Hate.” Watch the Webinar Objectives To provide an overview of cyber hate and cyberbullying and how they reach and affect our nation’s youth …

The Federal Partners in Bullying Prevention, a group of representatives from across the federal government came up with a great way of having youth and adults partner to hold a dynamic bullying prevention initiative. We organized this national youth engagement effort to combat bullying and create a culture of kindness …

Image Join the Twitter Chat on Mental Health and Bullying May 20 at 2 p.m. ET In honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, StopBullying.gov invites you to join the Twitter Chat on Mental Health and Bullying May 20 at 2 p.m. EST with our partners the American Public Health Association, …

Image During this time of social distancing, parents and caregivers play an important role in helping children stay healthy. This includes helping children remain positive, active, and connected to their friends and peers. Silence or lack of contact with friends can make some children feel rejected, insecure, or confused. Parents …

Bullying stops teens from being who they want to be, prevents them from expressing themselves freely, and might even make them feel unsafe. Bullying can happen anywhere, both in person and online. In this age of constant connectivity, and understanding the value teens place on their social networks, it’s only …

Image Mentors can be protective factors for youth Mentors are dependable adults that can help youth build trust, form new relationships and develop important skills. Mentors are role models for youth that exist outside of the family unit. Mentors can support youth to develop self-awareness, build skills to manage their …

Image Experiencing bullying at school can impact a student’s mental health, wellbeing, and academic achievement. According to CDC’s Youth Risk Behavior Survey, in 2017, 19% of U.S. high school students were bullied at school, and 6.7% didn’t go to school at least one day during the previous 30 days because …

Parents, school staff, and other adults in the community can help kids prevent bullying by talking about it, building a safe school environment, and creating a community-wide bullying prevention strategy. Research tells us that children really do look to parents and caregivers for advice and help on tough decisions. Sometimes …

Image National Bullying Prevention Awareness Month is a great time to mobilize your community to develop a plan to prevent and address bullying. Parents, educators, elected officials, students, health and safety providers, recreation, faith-based, and business leaders all have a role to play in keeping children and teens in your …

Bullying takes many forms. It happens in many contexts. Because bullying is complex, there is no one-size-fits-all solution for it. “Student Problem Identification and Resolution of Issues Together” (SPIRIT ) is a service program that CRS delivers to schools across the nation. The program helps schools prevent bullying by focusing …

Image Bullying may seriously affect the mental health and well being of children and youth. Parents, teachers, coaches, and other youth-serving adults are in positions where they are able to notice when there are signs of mental distress or bullying behavior. Research suggests that children and youth who are bullied …

There are many warning signs that may indicate that someone is either being bullied or bullying others. Recognizing the warning signs is an important first step in taking action against bullying. Not all children who are bullied or are bullying others ask for help.. Deborah Temkin is the bullying prevention …

Image Bullying can happen anywhere, not just at school. When the power of a community is brought together to address it, bullying can be prevented. Community-wide strategies can help identify and support children who are bullied, redirect the behavior of children who bully, and change the attitudes of adults and …

October is National Bullying Prevention Month, and it’s important to remember that bullying can threaten students’ physical and emotional safety at school, and can adversely impact their ability to learn. The best way to address bullying is to stop it before it starts. On October 24th, the Federal Partners in …

Image Adverse childhood experiences, or ACEs, are potentially traumatic events that can have negative, lasting effects on a person. For children and youth in situations of prolonged and repeated abuse – like bullying and cyberbullying – the impact can affect their development, the way they interact with others, and how …

When federal leaders began a major effort to raise awareness about bullying prevention, it seemed that for every parent, teacher and community advocate who supported our mission, there was another to insist that bullying was either a normal part of growing up or “kids just being kids.” Eleven years later, …

Image You care about the children and teens in your family, neighborhood, and community. You want to help prevent bullying, but might not know where to start. There are many things you can do to prevent or address bullying. You can have an impact, whether thru seemingly small, in-the-moment actions …

Editor’s note: This back-to-school blog was originally published by the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention in 2018. For the latest statistics on bullying, visit our Facts About Bullying section. The beginning of a new school year is an exciting time for most students. Unfortunately, …

Don’t be a bystander when it comes to bullying. Be an Upstander! StopBullying.gov has new resources to help you safely upstand to bullying. For example, our new Bystander Fact Sheet details the different roles bystanders play in stopping or enabling the bullying behavior. We have also released the new Become …

Image Students with a behavioral, emotional, or developmental disability are at a greater risk for bullying – in fact, according to a study published in the American Academy of Pediatrics (2006), the rate is about twice as high as typical kids. In our state of Delaware, public school enrollment of …

February 26 – March 4, 2018 is Eating Disorders Awareness Week and an opportunity to talk about the connection between bullying and eating disorders. Weight-based teasing and bullying have been identified as common experiences for youth, particularly for those who may be heavier. Children whose peers tease them about their …

You might think that an NFL player wouldn’t know what it feels like to be bullied, but I do. When I was a kid, classmates sometimes would pick on me and make fun of the gap between my front teeth. What they didn’t know is that my gap is like …

Anticipate potential problems or risks with your child Having conversations about phone use and cyberbullying before any problems arise can set the tone that you are open and will be thoughtful, if they should happen to need you. Remember if they do not come to you at all when things …

When kids are electronically (cyber) bullied, it can be hard for parents to detect, until it becomes an overwhelming issue. A cyberbully can be a close friend or a faceless entity, a single force or a group of people. Often kids and teens don’t share their online interactions with their parents, until …

Measuring prevention of bullying can be difficult. Over time, we can see if the number of incidents is decreasing, but determining if prevention efforts are working along the way remains a challenge. Recently, a team of bullying and violence prevention experts came together to figure out how best to measure …

Suicide and bullying are public health problems that affect youth. Suicide was the second leading cause of death among youth ages 10-24 in 2015. While most youth who are involved in bullying do not engage in suicide-related behaviors, those who have been bullied or who bully others are more likely …

Kindness Matters While being kind might sound easy, it is complex. If kindness was simple, then everyone would be kind and no one would experience meanness and bullying. Imagine a world where kindness is the norm. Is it possible to create homes, schools, and communities where kindness is the norm? …

How do you think a grade school class would react if a classmate suddenly became silent? They may not know what they are seeing, so they speculate and create stories about what is going on. Maybe he contracted an illness. Maybe she is so tired she was sleeping while awake. …

Bullying is a form of youth violence – and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has resources states and communities can use to stop it. Bullying is a serious public health problem. Bullying can result in physical injury, social and emotional distress, and even death. In 2015, about …

Pediatric health care providers are an important, front line, family-trusted group that can not only detect the warning signs of victimization, but are also in a position to advise parents and advocate for their patients. It is important for health care providers to be prepared to screen and counsel children …

Schools across the U.S. frequently confront the issue of bullying among their student population. However, identifying the nature of a specific bullying problem (including its symptoms and causes) in a given school—and implementing solutions that work—is complicated. While research on evidence-based programs is helpful in guiding school personnel toward solutions …

School-based bullying has decreased for the first time since data have been collected, which is very encouraging. Yet, certain groups of youth may be at greater risk for bullying due to a perceived power imbalance. During bullying prevention awareness month, we featured the voices of some of these youth including …

Unity Day is Wednesday, October 19. PACER’s National Bullying Prevention Center started Unity Day in 2011. The purpose of Unity Day is to demonstrate that we are together against bullying. We are united for kindness, acceptance and inclusion of all students. Get involved! Wear and share the color ORANGE on Unity Day! Join …

This month, the world comes together to raise awareness for bullying prevention and to reflect on where we have been, where we are now, and where we hope to be in the years to come. This year’s Bullying Prevention Awareness Month marks the 10th anniversary of its initiation by PACER’s …

By the time Landon – a high school student in Massachusetts – entered his freshman year, he had already been in and out of the hospital for multiple suicide attempts. He had been pulled out of school because he wasn’t able to get through the day, and he needed medication …

Community policing is a philosophy revolving around the concept of law enforcement and the community working together to ensure public safety for all in the community. By engaging in partnerships, problem solving, and organizational change, a law enforcement agency can approach public safety in a comprehensive, proactive method. Community policing …

Youth-adult partnerships involve multiple youth working together with multiple adults to address issues that are important to the overall health of people, groups and communities. A goal of these partnerships is to stimulate youth to develop social responsibility – a crucial factor in the promotion of health and well-being. Research in youth-adult …

States and districts are increasingly in support of policies and practices that shift school discipline away from zero tolerance, such as suspension and expulsion, to discipline that is focused on teaching and engagement.  To this effort, districts and states are rethinking discipline and adopting both Restorative Justice Practices (RJP) and Bullying Prevention …

The library is one of the safe places at school – where everyone can feel welcome and comfortable asking for advice and resources. Librarians are nurturers, caregivers and protectors. We take this role especially seriously at our middle school, where 57 percent of our students qualify for free or reduced …

Research confirms what many public health practitioners, educators, parents, and children have long known—that bullying is a serious issue facing our nation.  In October of 2014, HRSA’s Maternal and Child Health Bureau shared its vision to activate support on this important challenge by establishing bullying prevalence as one of 15 …

Bullying affects children and young adults in every U.S. state and jurisdiction. Across the nation, we’ve seen communities work together in response to this issue, investing their resources to increase bullying prevention efforts and create safer environments for youth. Whether through ongoing bullying prevention trainings for adults who work with …

At the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, we believe it’s important to raise awareness about the effects of bullying. Together with our partners, we work to provide resources and support for those in emotional distress, including individuals who have been bullied. In popular media, bullying behavior is often linked to suicide …

Throughout the year, StopBullying.gov featured a series of blog posts co-authored by bullying prevention subject matter experts at the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) and other key partner organizations. The series, called “Take Action Today” shared compelling and personal stories of teachers, school nurses, law enforcement officials, and others …

This month, across the world, from New York to New Zealand, thousands of schools, communities, organizations, and individuals will come together to release new resources, campaigns, and efforts aimed at raising awareness for bullying prevention. Nearly a decade old, Bullying Prevention Awareness month was initiated by PACER’s National Bullying Prevention …

The earlier we start, the better the outcomes. Brain scientists, educators, economists and public health experts agree that the foundation for healthy relationships begins at birth. The earlier children can adapt and develop critical social-emotional skills – like attentiveness, persistence and impulse control – the earlier they can engage in …

Bullying is more than a problem of one child bullying another. The power imbalance that defines bullying is also reflected in classroom social relations. Whereas those who bully are frequently considered “cool” or popular, their targets are “uncool” are typically rejected by classmates. Those who witness bullying play a key …

Bullying is tough on all kids. A few years back, I had to deal with a situation in a middle school that exemplifies this. There was a young lady who had been called terrible names on the bus for more than a month.  As her frustration and humiliation became too …

Big Bird changes himself to try to become a member of the “Good Birds Club” in a Sesame Street episode developed specifically to address bullying. © 2015 Sesame Workshop. “Sesame Street” and its logo are trademarks of Sesame Workshop. All rights reserved. Sesame Street has always been a destination for …

Important new efforts to address sexual harassment and teen dating violence are appearing at high schools and colleges across the country.  Teachers, faculty members and young people themselves are speaking up like never before on this issue and are eager to stop the violence before it even starts. An important …

The Anti-Defamation League’s A WORLD OF DIFFERENCE® Institute works with schools and communities around the country to build safe, inclusive and respectful learning environments for students of all ages. ADL developed its education program on the notion that in order to develop academic knowledge and skills, students need to be …

There are more than 14,000 School Resource Officers (SROs) serving in elementary, middle and high schools across the United States.  As sworn law enforcement officers, they serve as a security presence on school grounds, but also as educators, informal counselors, and role models to the students they work hard to …

In the post below, Carolyn Duff, president of the National Association of School Nurses reflects upon the unique role school-located health professionals play in bullying prevention. Sue and Peggy work within miles of each other at W.B. Simpson Elementary School and Polytech High School, just outside of Dover, Delaware. As …

Alongside communities across the country, the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) is promoting Bullying Prevention Awareness Month. This important observance is held every October. In 2004, HRSA launched the first Federal anti-bullying campaign to raise awareness about this very serious issue. Ten years later the extent and impact of bullying, …

In the post below, Tom Cochran and Lee Hirsch discuss their new joint initiative to spark action on bullying prevention nationwide. Lansing Mayor Virg Bernero (Left), Lansing School District (LSD) Public Safety Director Cordelia Black (Middle), LSD Superintendent Yvonne Caamal Canul (Right), along with LSD Student Services Director Susan Land …

Every October, communities around the country participate in National Bullying Prevention Awareness Month. This year, a new resource from the Institute of Medicine (IOM) and the National Research Council (NRC) is available to support awareness month activities.  Building Capacity to Reduce Bullying is a new report summarizing a two-day workshop …

Mary Pat King is the Director of Programs and Partnerships at the National Parent Teacher Association (PTA). In this role, Mary Pat has helped develop new strategies for engaging parents and students as leaders in efforts to improve school climate, and as a result, prevent bullying in communities nationwide. The …

Natasha Herring, a manager with D.C. Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR), recently got involved with StopBullying.gov when she identified a unique need to address bullying in her local parks and facilities. The post below reflects her story on how D.C. Parks and Recreation is taking action to prevent bullying. …

The United National Indian Tribal Youth (UNITY) organization was an early partner in federal efforts to stop bullying. For the past 37 years, our goal has been to foster the spiritual, mental, physical, and social development of American Indian and Alaska Native youth and to help build a strong, unified, …

Understanding what excites and concerns youth is one of the critical ingredients to Cartoon Network’s success. That’s why we knew we had to act when we learned that nearly 85 percent of our youth audience was concerned about bullying and needed information on how to prevent it. When we first …

In my 27 years as a school psychologist, I have seen an increase in how many students and families are concerned about bullying. I have witnessed first-hand the damage it can cause –not only to the children being bullied, but also to those who witness bullying, and even to kids who bully.  Thankfully, …

The conversations we’ve had with community members across the country have taught us that training tools are among the most sought-after resources for promoting bullying prevention research and best practices. Guided by feedback from community members, the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) created the resources that would empower even …

This month, groups across the country committed to stop bullying will release new resources, campaigns, and efforts aimed at bringing awareness to this important issue facing our youth.  This month serves as a reminder that bullying prevention must be addressed, and one way to accomplish this is through educating ourselves, …

Bullying prevention is a community endeavor. The more resources a community can use to address the problem, the better the chances of having a real impact. Most communities focus their bullying reduction efforts on addressing the problem in their schools. G.R.E.A.T. (Gang Resistance Education And Training) is an evidence-based gang …

Bullying among young children is not uncommon. When young children–who often differ in physical size, skill level, and family experience–get together, patterns of hurtful behavior often emerge. Children may be mean to each other by making mean faces, saying threatening things, grabbing objects, pushing others aside, or refusing to play …

This month, groups across the country committed to stop bullying will release new resources, campaigns, and efforts aimed at bringing awareness to this important issue facing our youth. Bullying Prevention Month is not new. In fact, it has been around for several years. What started as an awareness week initiated …

Across the country, local leaders are stepping up to address bullying in their communities. Now that more and more people are taking a stand, many have asked for resources to help them become more effective. In response, StopBullying.gov pulled together research-based recommendations to provide some guidance. We know that every …

Parents, school staff, and other caring adults have a role to play in preventing bullying. They can:  Help kids understand bullying. Talk about what bullying is and how to stand up to it safely. Tell kids bullying is unacceptable. Make sure kids know how to get help. Keep the lines …

Bullying can threaten students’ physical and emotional safety at school and can negatively impact their ability to learn. The best way to address bullying is to stop it before it starts. There are a number of things school staff can do to make schools safer and prevent bullying. Training school …

 Stop Bullying on the Spot  When adults respond quickly and consistently to bullying behavior they send the message that it is not acceptable. Research shows this can stop bullying behavior over time. There are simple steps adults can take to stop bullying on the spot and keep kids safe. Do: …

Assessments—such as surveys—can help schools determine the frequency and locations of bullying behavior. They can also gauge the effectiveness of current prevention and intervention efforts. Knowing what’s going on can help school staff select appropriate prevention and response strategies. Assessments involve asking school or community members—including students—about their experiences and …

Whether you’ve just stopped bullying on the spot or a child has reached out to you for help, follow the steps below to determine the best way to proceed. Get the Facts Keep all the involved children separate.  Get the story from several sources, both adults and kids. Listen without …

School staff can do a great deal to prevent bullying and protect students, but they can’t do it alone. Parents and youth also have a role to play in preventing bullying at school. One mechanism for engaging parents and youth, a school safety committee, can bring the community together to …

School staff can help prevent bullying by establishing and enforcing school rules and policies that clearly describe how students are expected to treat each other. Consequences for violations of the rules should be clearly defined as well.  Types of Rules and Policies Integrating Rules and Policies into a School’s Culture …

A safe and supportive school climate can help prevent bullying. Safety starts in the classroom. Students should also feel and be safe everywhere on campus—in the cafeteria, in the library, in the rest rooms, on the bus, and on the playground. Everyone at school can work together to create a …

Bullying can be prevented, especially when the power of a community is brought together. Community-wide strategies can help identify and support children who are bullied, redirect the behavior of children who bully, and change the attitudes of adults and youth who tolerate bullying behaviors in peer groups, schools, and communities.  …

Extra-curricular activities are a great way to provide youth with opportunities. It lets children follow their interests and be involved in activities outside the classroom. Whether it’s sports, arts, cultural and faith-based groups or other programs, youth can learn new skills through hands-on practice, creative projects, and teamwork. They can …

All kids involved in bullying—whether they are bullied, bully others, or see bullying—can be affected. It is important to support all kids involved to make sure the bullying doesn’t continue and effects can be minimized. Support Kids Who are Bullied Address Bullying Behavior Support Bystanders Who Witness Bullying Support Kids …

Someone who witnesses bullying, either in person or online, is a bystander. Friends, students, peers, teachers, school staff, parents, coaches, and other youth-serving adults can be bystanders. With cyberbullying, even strangers can be bystanders. Youth involved in bullying play many different roles. Witnessing bullying is upsetting and affects the bystander, …

Resilience is the ability to overcome serious hardship and adapt well when faced with adverse experiences. Beyond being a personal characteristic or trait (i.e., “She is resilient.”), resilience also refers to the process of overcoming threats, difficulties, and traumas. Being resilient is an outcome of that process. Children and youth who experience adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) …