Bullying is still very much a part of life for school children in the United States. One out of every five students reports being bullied at some point during their academic careers. However, there is also a strong correlation between anti-bullying efforts and a decrease in incidences: studies have shown that school-based bullying prevention programs decrease bullying by 15–20%.
While anti-bullying efforts can and should be a school-wide initiative, they can also start right in the classroom. Read on for practical tips about bullying prevention and 20 anti-bullying activities to try with your students.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services defines bullying as any “unwanted, aggressive behavior among school aged children that involves a real or perceived power imbalance.” Actions that fall under the definition of bullying include:
While identifying bullying can sometimes be tricky, as a rule of thumb it must check two out of three of these bullets:
These actions don’t only affect the victims; both the perpetrators and victims can experience serious, lasting problems that affect their emotional, mental, and physical health.
Children who bully tend to focus on any characteristic that differentiates a student from their peers, including, but not limited to:
Bullying is categorized by type, with some instances fitting into multiple categories. By and large, teachers should look out for any of the following types and examples of bullying that are common in schools:
In addition to watching for signs of bullying, teachers should also be aware of the potential for bullying towards students with certain characteristics, and prepare to have serious classroom discussions on the importance of respect and empathy towards others at the beginning of every school year.
Learn how to be a force for good with the Bullying Prevention in Our Schools Certificate.
Bullying behavior often stems from a mix of personal and environmental factors. Kids who feel secure and supported at home, school, and among their peers are less likely to bully others. But some children lack these supports and may use bullying to cope with their own challenges, which can include the following:
Some kids bully to gain or keep social power, fit in with a particular group, or control who belongs and who doesn’t. This kind of behavior helps them assert their status and influence over others.
Sometimes, parents or caregivers respond in ways that don’t teach healthy communication or emotional control, leaving kids without the skills to manage their feelings in positive ways. Children from homes where aggression or violence is common, or where emotional support is missing, might act out by bullying.
Kids who bully might have experienced bullying themselves, or they may struggle with low self-esteem and insecurity. They may not understand other people’s emotions well or lack the tools to handle social situations in healthy ways. Bullying can become a way to feel more powerful or to express difficult feelings.
When bullying isn’t addressed effectively or when students feel excluded or stigmatized, bullying behavior can increase. Schools that promote a supportive, inclusive atmosphere tend to experience less bullying.
It’s important to remember that bullying behavior can be changed. With support from parents, teachers, counselors, and mental health professionals, kids who bully can learn new social skills and develop healthier ways to connect with others. If a student is bullying others, reaching out to a trusted adult can be a crucial step toward change.
Teachers can be the first line of intervention in instances of student bullying. To help put anti-bullying initiatives into action, many teachers implement activities and/or classroom management steps that target bullying behavior. Here are some activities you can try in your classroom today, separated into age groups.
Young students benefit most from concrete, visual, and interactive activities that help them understand kindness, respect, and the impact of their words and actions.
Middle schoolers can handle more abstract concepts and peer-group dynamics. The following activities focus on building empathy, leadership, and digital awareness.
High school students benefit from more autonomy, critical thinking, and leadership opportunities, as well as nuanced discussions on social identity and digital responsibility.
Every October, schools and communities across the United States come together to observe National Bullying Prevention Month. Founded in 2006 by PACER’s National Bullying Prevention Center, this month-long campaign promotes kindness and inclusion while raising awareness about bullying prevention.
Originally just one week, the event expanded in 2010 to the entire month, providing a platform for schools, parents, and organizations to join forces in creating safer, more supportive environments for students. National Bullying Prevention Month encourages everyone to take action locally, whether through hosting educational events, sharing resources, or sparking important conversations about respect and empathy.
The campaign has helped change the way bullying is seen, from an unfortunate “rite of passage” to a serious issue that can have lasting emotional and mental effects. Through partnerships with groups like the National PTA and the National Education Association, PACER has equipped communities with tools to better respond to bullying and support all students.
A highlight of the month is World Day of Bullying Prevention®, created by STOMP Out Bullying® and observed on the first Monday of October. On this day, people nationwide are encouraged to wear blue, symbolizing peace and confidence, to show their commitment to standing against bullying. The simple act of “blueing up” helps amplify the message that bullying prevention matters every day.
Many schools have in-house anti-bullying resources and strategies that they implement at various grade levels and school-wide. However, if you’re looking for more classroom-specific information or new exercises to share with your teaching cohort, consider these outlets:
If a more formal education opportunity is what you’re looking for, there are opportunities in the form of continuing education credits and certificates. For example, at USD we offer a Bullying Prevention in Our Schools certificate program designed for K–12 teachers, counselors, administrators, and other school staff. This program will help school officials better identify, prevent, and address bullying by building a “toolkit” for improving school and classroom safety.
Bullying is any unwanted, aggressive behavior that involves a real or perceived power imbalance. Bullying includes actions such as making threats, spreading rumors, attacking someone physically or verbally, and excluding someone from a group on purpose. The behavior is repeated, or has the potential to be repeated, over time.
In school settings, the four main types of bullying are:
Anti-bullying activities in schools have been proven to be very effective. Research shows that school-based anti-bullying programs reduced incidences of bullying by 15–20% overall.
Cultivate a positive and inclusive environment where respect and kindness are modeled and expected. This includes teaching students about empathy, encouraging open communication, setting clear rules against bullying, and involving families and communities in prevention efforts. Early intervention and consistent responses to bullying behavior also help stop it before it escalates.
Anti-bullying programs are formal initiatives used by schools and communities to reduce bullying and promote safe environments. These programs often include education about what bullying is, training for students and staff on how to recognize and respond to bullying, support services for victims, and strategies to foster positive peer relationships. They aim to empower everyone to play a role in preventing bullying.
Teachers can stop bullying by actively creating a classroom culture that does not tolerate aggressive or exclusionary behavior. This means setting clear expectations, watching for signs of bullying, intervening immediately when bullying occurs, and supporting both victims and students who bully to change their behavior. Efforts should extend beyond the classroom to involve parents and collaborate with school counselors to address bullying effectively.
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