Bullying and Cyberbullying

Subtopics

Cyberbullying

Physical Bullying

Verbal Bullying

Create a safer school environment by preventing bullying and cyberbullying.

Bullying is 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. While bullying can happen to anyone, some groups may be at greater risk. Bullying negatively affects those who are bullied, those who bully others, bystanders, and others in the school community. It is linked to many negative outcomes including impacts on mental and physical health, substance use, educational experience, violence, and suicide.

Reducing bullying in schools requires a multi-faceted and community-based approach that includes immediate response and appropriate consequences and support for serious incidents. As part of these efforts, schools can consider assessing the frequency, locations, and types of bullying behavior to better understand the current landscape and determine appropriate prevention and intervention plans. School-based programs that focus on building youth skills and positive environments can also be effective in decreasing incidences of bullying and associated risk factors.

Strategies to Consider

There are several strategies schools and districts can consider to prevent and address bullying. Some of these measures include:

Create a safe and positive school climate.
Implement social and emotional learning to help students build skills, manage emotions, and establish positive relationships.
Set and enforce policies that outline behavioral expectations and monitor places where bullying is more likely to occur.
Conduct teacher and staff training and promote classroom-based bullying prevention activities.
Engage families and students to promote communication and reinforce prevention strategies.

Featured Resources

These resources are a starting point for learning more about bullying and cyberbullying. Use these resources to help identify, address, and prevent bullying.

Webpage

StopBullying.gov

Department of Education, Department of Health and Human Services, and Department of Justice

This interagency website provides information from various government agencies on what bullying is, what cyberbullying is, who is at risk, and how schools and individuals can prevent and respond to bullying.

Webpage

Engage Parents and Youth

Department of Education, Department of Health and Human Services, and Department of Justice

This webpage provides tips and strategies for school staff to engage parents and youth to prevent bullying at school. It includes information on the benefits of parent and youth engagement, how parents and youth can contribute, and school safety committees as a strategy to involve parents and students in bullying prevention.

Guidance

How to Prevent Cyberbullying: A Guide for Parents, Caregivers, and Youth

Department of Health and Human Services, 2021

This guide helps parents, caregivers, and youth learn ways to identify, prevent, and address cyberbullying.

Filter Resources

All Bullying and Cyberbullying Resources

Access additional resources below to learn more about bullying and cyberbullying and related best practices. Use the filters to sort resources based on subtopic and/or preparedness action.

Report

Report on Indicators of School Crime and Safety: 2023

Department of Education, and Department of Justice, 2024

This annual report examines the state of school crime and safety. It covers topics such as active shooter incidents, criminal victimization, bullying, safety and security measures, and criminal incidents at postsecondary institutions.

Guidance

How to Prevent Cyberbullying: A Guide for Parents, Caregivers, and Youth

Department of Health and Human Services, 2021

This guide helps parents, caregivers, and youth learn ways to identify, prevent, and address cyberbullying.

Report

Model Programs Guide Literature Review: Bullying and Cyberbullying

Department of Justice, 2023

This literature review summarizes research related to the scope of bullying in the United States; different types of bullying; predictors, risk factors, protective factors, and consequences of bullying; and interventions focused on prevention and/or reduction.