Core message
Bullying is a form of abuse.
It can cause:
- Physical harm
- Emotional harm
- Mental harm
It is never acceptable, no matter the reason.
What bullying can do
Bullying can lead to:
- Low self-esteem
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Relationship difficulties
- Long-term emotional distress
- Trauma responses, including symptoms linked to Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Where bullying can happen
Bullying is not limited to one place. It can happen in:
- Schools
- Colleges
- Universities
- Workplaces
- Online platforms
- Text messages
- Emails
- Social media
- Gaming and chat apps
Modern technology means bullying can now follow people everywhere, not just in person.
Why do people bully others?
There is no single reason, but common factors include:
1. Learned behaviour
- Seeing others bully
- Growing up in environments where bullying is normalised
- Copying behaviour from peers or media
2. Insecurity
- Feeling unsure about themselves
- Trying to feel powerful by putting others down
3. Need for control or status
- Wanting to dominate others
- Trying to gain attention or social power
4. Lack of empathy or awareness
- Not understanding the impact of their behaviour
- Ignoring the harm caused
Important safeguarding point
Even if there are reasons behind bullying:
👉 Nothing excuses harming others
Support and help should always be available
People who are bullied should have access to:
- School safeguarding staff
- Workplace HR or safeguarding teams
- Counselling and therapy
- Support services
- Helplines (e.g. child and youth support lines)
- Mental health services
Early support can reduce long-term harm.
Technology and bullying
Technology and the internet can be:
- Helpful for communication and learning
- But also increase bullying risk
Online bullying can:
- Follow someone home
- Be constant and repeated
- Spread quickly to others
- Feel harder to escape
How to keep children safe from online bullying
1. Open communication
- Talk regularly about online experiences
- Encourage children to speak up without fear
2. Privacy and safety settings
- Use privacy controls on apps and social media
- Limit who can contact or message them
3. Monitoring and awareness
- Know what platforms children are using
- Be aware of risks in games, chats, and social media
4. Teach safe behaviour online
- Do not respond to bullying messages
- Block and report harmful users
- Do not share personal information
5. Save evidence
- Screenshots of bullying messages
- Reports of repeated behaviour
6. Encourage support seeking
- Trusted adults
- School safeguarding leads
- Online safety services
- Helplines such as child support services
Key safeguarding message
- Bullying is abuse
- It can happen anywhere, including online
- It can cause serious mental health harm
- Support and intervention are essential
- No one deserves to be bullied
Easy Read summary
- Bullying is a type of abuse
- It can hurt people physically and emotionally
- It can cause anxiety, depression, and trauma
- It can happen in person or online
- People bully for different reasons, but it is never okay
- Help and support should always be available
- Children need support to stay safe online
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