What Teens Can Do

Bullying stops us from being who we want to be, and prevents us from expressing ourselves freely, and might even make us feel unsafe. If you are bullied, say something! If you are bullying, it’s not cool!

I might be being bullied

• SPEAK UP: If you feel uncomfortable with the comments or actions of someone… tell someone! It is better to let a trusted adult know, than to let the problem continue.
• Get familiar with what bullying is and what it is not. If you recognize any of the descriptions, you should stay calm, stay respectful, and tell an adult as soon as possible.
• If you feel like you are at risk of harming yourself or others get help now!

Someone is bullying me online or via text message

• Remember, bullying does not only happen at school. It can happen anywhere, including through texting, the internet and social media.
• Learn more about cyberbullying and how to respond if it is happening to you.

I don’t get bullied, but my friend does

• Learn how you can be more than a bystander.

I want to contribute to anti-bullying initiatives in my school or community

The Federal Partners in Bullying Prevention invite you to take action to make a difference in your community! By following the steps in this youth engagement toolkit, you can join other youth leaders across the country and the Federal Partners to organize a bullying prevention social and educational event.

• Youth Engagement Toolkit - PDF
• Use tools like the Youth Leaders' Toolkit - PDF to work with younger kids.
• Read about how other teens have gotten involved.
• Work with your school to contribute your views on bullying.

I did something I regret and my friends won’t talk to me anymore. What can I do?

• If possible, try to speak privately with each of them to offer an apology.
• Acknowledge that what you said or did offended or hurt them.
• Explain that you are trying to learn from your mistake and ask if they will help you understand how it made them feel.

Someone I know said something that really offended me and my friends. I want to call them out. What should I do?

• If someone you know said something that hurt you, talk to them privately. Tell them how their words or actions made you feel.
• Try to learn more about what was behind their words before judging or blaming them. Talk it out. Listen.
• Agree together to have an open conversation and learn from each other so you can both move on from the incident without causing more harm.
• If the person continues to be offensive, walk away and don’t engage with their behavior.

My friends want to give the “silent treatment” to another student because of something they said, and they want me to join in. What should I do?

• Don’t participate in public or online shaming. You don’t need to make a public comment about it.
• Speak to your friends and explain why you don’t want to do it. For example, you could say, “I disagree with them, but I don’t want to bully anyone.” You can also encourage your friends not to do it.