What is Bullying for kids?

A resource for kids who want to understand what bullying is.

Bullying happens when an individual or a group of people with more power, repeatedly and intentionally cause hurt or harm to another person or group of people who feel helpless to respond.

Bullying can continue over time, is often hidden from adults, and will probably continue if no action is taken.

If someone or a group of people are bullying you, the information below will help you find out what steps you can take to fix the problem.

What is bullying?
Bullying is a relationship problem and requires relationship-based solutions. Bullying is best solved in the environment in which it occurs, which for most young people is at school.

What bullying is not?

• single episodes of social rejection or dislike
• single episode acts of nastiness or spite
• random acts of aggression or intimidation
• mutual arguments, disagreements or fights.

These actions can cause great distress. However, they’re not examples of bullying unless someone is deliberately and repeatedly doing them.