Five Ways to Stop a Bully in Their Tracks

School is meant to serve as a safe space for students. It is where they spend most of their day – away from family and the home they have always known. For some students, school is an escape from the atrocities of home. For others, it is a way to partake in community and kinship. Above all, it is the place where students come to learn; where adults pour knowledge into them in an effort to make them better. But, for the students who are victims of bullying, the concept of safety has become more illusion than reality. 

This time of joy, growth, and learning is instead overshadowed by fear, as bullying seeps into every corner of their lives. Beyond the playground and school corridors, the advent of social media has created an inescapable digital arena where cruelty festers around the clock, magnifying its psychological toll.

Bullying in all its forms – physical, verbal, and now digital – chips away at a child’s sense of self and security. Its impact is far-reaching, disrupting their emotional well-being, academic performance, and even physical health. The ubiquity of social media has only deepened these wounds, turning private torment into public humiliation. For children navigating these turbulent waters, understanding how to recognize and stop bullying is not just important… It’s essential.

The feeling of being targeted robs them of their right to feel safe, a cornerstone of healthy psychological development. Many report disrupted sleep, frequent stomachaches, or headaches stemming from stress. Over time, the emotional toll manifests physically, creating a feedback loop of declining health and morale.

“Bullying, especially with social media in the mix, can really knock kids about in ways we often don’t notice straight away. You might start to see them withdrawing from their peers, getting frustrated with school, or simply acting more anxious or down than usual. They might even complain of feeling ill or not sleeping well, all little signs that something’s not right,” says Linsey Lunny, CEO and Founder of Hidden Strength.

Social media platforms, while revolutionary in connecting people, have inadvertently become breeding grounds for bullying. The anonymity many platforms afford allows bullies to act without accountability, emboldening their actions. Online, taunts can multiply within seconds, amplifying harm in ways previously unimaginable.

The “always-on” nature of social media contributes to an environment where there’s no escape. Notifications keep the harassment alive at all hours, leaving victims trapped in a digital cycle of distress. What’s worse, the permanence of online interactions ensures that even deleted comments or posts leave a lasting imprint on the victim and those who witness it.

Five Steps to Stop a Bully

Empowering children to address bullying head-on is critical to their recovery and sense of agency. 

““Standing up to a bully can be daunting, and it may feel frightening, but it is a necessary step in reclaiming your sense of self. When you’re targeted, keeping silent can reinforce the bully’s power.”

Here are the five steps a student can take to confront and escape a bully, according to Hidden Strength:

1. Tell Someone
   The first step is finding someone they trust – be it a parent, teacher, or friend – and sharing what is happening. Speaking out breaks the silence that bullies rely on, offering victims a crucial support system. Adults can step in to help mediate, report, or remove the threat, ensuring the child feels heard and supported.
2. Act Confident
   Bullies often target those they perceive as vulnerable. By projecting confidence, even when it’s difficult, children can disarm potential aggressors. Simple body language, such as standing tall, maintaining eye contact, and using a firm voice, can deter bullies from continuing their behavior.
3. Block & Report
   On social media, the block and report functions are powerful tools. Blocking removes the bully from direct access to their account, while reporting ensures the platform takes action against harassment. Encouraging children to use these features helps them reclaim control over their digital space.
4. Walk Away
   Physically or digitally leaving a situation can often diffuse tensions. Walking away from a bully denies them the reaction they seek, signaling that their words or actions hold no power. Online, logging off or leaving a group chat achieves the same purpose.
5. Tell the Bully to STOP
   When safe to do so, standing up to a bully can be effective. Using a calm but firm voice to say, “Stop. I don’t like that,” can send a clear message. Setting boundaries signals strength and makes it clear their behavior is unacceptable.

“While confronting the situation may initially seem overwhelming, it’s important to remember that your voice is vital. Finding the courage to speak up, even if it’s just one word or action at a time, is the first step toward reclaiming your confidence and asserting that your boundaries deserve to be respected,” asserts Lunny.

Bullying robs children of their well-being and a fundamental sense of safety. By addressing it with compassion and a clear plan of action, we can empower victims and work toward a society where every child can thrive without fear. Stopping a bully is not just about ending harm, it’s about restoring hope and dignity to those who deserve nothing less.