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School Bullying and Cyberbullying

Three teenagers in plain casual clothes walking together and chatting along a tree-lined path in a British town on a bright day.

Bullying is never your fault, and you do not have to deal with it on your own. This page explains what bullying and cyberbullying are, the signs to look out for, what young people can do, how parents and carers can help, how to report bullying to a school, and where to find support in the UK.

Please read first

Sixpence Support UK provides general information and a starting point. We are not a legal service, a medical service, a school, a safeguarding authority or an emergency service. We cannot investigate bullying, contact a school or the police for you, or give legal or medical advice.

If you are worried about a child or young person, please speak to the school, your GP, the police or one of the organisations listed on this page. In an emergency, always call 999.

The basics

What bullying means

Bullying is behaviour that hurts someone, usually repeated over time, where the person doing it has some kind of power or advantage — for example age, size, popularity, numbers or information about the other person. It can happen at school, on the way to school, at clubs, at home or online.

Bullying can be physical, verbal, emotional or social. It may include:

  • hitting, pushing, tripping or other physical harm
  • threats, intimidation or making someone frightened
  • name-calling, teasing that does not stop, or humiliation in front of others
  • leaving someone out on purpose, or turning friends against them
  • spreading rumours or lies
  • taking, hiding or damaging belongings
  • discriminatory abuse, such as racist, disablist, homophobic, biphobic or transphobic comments
  • repeatedly targeting the same person, even in small ways

A single unkind comment or a one-off argument is not necessarily bullying, but it can still be serious and still worth reporting — especially if it involves violence, threats or discrimination.

Online

Cyberbullying

Cyberbullying is bullying that happens through phones, computers, tablets or consoles. It can happen on social media, in messaging apps, on gaming platforms, in group chats, through photographs and videos, or through fake or anonymous accounts.

  • abusive, threatening or mocking messages and comments
  • being deliberately left out of group chats, teams or online games
  • photographs or videos shared or edited to humiliate someone
  • fake profiles set up to impersonate or embarrass someone
  • pressure to share personal or sexual images, or threats to share them
  • “pile-ons”, where several people target one person at once

Cyberbullying does not stop at the school gates. It can continue in the evenings, at weekends and during holidays, which is one reason it can feel relentless. Schools can still act on online bullying between their pupils, even when it happens outside school hours.

Signs

Signs that a young person may be experiencing bullying

Every young person is different, and these signs do not automatically prove that someone is being bullied. Growing up brings plenty of ordinary ups and downs. What matters is a change from how someone usually is, or a pattern that keeps repeating.

  • changes in mood — being tearful, withdrawn, irritable or unusually quiet
  • not wanting to go to school, or feeling ill on school mornings
  • unexplained injuries, torn clothing, or belongings that go missing or get damaged
  • disturbed sleep, nightmares or trouble settling at night
  • pulling away from friends, clubs or activities they used to enjoy
  • becoming anxious or frightened about their phone, or hiding the screen
  • a sudden drop in confidence, or in schoolwork
  • changes in eating habits, or asking for extra money

You do not need proof to ask a gentle question or to raise a concern with a school. It is always all right to check in.

For young people

What a young person can do

None of this is your fault, and telling someone is not “telling tales”. These steps can help:

  1. Tell a trusted adult. This could be a parent, carer, another family member, a teacher, a form tutor, the head of year or the school’s designated safeguarding lead. If speaking out loud feels too hard, write it down or send a message.
  2. Do not retaliate, and do not arrange to meet or confront the person bullying you. It can make things worse and can put you in danger.
  3. Save the evidence. Keep messages, take screenshots, and note usernames, dates, times, what happened and who saw it.
  4. Block and report abusive accounts on the app, game or website, where it is safe to do so. Save the evidence first.
  5. Ask for help straight away if there are threats, violence, sexual images, blackmail, or pressure to meet somebody. Tell an adult you trust, and call 999 if you are in immediate danger.
  6. Keep speaking until someone takes it seriously. If the first adult does not help, tell another one — a different teacher, the head of year, the headteacher, a parent or carer, or Childline on 0800 1111.
Childline: bullying adviceReport Harmful Content
For parents and carers

What parents and carers can do

Hearing that your child is being bullied is upsetting. A calm, steady response usually helps them talk more openly.

Listening and responding
  • Choose a quiet moment and listen without interrupting.
  • Believe them, and thank them for telling you.
  • Avoid blaming your child, or suggesting they should have handled it differently.
  • Avoid promising to keep it secret — instead, agree together what happens next.
  • Do not contact the other child or their family directly; go through the school.
  • Reassure them that they are not in trouble and that you will help sort it out.
Keeping a record

A clear record makes it much easier for a school to act, and for you to follow up.

  • the date, time and place of each incident
  • what was said or done, in your child’s own words where possible
  • who was involved and who witnessed it
  • screenshots of messages, posts, usernames and profiles
  • any injuries or damaged belongings, photographed if appropriate
  • who you told at the school, when, and what they said they would do
  • the effect on your child, such as missed school, sleep or anxiety
Working with the school
  • Ask the school for a copy of its anti-bullying or behaviour policy — every school must have one.
  • Put your concern in writing as well as speaking to staff, so there is a record.
  • Ask what the school will do, who will do it, and when you will hear back.
  • Ask about practical steps, such as supervision, seating, breaktime arrangements or a safe place.
  • Arrange a follow-up date rather than waiting to see what happens.
Online and phone safety
  • Save evidence before blocking or deleting anything.
  • Use the reporting tools built into each app, game or platform.
  • Report Harmful Content can advise if a platform does not act.
  • Avoid taking the phone away as a first response — it can feel like a punishment and stop them telling you things.
  • Report anything sexual, or any grooming or blackmail, to CEOP, and to the police if there is a crime.
Reporting

Reporting bullying to a school

Schools in England must have measures in place to prevent all forms of bullying, and should take reports seriously. The usual route is to start with the person closest to your child and move up if the problem is not resolved.

  1. class teacher, form tutor or another member of staff your child trusts
  2. head of year, phase leader or pastoral lead
  3. designated safeguarding lead, especially where there is a risk of harm
  4. headteacher
  5. the school’s formal complaints procedure, if the matter is still unresolved
If the school does not resolve it: maintained schools

For a maintained (council-run) school, follow the school’s complaints procedure first, then the governing body. If you are still unhappy, you can complain to the local council, and in some cases to the Department for Education. GOV.UK sets out the correct order.

GOV.UK: complain about a school
If the school does not resolve it: academies and free schools

Academies and free schools are not run by the local council. Complain to the school first, then to the academy trust. If the trust does not follow its own procedure properly, you can escalate to the Education and Skills Funding Agency, as explained on GOV.UK.

GOV.UK: academies complaints route
If the school does not resolve it: independent (private) schools

Independent schools must have their own complaints procedure. Complain to the school first, then to the proprietor or governors. If the school is not meeting the independent school standards, you can raise it with the Department for Education or the relevant inspectorate.

GOV.UK: private school complaints

Complaint routes differ in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. If your child is at school outside England, check the guidance published by your own government or education authority.

The law

When bullying may be a crime

Most bullying is dealt with by schools rather than the police. But some behaviour can also be a criminal offence, whatever the age of the people involved. Examples include:

  • assault, or any physical violence
  • theft, or criminal damage to belongings
  • harassment, or repeated unwanted contact
  • hate crime linked to disability, race, religion, sexual orientation or transgender identity
  • threats to hurt someone
  • stalking, including online
  • blackmail, including threats to share images unless someone pays or does something
  • taking, sharing or possessing sexual images of a child

If you think a crime has happened, you can contact the police on 101, or through your local force’s online reporting service. Call 999 if someone is in immediate danger or a crime is happening now. Reporting online sexual abuse, grooming or exploitation can also be done through the CEOP Safety Centre.

Not every bullying incident is a police matter, and involving the police is not always the right first step. Schools, safeguarding leads and charities can help you decide.

Contact the police (101)CEOP Safety Centre
Equality

Discriminatory bullying and additional needs

Bullying is sometimes connected to who someone is, or who other people think they are. This can include bullying linked to disability, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, pregnancy, or other personal characteristics.

Schools have duties under equality law and should treat this kind of bullying seriously. It is worth saying clearly, in writing, if you believe bullying is discriminatory, because it may change how the school records and responds to it.

Disabled children, and children with special educational needs, are more likely to need extra support. They may find it harder to report what is happening, or to be believed. Reasonable adjustments can help — for example a named adult to talk to, a quiet place at break, help with communication, or support written into an education, health and care plan.

You can read more on our nursery and schools page, which covers SEND support and your rights.

Wellbeing

Mental health and emotional effects

Bullying can affect confidence, friendships, sleep, appetite, school attendance and mental health. Some young people feel anxious, low, angry or ashamed, and some stop wanting to leave the house. These reactions are understandable, and they can improve with the right support.

  • Talk to a trusted adult — a parent, carer, teacher or safeguarding lead.
  • Speak to your GP, or a school nurse, if worries are affecting sleep, eating or daily life.
  • Ask the school about pastoral support, counselling or a mentor.
  • Contact Childline on 0800 1111, at any time, if you want to talk it through first.
  • Use NHS 111 or an urgent mental health helpline if things feel like a crisis.

If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide or self-harm, please read our suicidal thoughts and crisis support page, or call Samaritans on 116 123.

NHS: advice for parentsNHS 111 online
Sources

Trusted sources and further help

The following are independent charities rather than government services:

Sixpence Support UK provides general information and a starting point only. This is not legal advice, medical advice or an emergency service. Helpline hours, web addresses and official guidance can change, so please check each organisation’s own website. In an emergency, always call 999.

People also search for: bullying, school bullying, cyberbullying, online bullying, bullied at school, social media bullying, bullying help, child being bullied, harassment at school and bullying complaint.

References
  1. [1] GOV.UK. Bullying at school · 2026
  2. [2] GOV.UK (Department for Education). Preventing and tackling bullying · 2026
  3. [3] GOV.UK. Complain about a school · 2026
  4. [4] GOV.UK. Complain about a school: private schools · 2026
  5. [5] NHS. Mental health advice for parents of children and young people · 2026
  6. [6] NHS. Where to get urgent help for mental health · 2026
  7. [7] NHS 111. NHS 111 online · 2026
  8. [8] Childline (NSPCC). Types of bullying · 2026
  9. [9] NSPCC (independent charity). Bullying and cyberbullying · 2026
  10. [10] NSPCC (independent charity). NSPCC Helpline · 2026
  11. [11] CEOP Safety Centre (National Crime Agency). Report online sexual abuse or grooming · 2026
  12. [12] Report Harmful Content (SWGfL). Reporting harmful online content · 2026
  13. [13] Anti-Bullying Alliance (independent charity). Advice for children, families and schools · 2026
  14. [14] Samaritans (independent charity). Contact Samaritans · 2026
  15. [15] Police.uk. Contact the police (101 and 999) · 2026