5 Essential Tips for Bullying Prevention at School

Now that school is back in session, bullying concerns often resurface. Equip your children with these evidence-based strategies to prevent, recognize, and respond to bullying situations effectively.

The return to school brings excitement for many children—reuniting with friends, meeting new teachers, and diving into fresh learning adventures. However, for some families, this transition also brings anxiety about potential bullying situations. According to PREVNet (Promoting Relationships and Eliminating Violence Network), approximately 1 in 5 Canadian students report being bullied at school.

The good news? Bullying is preventable when children are equipped with the right tools, knowledge, and support systems. These five comprehensive strategies will help you prepare your child for a successful, safe school year while building their confidence to handle challenging social situations.

1. Foster Open, Ongoing Conversations About Relationships

Create a Foundation of Trust

Bullying prevention starts at home with honest, age-appropriate conversations about relationships, respect, and personal boundaries. Rather than having one “big talk,” weave these discussions naturally into your daily routines throughout the school year.

Key conversation starters:

“Tell me about your friends at school. What makes them good friends?”
“Has anyone ever made you feel uncomfortable? How did you handle it?”
“What would you do if you saw someone being mean to another kid?”
“How do you show respect to your classmates, even when you disagree?”

Teach Healthy Relationship Skills

Help your child understand what positive relationships look like by discussing:

Characteristics of healthy friendships:

Mutual respect and kindness
Accepting differences and boundaries
Resolving conflicts through communication
Supporting each other during difficult times
Having fun together without putting others down

Red flags to watch for:

Friends who consistently make them feel bad about themselves
Pressure to do things that feel wrong or uncomfortable
Being excluded, ignored, or deliberately left out
Name-calling, threats, or physical aggression
Having personal information or secrets shared without permission

Model Respectful Communication

Children learn more from what they observe than what they’re told. Demonstrate healthy conflict resolution in your own relationships by:

Using “I” statements when expressing frustration
Listening actively to others’ perspectives
Apologizing sincerely when you make mistakes
Setting clear boundaries respectfully
Treating everyone with dignity, regardless of differences

Age-Appropriate Discussion Guidelines

Elementary age (6-10 years): Focus on simple concepts like kindness, including others, and telling trusted adults when something feels wrong.

Middle school (11-13 years): Discuss more complex social dynamics, peer pressure, and the difference between conflict and bullying.

High school (14+ years): Explore topics like digital citizenship, relationship dynamics, and being an upstander in various social situations.

2. Learn to Recognize the Warning Signs

Understanding Behavioral Changes

Every child expresses distress differently, and recognizing the subtle signs of bullying can help you intervene before situations escalate. Remember that “all behaviour has meaning”—sudden changes often indicate your child is struggling with something significant.

Physical Warning Signs

Unexplained bruises, cuts, or damaged clothing
Frequent headaches or stomach aches, especially before school
Changes in eating habits or loss of appetite
Difficulty sleeping or frequent nightmares
Coming home with missing or damaged belongings

Sudden loss of friends or social connections
Reluctance to go to school or participate in activities
Decreased self-esteem or negative self-talk
Increased anxiety, especially around school-related topics
Mood swings, irritability, or withdrawal from family
Fear of using school bathrooms or walking alone in hallways

Academic and Behavioral Changes

Declining grades or loss of interest in schoolwork
Difficulty concentrating or completing homework
Skipping classes or asking to stay home frequently
Changes in route to/from school or reluctance to take the bus
Acting out or displaying aggressive behavior at home

When to Take Action

Trust your parental instincts. If you notice multiple warning signs or any dramatic changes in your child’s behavior, it’s time to:

Have a direct but gentle conversation with your child about what you’ve observed
Contact your child’s teacher or school counselor to gather additional information
Document incidents with dates, times, and detailed descriptions
Collaborate with school staff to develop an appropriate response plan
Consider professional support if your child is showing signs of depression, anxiety, or trauma

3. Develop Cyberbullying Awareness and Response Skills

Understanding the Digital Landscape

Cyberbullying affects approximately 25% of Canadian students and can happen 24/7, making it particularly challenging for children to escape. Unlike traditional bullying, online harassment can follow kids home, involve larger audiences, and leave permanent digital evidence.

The Four-Step Cyberbullying Response Plan

Teach your child this simple but effective approach:

Step 1: Stop

Don’t respond or retaliate immediately
Take a screenshot or photo of the harmful content
Step away from the device to process emotions

Step 2: Block

Block the person sending harmful messages
Report the content to the platform (Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, etc.)
Adjust privacy settings to prevent future contact

Step 3: Tell

Inform a trusted adult immediately (parent, teacher, counselor)
Share the evidence you’ve collected
Don’t feel embarrassed or ashamed—it’s not your fault

Step 4: Save

Keep screenshots as evidence
Don’t delete the original messages yet
Document dates, times, and platforms involved

Prevention Strategies for Online Safety

Teach digital citizenship principles:

Think before posting—would you say this face-to-face?
Keep personal information private
Use privacy settings on all social media accounts
Never share passwords with friends
Report inappropriate content immediately

Create a family media agreement that includes:

Approved apps and websites
Time limits for device usage
Consequences for misusing technology
Rules about sharing photos or personal information
Agreement to talk to parents about any uncomfortable online experiences

Platform-Specific Safety Tips

Instagram: Use private accounts, limit who can comment, and block unknown followers TikTok: Turn on restricted mode, review who can send direct messages Snapchat: Only accept friends you know in real life, be cautious about location sharing Gaming platforms: Use parental controls, monitor voice chat, report inappropriate behavior

4. Empower Your Child to Be an Upstander

Moving Beyond Bystander Behavior

Research shows that when peers intervene during bullying situations, the behavior stops within 10 seconds 57% of the time. Teaching your child to be an “upstander” rather than a bystander can significantly impact school climate and prevent future incidents.

Safe Intervention Strategies

Direct intervention (when it’s safe to do so):

“That’s not okay. Stop it.”
“Come on, let’s go somewhere else.”
“Hey [target’s name], want to sit with us?”

Indirect support:

Getting help from a trusted adult
Supporting the targeted student privately after the incident
Refusing to join in or laugh at harmful behavior
Using humor to redirect the situation (without making fun of anyone)

Building Courage and Confidence

Help your child develop the confidence to speak up by:

Role-playing different scenarios at home, practicing various responses to bullying situations

Discussing personal values and how standing up for others aligns with your family’s beliefs

Celebrating examples of upstander behavior when you see them in books, movies, or real life

Acknowledging that it’s scary but emphasizing that doing the right thing often requires courage

Teaching Situational Awareness

Help your child understand when direct intervention is appropriate and when adult help is needed:

Safe to intervene directly:

Verbal bullying with no physical threat
Social exclusion or mean comments
Minor conflicts between peers of similar size/age

Requires adult intervention:

Physical violence or threats
Significant size or age differences
Weapons or dangerous objects involved
Situations involving drugs, alcohol, or sexual harassment

Creating a Supportive Network

Encourage your child to:

Build friendships with kind, inclusive peers
Join activities or clubs where they can meet like-minded students
Identify trusted adults at school (teachers, counselors, coaches)
Practice inclusive behavior by inviting others to join activities

5. Build Self-Esteem and Emotional Resilience

The Foundation of Bullying Prevention

Children with strong self-esteem and emotional resilience are less likely to be targeted by bullies and more likely to seek help when problems arise. Building these qualities requires consistent effort and genuine connection with your child.

Strengthening Your Child’s Self-Worth

Celebrate effort over achievement:

“I’m proud of how hard you worked on that project.”
“You showed real perseverance when that was challenging.”
“I noticed how kind you were to your classmate today.”

Acknowledge their unique qualities:

Point out their specific talents and interests
Value their opinions and ideas
Encourage them to pursue activities they enjoy
Help them recognize their positive impact on others

Create opportunities for success:

Involve them in age-appropriate household responsibilities
Encourage participation in sports, arts, or volunteer activities
Set achievable goals and celebrate milestones
Teach new skills that build confidence

Developing Emotional Intelligence

Help your child identify and name emotions:

“You seem frustrated. Can you tell me more about that?”
“It’s normal to feel nervous about new situations.”
“What would help you feel better right now?”

Teach healthy coping strategies:

Deep breathing exercises for anxiety
Physical activities to release stress
Creative outlets like drawing or writing
Talking to trusted friends or adults

Model emotional regulation by:

Expressing your own feelings appropriately
Showing how you cope with stress and disappointment
Apologizing when you make mistakes
Demonstrating empathy for others

Creating a Supportive Home Environment

Establish predictable routines that provide security and stability

Make time for one-on-one connection with each child regularly

Limit criticism and focus on constructive feedback that helps them grow

Show unconditional love while still maintaining appropriate expectations and boundaries

Encourage open communication by being available and approachable when they need to talk

Strong social skills protect children from bullying and help them build positive relationships:

Practice conversation skills:

Making eye contact and active listening
Asking questions and showing interest in others
Sharing appropriately about themselves
Reading social cues and body language

Teach conflict resolution:

Using “I” statements to express feelings
Finding compromise and win-win solutions
Knowing when to walk away from unhealthy situations
Seeking help from adults when needed

Creating School-Wide Change

Working with Your School Community

Bullying prevention is most effective when families and schools work together. Consider these ways to get involved:

Join or advocate for comprehensive anti-bullying programs that focus on prevention rather than just consequences

Volunteer for school activities that promote inclusion and positive relationships

Support teacher and staff training on bullying prevention and response

Advocate for clear, consistent policies that are communicated to all students and families

Supporting Other Families

Share resources and information about bullying prevention
Model inclusive behavior at school events and activities
Encourage your child to include others who might be left out
Approach other parents with kindness if conflicts arise between children

When to Seek Professional Help

While many bullying situations can be resolved with school intervention and family support, some circumstances require additional professional assistance:

Consider counseling or therapy if your child:

Shows signs of depression, anxiety, or trauma
Has thoughts of self-harm or hurting others
Experiences significant academic decline
Develops school phobia or refuses to attend school
Shows persistent behavioral changes after interventions

Professional resources include:

School counselors and social workers
Community mental health services
Private therapists specializing in children and adolescents
Pediatricians who can assess for anxiety or depression

Creating Lasting Change Together

Bullying prevention requires ongoing commitment from families, schools, and communities. By implementing these five strategies consistently, you’re not just protecting your own child—you’re contributing to a culture of respect and kindness that benefits all students.

Remember that building these skills takes time and practice. Be patient with your child as they develop confidence and competence in handling social challenges. Celebrate small victories, learn from setbacks, and maintain open communication throughout their school journey.

Most importantly, continue reminding your children that they are loved, valued, and supported. When children feel secure in their worth and know they have trusted adults in their corner, they’re better equipped to navigate the social complexities of school life with confidence and resilience.

Every child deserves to feel safe, respected, and included at school. By working together, we can make this vision a reality for all Canadian students.